How Medical Marijuana Dispensary (MMD) Grew Into a Six-Store Cannabis Retailer Across California and New Jersey
Founded in 2006 by brothers Steve and Michael Ashbel, Medical Marijuana Dispensary (MMD) opened its first store in North Hollywood as a medical collective serving cancer and AIDS patients.
Twenty years later, MMD runs five California stores and one in Jersey City, New Jersey, and has spent its anniversary year raising money for the ALS Network.
MMD's first dispensary opened on Vineland Avenue in North Hollywood a full decade before California voters approved adult-use cannabis with Proposition 64.
Since then, the company has moved from non-profit collective to state-licensed adult-use retailer, opened a flagship on North Cahuenga Boulevard steps from Hollywood Boulevard, and added stores in Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, and Redwood City. Its sixth store, near Journal Square in Jersey City, came out of one of the first rounds of approvals from the city's Cannabis Control Board in 2022.
MMD at a Glance
- Founded: 2006 (celebrating 20 years in 2026)
- Founders: Steve and Michael Ashbel (brothers)
- First Store: North Hollywood, California
- Current Markets: California and New Jersey
- Locations: 6 stores in Hollywood, North Hollywood, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, and Redwood City, California; Jersey City, New Jersey
Built for the Sickest of the Sick
MMD's name still describes the business it was in 2006. Before cannabis retail was a mainstream category, the North Hollywood collective's customers were patients managing serious illness.
"When we opened, we cared for the sickest of the sick. Cancer patients. AIDS patients. We saw it all," said Sarah Dale, director of public affairs. "We never knew who would walk in the door next and what challenges they were facing. We welcomed everyone and cared for them like our family."
The company's founders were also part of California's early push for legal access, and MMD still treats advocacy as part of the job.
"As a California-founded company, we started as activists fighting for safe and legal access. Over the past 20 years, we continue to be at the forefront of advocacy for legalization nationally," Dale said. "The journey from a non-profit collective to adult-use sales has been incredible — challenging but completely worthwhile.
H.E.A.R.T. and a One-on-One Sales Floor
MMD runs its stores on a values framework it calls H.E.A.R.T.: Honesty, Empowerment, Agility, Respect, and Teamwork.
"We believe we have the strongest, most supportive team in cannabis, from budtenders and store-level management to our corporate support center," Dale said. "MMD is community-focused, inclusive, and here to serve."
When the Jersey City store opened, Michael Ashbel told Heady NJ he was "uncomfortable with the iPad shopping experience," and built the store around budtender conversations instead of self-serve ordering screens.
"We're all about the conversation. It's all about the 1:1 shopping experience," Dale told Heady NJ at the time.
MMD's staff are trained to talk through new products and trends as readily as a customer's personal needs or budget — the kind of service the company says makes its stores places "where your grandmother will feel comfortable shopping."
Twenty Years of Earned Trust
MMD's own answer to what sets it apart is history.
"History and service. Few stores can claim 20 years of consistent, superior customer service," Dale said. "The trust we have earned over 20 years, being a true legacy brand, is something you can't buy or fake. We are nothing without our loyal customers, and every day we have the honor of adding more people to the MMD family."
That trust extends past the sales floor. MMD is the only cannabis partner of the ALS Network and has raised money for organizations including the Last Prisoner Project, No Gray Areas, Project Educate, Kismet of Kings, and the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center.
The company also runs recurring fundraisers during Black History Month, Women's History Month, and Pride Month alongside brand partners, and individual stores run local programs, including beach cleanups in Marina Del Rey and food insecurity work in North Hollywood.
"High Hopes": MMD on Hulu
On April 20, 2024, Hulu released all six episodes of "High Hopes," a comedic workplace reality series executive produced by Jimmy Kimmel and made by Kimmelot and ITV America.
The show followed the Belarus-born Ashbel brothers, Slava and Mishka, and their staff at MMD's Hollywood flagship as they worked to grow the business.
"It was an incredible experience to document our business and introduce MMD to a worldwide audience," Dale said.
Slava Ashbel described the show's through-line to ABC7 around the premiere: "It's about loyalty and it's about family and just going through the ups and downs."
Marking 20 Years With the ALS Network
MMD kicked off its anniversary on 4/20 of this year and built much of 2026 around its ALS Network partnership. Through a campaign called Keeping Hope High, MMD stores collected point-of-sale donations for the ALS Network in April, May, and July, with brand partners Heavy Hitters, Papa & Barkley, and Almora.
The July push paired 20% off Almora products with 5% of all purchases going to the ALS Network. Customers who donated $10 or more unlocked a Papa & Barkley 60mL Body Oil, a $60 value, for $1.
"Our team is inspired by the future of cannabis and the future of MMD," Dale said. "Our team is especially motivated by and proud of the work we do with non-profits throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for organizations doing work to uplift the communities we serve."
MMD is running 20th-anniversary parties and specials across its California and New Jersey stores through the end of 2026, and its website lists a San Francisco location as coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions About MMD
What does MMD stand for?
MMD stands for Medical Marijuana Dispensary. The company opened its first store in North Hollywood, California, in 2006 as a medical cannabis collective.
Who founded MMD?
MMD was founded in 2006 by brothers Steve and Michael Ashbel.
Are Slava and Mishka Ashbel from "High Hopes" the founders of MMD?
Yes. MMD co-founders Steve and Michael Ashbel appear as Slava and Mishka in Hulu's "High Hopes," which premiered on April 20, 2024.
Where are MMD's stores?
MMD operates six stores: Hollywood, North Hollywood, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, and Redwood City in California, and Jersey City in New Jersey.
Does MMD have a dispensary in New Jersey?
Yes. MMD operates an adult-use dispensary near Journal Square in Jersey City.
Is MMD celebrating an anniversary?
Yes. MMD is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026 with parties and specials at its stores through the end of the year.
What charities does MMD support?
MMD is the only cannabis partner of the ALS Network and has also supported the Last Prisoner Project, No Gray Areas, Project Educate, Kismet of Kings, and the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center.
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