Dr. Sacha Nemcov & Larry King – Southern California Medical Cannabis Pioneer, Cannabis Advocate and Entrepreneur
1,096Who’s Who of Cannabis: “Dr. Sacha”
By Madison Miller
LA WEEKLY
Once Larry King lays a nickname on you, it sticks – just ask “Dr. Sacha,” his longtime friend, and business associate. Dr. Sacha Nemcov is a Hollywood psychotherapist, turned cannabis advocate and entrepreneur. Dr. Sacha received his nickname from Larry King for being one of the pioneers of the movement in Southern California to provide safe access to medical cannabis in accordance with Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, passed by the people of California in 1996.
Photo: Dr. Sacha Nemcov and Larry King
A powerful advocate for mainstreaming medical marijuana and beloved by numerous Hollywood celebrities for almost a decade, all-the-while maintaining his privacy, Dr. Sacha decided to come forward following a controversial appellate court case he was entangled in, following a October 2017 issue of USA Today about marijuana churches in America.
In the piece, Larry King takes journalist Dorian Keyes to visit Dr. Sacha at his private practice in Beverly Hills. On the wall is countless photos of celebrities Dr. Sacha helped acquire their first letter of recommendation for the use of medical marijuana. Though no longer a novelty since California’s Prop 64 legalized the adult use of cannabis, many cannabis users still keep their expired letters as a souvenir.
Dr. Sacha has come a long way since being a junior intern at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He was inadvertently thrust into the world of medical marijuana in 2009. A close friend approached him, knowing he is always one to help. He had bad news, having been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Now, he was having serious trouble holding down the chemo pills. Dr. Sacha spent countless nights researching at USC’s Norris Medical Library with very little information available. This was during a time when medical school curriculums did not include cannabis and only a limited amount of studies were available; most of which were empirical or inconclusive. His friend learned that medical marijuana might be the only way for him to hold down the pills. Despite great efforts, he was unable to find a physician in Southern California who would even discuss medical marijuana as an option. Everyone was afraid of losing their medical license. Ironically, the few physicians who did write prescriptions for marijuana, were also not comfortable providing guidance as to what dosage one should take and unknowing of the potential side effects.
Eventually, Dr. Sacha found a physician in the San Francisco Bay Area who was amenable to the subject. They flew to Northern California to meet him. Not only were his friend’s medical needs addressed, but Dr. Sacha was able to convince the physician to open up his practice in L.A. one day per week. However, there was a catch – Dr. Sacha would have to run the location, and handle all of the business and administrative matters.
He agreed, and the first medical marijuana physician’s office in Beverly Hills was born. The demand was huge and within nine months he had helped 6 physicians open up their own offices.
California is the largest legal “weed” market in the world; making it easy for Californians to take for granted the easy access to a wide range of marijuana products. But medical marijuana patients need their medicine – and even today marijuana still cannot be found at local pharmacies – only “dispensaries.”
In addition to consulting with countless Hollywood celebrities, politicians, and entertainment executives, Dr. Sacha has consulted for many dispensaries and businesses in California and across the country, including Oregon, Illinois, Florida and Massachusetts to pass the strenuous statewide permitting process. Among his many professional accomplishments, he has helped launch a “Nugs For Needles” compassion program in San Francisco, which provides free cannabis for the homeless, in exchange for drug needles.
Since stepping into the spotlight in 2013, Dr. Sacha has become a household name in the cannabis industry. “Over the past decade, I have seen the industry grow to astronomical levels. I just hope that the work that I and others have done will help those who truly need it. Whether it is for someone battling cancer, or an adult who simply wants to enjoy nature’s healing plant”.
