You're new to cannabis and want to test it, so it's time for your first trip to a dispensary. While this may appear to be a daunting experience, with a little planning and some helpful hints, your first visit may be a good one.
Here are a few of our best recommendations for making the most of your first dispensary visit.
1. Understand What You'll Need to Bring
Cannabis regulations differ per state, depending on whether medicinal or recreational usage is legal. Here's a high-level overview of both scenarios:
Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary - Across the country, millions of Americans have gotten a medical marijuana card. If you are one of them, bring your card and a valid state-issued ID with you to each visit. Remember that medical marijuana card are usually only valid in the state where they were granted. Check more about medical marijuana card here.
Adult Use Dispensary - Bring a valid state- or government-issued picture ID if you live in a state that authorises the sale of recreational marijuana. Varied states have different restrictions about how much out-of-state tourists may buy, so verify local laws before you go.
Most dispensaries accept cash only, so pack cash or plan on utilising the ATM inside. (Most cash-only dispensaries have ATMs available, but if yours does not, it is preferable to carry cash with you.)
2. Understand Your Cannabis Objectives
Trying to figure out what you want to buy at a dispensary may be rather daunting! While you may absolutely question a bud tender or pharmacist once you're there, it's best to arrive prepared with knowledge of your cannabis objectives. To get you started, consider the following questions:
What Do You Hope to Gain From Cannabis? The first step in determining which product is best for you is to determine why you're visiting a dispensary in the first place. This will most likely differ depending on whether you use medicinal marijuana or recreational marijuana. Medical marijuana cardholders are often seeking for solutions that can assist with a variety of illnesses. In certain states, certified practitioners may restrict the sorts of items a patient can purchase based on their condition. However, recreational users may be more interested in THC's psychoactive properties or experimenting with different strains to better understand how they influence your body.
How Would You Like to Consume Cannabis? Knowing how you prefer to consume marijuana might make it much easier to select a cannabis product. If you like to smoke or vape, for example, you'll want to hunt for flower or other forms of concentrates such as oil cartridges, wax, bidder, and more. If you like to consume your cannabis, you should look at edibles and cannabis beverages. If you don't want to consume or inhale cannabis, a tincture may be the way to go because you can absorb it sublingual or bucolically (under the tongue or through the cheek, respectively).
When do you intend to use cannabis? You must consider this while selecting a product if you want to ingest cannabis while being functioning throughout the day. If you want to eat in the evenings, you can hunt for a product that meets your requirements. Knowing when you want to use cannabis might help you choose the right strain.
What Kind of Experience Do You Want? Some people are curious about THC's psychotropic properties. If this is the case, a vape cartridge or consumable may be all that is required to obtain the desired outcomes. Other marijuana enthusiasts are intrigued by the plethora of cannabis and terseness found in this one-of-a-kind plant. If this describes you, you'll probably prefer marijuana flower over a concentrate, edible, or tincture.
3. Be Prepared to Interrogate
If you're a seasoned cannabis user, you can go online, examine a dispensary menu, select a few items, order them online, and pick them up curbside (yes, that is possible with many dispensaries). However, if you are new to cannabis, don't be hesitant to stroll into a dispensary and ask the cannabis specialists questions.
While glancing at product menus might give you a better sense of what's available and allow you to conduct your own research, nothing beats talking to an expert about your degree of comfort and what you're interested in. They can not only assist you in locating the appropriate cannabis product, but they can also assist you in purchasing the appropriate cannabis-related tools.
Here are a few additional things to think about as you prepare for your visit:
Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid - Some users believe that Sativa and Indica strains have distinct effects, but a hybrid is, you got it, a cross between the two. Many people prefer to use sativa during the day and indica at night when it comes to indica versus sativa. You could have a different experience, so test a tiny bit of any cannabis product at a time to see how it affects you.
THC, CBD, or Both - In addition to the many cannabis strains, there are also varying quantities of the two major cannabinoids present in marijuana: THC and CBD. THC is a cannabinoid that is responsible for marijuana's psychoactive characteristics. CBD does not provide an intoxication effect, although there is some evidence that CBD can counteract some of the effects of THC. As a result, while selecting a product, consider the THC and CBD levels. A greater THC percentage usually signifies a stronger outcome, however the effect THC has on your body relies on a number of factors such as gender, weight, and tolerance levels.
Do you want to know more about cannabinoids? We also have a guide for it!
Finally, if you're looking to buy certain strains, dispensaries will often market the traits that these strains are cultivated for. This can help new cannabis users better grasp how they will feel after ingesting that strain. It is, however, not assured. Keep this in mind while making a purchase.
4. Learn How to Dose Cannabis
If you are a newbie, there is one bit of dosage advise we can provide you: Begin slowly and gradually. Nothing is more painful than inadvertently taking more marijuana than you intended, which is especially simple to do while smoking, vaping, or consuming some types of edibles.
Always begin with a modest dose and allow your body time to metabolise the substance. This is especially crucial with edibles, which are easy to use but can be difficult to dose correctly. It is advised that you wait an hour before ingesting additional edibles. When it comes to smoking and vaping, you usually know within 15 minutes whether you are feeling the consequences.
More Frequently Asked Dispensary Questions
You've probably got a lot more questions concerning your dispensary visit. Here are a few things we frequently see, however keep in mind that bud tenders are there to assist you. Take your time and make sure you're happy with your purchase.
Can I have a nearby dispensary deliver my purchase to my house?
The delivery of cannabis differs by state. Adult-use jurisdictions such as California and Massachusetts, for example, allow delivery, and New York (medical-use only) allows patients to have their order delivered to their house. However, cannabis delivery of any form is not permitted in Illinois (adult-use). You may always check with your local dispensary to see whether your state allows delivery.
What is the sales tax on my marijuana?
The taxation of medicinal and recreational cannabis sales varies by state. Additional taxes may apply based on the city, county, and so on. Your local dispensary may provide you with a summary of the taxes you should anticipate to pay for items in your state.
Can I inspect the cannabis flower before I buy it?
Another question with a state-specific response! Some states, including as Washington, allow cannabis goods such as flower and edibles to be displayed as long as they are sealed. Many other medical- or adult-use states, on the other hand, keep everything locked up in the back until the consumer has paid. When you visit the dispensary in your state, the local restrictions in this area should be rather evident.