Going to a dispensary can be a fun experience where you browse through a wide selection of cannabis products and leave feeling satisfied. But it can also be intimidating and confusing if you’ve never been before. Here’s what you need to know about visiting a dispensary for the first time, to come prepared.
What Do I Need to Buy Weed at a Dispensary?
Visiting a dispensary is not that different from visiting a liquor store. To buy recreational cannabis, you need a few things:
- To be over 21 years old
- To have a state or federally-issued ID card with your date of birth
- A debit card or cash
Once you have that, you’re prepared to visit. Exactly what happens when you visit a dispensary visit depends on where you live.
In some states and rural areas, you may be able to enter the dispensary and show your ID at the register. But in most states, you’ll go through a multi-step process of showing your ID to several people. It’s not unusual to show your ID to get in the door, when you meet your budtender, and again at checkout. Keep it ready to go to keep this process moving!
Shopping out of state? Don’t worry – out-of-state licenses are still valid forms of ID to buy weed.
Once you’re inside, the fun begins. Most dispensaries have a large offering of cannabis products, from dozens of flower strains to prerolls, edibles, drinks, concentrates, and vapes. This selection can make you feel like a kid in a candy store – or totally overwhelmed by options.
Best Products for Cannabis Beginners
Keep your purchases simple. If you don’t want to dive into the confusing world of cannabis strains and rolling your own joints, don’t! A vape pen or edibles can be a great place to start.
Vape Pens
Vape pens offer a wide variety of strains, from sativa and indica blends to strain-specific concentrates. These products allow you to enjoy the rapid onset of effects that you get with smoking but with no smoke or burning “weed odor.”
If you don’t enjoy the taste of cannabis, vapes are a great option. Airo’s Artisan vape series is all about flavor, so you can enjoy delicious and unusual flavor combinations that give you the cannabis relief you’re looking for, without the weed taste.
You can easily hit the pen whenever you need a little cannabis boost, without committing to smoking an entire joint or bowl. Vapes are also discreet and don’t smell like “weed” which makes them good options if you need to keep your canna-consumption on the down low. Simply turn your vape on, wait for it to reach temperature, take a hit, and turn it off again. Simple, fast, and inconspicuous.
Cannabis vapes contain concentrates and can be quite potent. Start low and go slow when trying a new vape to ensure you don’t overdo it.
Edibles
Edibles are incredibly popular cannabis products – and for good reason. The dosage is listed on the package so it’s easy to be precise with how much you take, they taste delicious, they’re discreet, and can be enjoyed at any time.
Some edibles are made to help you feel energized and uplifted while others are perfect for sinking into bed at the end of a long day. No matter what experience you’re looking for, there’s an edible for that. Our Oria gummy series offers you a range of options, with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids like CBN and CBC.
The most common dosages for edibles are 5 mg and 10 mg. 10 mg can be a large dose for a new consumer, but luckily, edibles are easy to cut into halves or quarters to lower your dosage (and make your edibles last longer!)
Tips for Visiting a Dispensary for the First Time
Budtenders are your friends
Depending on where you’re shopping, you may be assigned a budtender after you pass through the entrance area. This budtender can help you sort through your options, identify goals for cannabis consumption, and make navigating the process easier.
If you’re not assigned a budtender, don’t be shy about asking for help! Budtenders are usually people who love weed and talking about weed. There are no silly questions about cannabis, especially if you’re visiting a dispensary for the first time. Take your time and ask all the questions you need – comfortability is an important part of having a positive cannabis experience.
Check online menus
If you’re worried about being overwhelmed, you can explore a dispensary’s menu online first. This helps you get an understanding of the products they have in stock, and the selection of your preferred product type, and allows you to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the offerings.
Focus on feeling over strains
Focus on how you want to feel, not the strain or product. Cannabis products have a wide range of effects, from relaxation and sleepiness to appetite stimulation, relieving pain, and euphoria. Going into a dispensary with a goal in mind helps you cut through the clutter and focus on products that can help you achieve that. Sharing your goal with budtenders is a great way to answer the “indica, sativa, or hybrid?” question.
Come during downtime
Visit during off-hours. Like all businesses, dispensaries have their busy times, especially after 5 pm and weekends. If you want more time to chat with someone and explore your options, plan your visit for a slower time, like right after opening or mid-day.
Check their payment methods
Dispensaries have specific rules regarding payment. Federal prohibition of cannabis makes it challenging, and most dispensaries don’t accept credit cards. Some only accept cash while others can take debit cards. Check online first to come prepared with the proper payment method.
Read the reviews
Like all businesses, dispensaries get reviewed. If you’re nervous, do some research into a dispensary’s reviews before visiting. Dispensaries are often designed for specific personalities, be it the classic stoner vibe, an elevated bougie vibe, or an approachable corner store vibe. You can check cannabis-specific platforms like Leafly and Weedmaps, or look at their Google reviews to ensure you’re visiting a dispensary with helpful, supportive staff that fits your vibe.
Expect security
Don’t be surprised to see a guard at your local dispensary. Cannabis still carries a high street value, and working with large volumes of cash puts these businesses at risk of being robbed. Security guards are often posted at the entrance or in the dispensary to ensure the safety of you and the budtenders. In many states, dispensary security guards can be armed, but don’t worry – they’re there to keep you safe.
FAQs About Visiting Recreational Dispensaries
Are there limits to how much weed I can buy at once?
Yes, there are limits to how much you can buy at once from dispensaries. These purchase limits vary by state. Some are large (like New York, where you can buy up to 3 ounces of flower and 24 grams of concentrates) and some are small (like Connecticut, where you can only buy a quarter ounce at once.)
You don’t really need to worry about purchase limits – the budtenders know the limits and cannot process a transaction over the legal purchase limit, so they will let you know if you come close or go over.
Can I buy weed with a credit card?
Not usually. Federal banking regulations make many large credit card companies wary of cannabis transactions. There are some dispensaries that accept credit cards, but it’s a good idea to come ready with cash or a debit card, as these are the most commonly accepted payment methods.
Do weed products go on sale?
Yes, many dispensaries offer regular discounts and deals on products. This may look like a BOGO deal on vapes, a discount on a specific type of edibles, a first-time visitors discount, or a loyalty program.
