In states where cannabis has been legalized, marijuana dispensaries are cropping up all over. If you haven’t had the chance up until this point to visit one of these mythical establishments, you’ve probably got a lot of questions.
Making the trip to a marijuana dispensary for the first time can be both an exciting and a nerve-racking experience. What was once a shady undertaking, accompanied by the ever-present fear of getting busted, is now done legally and out in the open.
These days, cannabis is legal in some form or another across over half the United States. If you are fortunate enough to be in one of these forward-thinking States and plan to visit a dispensary, it’s a good idea to come prepared. Shopping at a dispensary isn’t as straight-forward as walking into the gas station and buying a pack of gum.
To make the most of your first visit, continue reading to learn what to expect inside a marijuana dispensary:
A Budtender Will Help You With Your Marijuana Purchase
Unlike when you walk into a department store or supermarket, shopping at a marijuana dispensary is not self-serve. It is a curated experience, presided over by a budtender.
If you are unfamiliar with what a budtender is, they are the person who helps you make your purchase. They’re there to help answer any question you have and are usually quite knowledgeable when it comes to cannabis strains, uses, and considerations.
In the rare case where your budtender is not up to date on the products available at your chosen dispensary, there’s no need to worry. Marijuana dispensaries are required to provide the following information for all products they sell:
- >Strain names
- >Contaminant testing results
- >Warnings
- >Ingredients
- >License numbers
- >Batch numbers
Check out the website of the dispensary you’re going to visit. Read up on the various products available before you make your visit. This way, you have an idea of what you are looking for, and know what to ask once it’s your turn to speak with the budtender.
There May Be A Wait
It’s common for there to be a wait at marijuana dispensaries. In most states, it’s required that only one customer is served at a time. So you may have to wait around while others ahead of you do their shopping.
You’ll Have To Provide ID before Buying Cannabis
Regardless of whether you are a medical marijuana patient or a recreational buyer, you’ll be required to provide a valid state-issued ID. It doesn’t matter how old you look, or how often you’ve visited, you can be sure that an ID is required to make a purchase.
If you have a medical marijuana recommendation, bring that along as well, and make sure that it is still valid. To make things go a smoothly as possible, have both of these ready for when it’s your turn to shop.
You Should Probably Bring Cash to Pay for Marijuana
Most medical marijuana dispensaries only deal in cash payments, unfortunately. Be prepared, and bring along enough cash to make your purchase.
This isn’t by choice, in most cases. There are restrictions and federal laws in place that make banking for marijuana companies incredibly difficult. Try shooting the dispensary you’re heading to an email, or give them a call to check and see what payments they accept so you don’t end up leaving empty-handed.