How to Get Ready for Your First Dispensary Visit

Want to visit a marijuana dispensary for the first time? Fortunately, more people than ever now have access to excellent local dispensaries. The cannabis industry is growing across the United States and many states now allow cannabis for medical purposes, recreational use, or both. With that said, you’ll most likely have a few questions about what to expect from your first dispensary visit.

Visiting a dispensary is nothing to be concerned or nervous about. On the contrary, dispensaries are full of welcoming staff who are happy to help you. Medical dispensary staff can guide you through the products you need to help with your symptoms. Recreational dispensaries also have budtenders to help you find the greatest products for a sensational smoking or vaping experience.

Although visiting a dispensary can be fun and welcoming, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you visit. For instance, you’ll need to know how to find the right dispensary for your needs, what to bring, and what to expect from the in-store experience. Luckily, we’re here to help. Here’s a guide on how to get ready for your first dispensary visit.

Know Your Local Laws

Before gearing up to visit a dispensary, it’s worth brushing up on local cannabis laws. Each state sets different rules on buying and using cannabis. The most important thing to consider is who’s allowed to buy cannabis – some states only permit qualified medical patients to buy cannabis whereas others allow any adults aged 21 or over to buy cannabis from adult-use dispensaries.

Even if you can legally buy cannabis in your state, you’ll still need to consider some of the other rules and regulations. For instance, it helps to know about local possession laws. States set a limit on how much cannabis you can buy and carry at any one time. Usually, dispensaries will ensure you don’t buy more than you’re legally permitted to, but it still helps to know.

You should also check the laws about where and how you can use your cannabis products. Most states limit cannabis to private use, meaning you can only use them at home or in another private residence. New York allows adults to smoke cannabis in public, but only in certain spaces where tobacco smoking is permitted.

Other laws can also come into play. For instance, most states restrict users from opening cannabis products in public, even if they’re not actively using them. It’s also important to keep your products safe and private when you’re driving with cannabis in your car. For the most part, you won’t run into any trouble, but it still helps to know the law to avoid any hassle.

Medical vs. Recreational Dispensary: Which Is Better?

There are two types of cannabis dispensaries – medical and recreational (or adult-use). While anyone aged 21 or over can visit adult-use dispensaries in states where recreational cannabis is legal, only qualified medical marijuana patients can buy cannabis products from a medical cannabis dispensary.

Adult-use dispensaries are often known as recreational dispensaries or even just cannabis stores. These are open to all adults aged 21 or over, although you’ll need a valid form of identification to enter the premises. These are generally the best choice for cannabis consumers as you don’t need to take any extra steps to buy from them.

If you want to visit a medical dispensary, you’ll need to become a qualified medical marijuana patient in your state. You’ll need to have a qualifying condition and visit a medical marijuana doctor who will assess your symptoms. Once approved, you can then apply for a medical card online and visit medical dispensaries throughout your state.

In states where recreational cannabis use is illegal, you’ll need to obtain a medical card to buy cannabis from a dispensary. In states where recreational and medical use is legal, you may simply prefer to visit an adult-use dispensary. Medical dispensaries still have some other perks, such as lower taxes on products.

Find The Best Dispensary For Your Needs

Once you know what type of dispensary you want to visit, you should carry out some research to find the best dispensary in your area. You’ll want to find a highly-rated dispensary that offers the products you want as well as other perks for customers. For instance, New York residents will want to find a New York cannabis dispensary.

Google can often help you find the best dispensaries in your area. You might even want to use Google Maps to find the closest dispensaries. Make sure you check the reviews of each dispensary before visiting – you’ll want to ensure that the dispensary is highly rated by previous customers.

You might also want to ask your friends and peers. Many can point you to the best local dispensaries and give you their recommendations. Alternatively, you might want to use other websites and tools such as Leafly or Weedmaps to help you find dispensaries. As long as you’re in a state where marijuana is legal, you should find a good number of dispensaries.

If you’re a medical marijuana patient, you can often find a list of medical dispensaries on your government website. You might also receive recommendations from your medical marijuana doctor on the best place to visit to get medical marijuana products.

Check The Dispensary Menu Online

When you visit a marijuana dispensary, you’re free to browse the products on offer, ask staff members for help, and even get helpful recommendations from budtenders. However, sometimes stores are crowded or don’t have all of their products on display. That’s why it’s best to check your dispensary menu online before visiting.

Many dispensaries offer online menus so you can check out what they have to offer before visiting. Some dispensaries allow customers to order the products they want online before picking them up at the dispensary. Some even offer convenient online delivery. For instance, you can order marijuana for delivery in NY and DC from Purple Penthouse.

Browsing online dispensary menus is beneficial for various reasons. Dispensary websites often allow you to browse product categories to find the products you want. You can also sort products based on factors such as price, potency, and popularity. You can even check product descriptions and reviews to make informed buying choices.

Even if you plan on visiting a dispensary physically, it still helps to check their menu online. Take notes of the products you want and you can make the process of ordering cannabis much quicker and easier.

Don’t Forget To Bring ID And Cash

Fortunately, there’s not much you need to bring if you’re visiting a dispensary. There’s no specific dress code for visiting marijuana dispensaries and marijuana products are packaged and bagged safely so you don’t need to worry about storage. However, you will need to remember to bring your ID.

Every time you enter a recreational or adult-use dispensary, you’ll need to show some proof of identification that includes your photo, name, and date of birth. This is simply to prove that you’re old enough to legally buy cannabis. You can use your driver’s license, passport, or a similar form of photo ID such as a US military ID card.

If you’re visiting a medical dispensary, you’ll also need your state-issued medical card. This is to prove that you’re a qualified medical marijuana patient. Some states issue a temporary printed card or waiver that you can use to enter before you receive your medical card in the post. Whichever way, make sure you don’t forget to bring proof that you’re a qualified patient.

You should also bring cash. Many dispensaries across the United States are cash only due to federal limitations, so carrying cash is usually the best way to ensure you get the products you need. Some states accept credit and debit cards, although it’s less common. If you forget to bring cash and can’t use your card, you can always ask a member of staff to point you to the closest ATM.

Ask Budtenders For Help If You Need It

First-time dispensary visitors often don’t know much about cannabis products. Fortunately, this isn’t a problem. Whether you’re not sure what to buy or need some guidance on the best products for your needs, you can simply ask a budtender to help you with advice and recommendations.

Every dispensary features helpful staff members, including budtenders who are knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to cannabis products. You can ask them about different product types, how they work, and anything else you need to know. They can also give you specific recommendations based on what you need.

Medical dispensary budtenders are especially helpful when it comes to giving recommendations. They’ll have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the best ways to use cannabis and the most effective products for each symptom or issue. Recreational staff can be just as helpful, especially as many are passionate about marijuana and happy to share their advice.

Budtenders are used to getting all kinds of questions about cannabis, so don’t be nervous to ask anything you need to know. Checking online menus and doing a little research can also help if you want to be prepared before visiting.

Look For Discounts And Customer Rewards

Everyone wants to ensure they get the best value for their money, even when it comes to buying cannabis. Part of this comes down to finding dispensaries with high-quality products at good prices. However, you should also consider looking for product deals and customer rewards when you visit a dispensary.

Many dispensaries now have generous customer reward programs that help you get the most out of your cannabis purchases. For example, the Purple Penthouse VIP Program gives you loyalty points on every order, additional discounts, exclusive notifications, exciting gifts, and even $10 off your first order.

If you’re not sure whether your dispensary has a customer rewards program or how to sign up, you can simply ask when you enter. You can also check their website and sign up in advance – that way, you can ensure you start reaping the rewards from the first time you buy something.

Dispensaries often also have exciting product promotions. From seasonal discounts to flash sales, taking advantage of these events can help you get the best prices on your cannabis purchases. Once again, you can check your dispensary’s website or ask a budtender about current deals.

Be Responsible When Taking Products Home

Even when your dispensary visit is over, remember to act responsibly when taking your products home. Even in states with relaxed cannabis laws, there are still a few important rules to remember – especially when it comes to carrying cannabis in public.

Most states prohibit users from smoking in public or even opening cannabis products in public. While you might be excited about your latest buy, it’s best to stay on the safe side and keep your products safely packaged until you get home.

These laws also apply to carrying cannabis in your car. It’s best to keep your products closed and out of public view while you’re driving. You might want to put them in your trunk or your glovebox.

As long as you act responsibly and adhere to state laws, you have nothing to worry about. You can take your products home and enjoy them to your heart’s content. You can also visit marijuana dispensaries as much as you want to. After your first visit, you’ll want to visit many more times in the future.

Conclusion

If you’re planning your first dispensary visit, there’s no need to fret. With welcoming budtenders, plenty of exciting products to check out, and limited restrictions, visiting a marijuana dispensary can be a highly enjoyable experience. Just make sure to bring some ID and cash and respect your local laws.

While visiting a dispensary can be fun, some consumers prefer to get their marijuana delivered instead. Many states now allow cannabis consumers to order marijuana online for safe and discreet home delivery. If you’re looking for convenient cannabis delivery in New York or Washington D.C., you can order online from Purple Penthouse.