As “weed stigma” weakens, more adults are purchasing pot for the first time. In fact, a 2021 Gallup Poll shows that 49% of Americans now admit to trying marijuana at least once. The number of adults identifying as “occasional” and “frequent” marijuana users have also been rising.
Although millions of customers are itching to try marijuana, many are afraid to visit a dispensary for the first time. Even though state-licensed dispensaries are legal in cannabis-friendly states, non-tokers may feel out of place in this environment. Plus, as the variety of weed products expands, it’s easy for people to feel overwhelmed. While it may not feel “natural” to visit a dispensary, there are tips newcomers could use to have a stress-free shopping experience.
Nervous About Visiting A Dispensary? Keep These Tips In Mind
Before heading out to your local dispensary, it’s a good idea to research recreational and medical cannabis laws. The more time you spend reviewing your state’s weed policies, the more comfortable you’ll feel purchasing legal cannabis. Be sure to pay attention to max daily limits on marijuana, special taxes, and requirements for THC percentages.
While you’re looking up cannabis laws in your state, be sure to do a bit of research on beginner-friendly cannabis strains and products. Typically, new customers should stick to marijuana strains with low THC concentrations to minimize the risk of paranoia. Read what other users have to say about specific cannabis hybrids and see if these flavors & effects line up with your preferences.
After conducting plenty of online research, you should know what to look for in your dispensary. Remember to bring a government-issued photo ID (e.g., a driver’s license) and plenty of cash as you head to your nearest cannabis store.
Understandably, legal cannabis businesses take compliance extremely seriously. Please have your ID ready to show to employees. Also, since cannabis is illegal at the federal level, it’s usually easiest to pay for your items with cash. There may be some cases where dispensaries offer discounts for alternative payment methods like crypto, so double-check the company’s policy before checking out.
While you’re not required to tip budtenders at a dispensary, it’s common courtesy to give a little extra to employees who go above and beyond. If your budtender helped you find the perfect strain, consider adding 5% – 10% to your order as a “thank you” bonus.
Pro Tip: There Are Other Ways To Get Legal Weed!
For some MMJ patients, visiting a brick-and-mortar dispensary can be incredibly challenging. Anyone who uses medical cannabis for mobility-related issues or mental health conditions should consider researching their state’s caregiver program. If you have a valid MMJ card, registered caregivers can purchase and deliver cannabis to your doorstep.
For recreational users, there are also more options for buying marijuana online. The weed eCommerce space is picking up steam in many cannabis-friendly states. So, if you’re struggling to get to a physical dispensary, it’s worth checking out the latest cannabis offerings online.
