First time in a dispensary (what to expect)

What to expect

Your first time at a dispensary can be overwhelming – can anyone go inside a dispensary, what should you buy, what are you allowed to buy, what’s the difference between weed from a dispensary vs street weed and more. And there are also things that you will want to know before heading out, such as what to bring, what to expect when you get there, how much you’re legally able to purchase and more. 

When buying marijuana at a dispensary it’s essential that you understand the dispensary rule, and understand what you’re purchasing and how it will affect you. This is why choosing one that is knowledgeable and friendly is the best dispensary for first time patients. They will help you to understand the products, understand the process and make you feel at ease.

Here is everything you’ll need to know about going to a dispensary for the first time:

buying-marijuana-at-a-dispensary
buying-marijuana-at-a-dispensary

How do you buy weed?

When you are making your purchase at a dispensary there are some things that you’ll need – your ID, your medical card and money. Your state regulations will limit the amount of weed that you can purchase at one-time.   

You’ll need to talk with the budtender to get your weed, since it will be something that they need to get for you. This is going to be the best time to talk with the dedicated budtender about the variations of bud that you have to choose from. They will be able to pull out samples for you to smell, discuss the best options based on your symptoms and the differe effects that you are looking for. While budtenders are not licensed professionals, they are generally knowledgeable about their products. Ask if they have a dispensary sample pack so that you can try a few different products at once.

How do dispensaries work?

Dispensaries can be intimidating to enter. Afterall, you’re walking into a store to purchase something that is federally illegal. Understanding how dispensaries work can put you at ease. Knowing what to look for, and which questions to ask in order to find  the best products to purchase. 

Here’s what you can expect on your first visit to a dispensary:

Expect to Be Carded

You will be carded regardless. So even if you are 80 years old you should always have your ID ready to display to make a purchase, so be sure to have your state-issued identification handy. And if you are purchasing medical marijuana you’ll need to have a medical card handy as well.

dispensary-sample-pack

What to know before you visit a dispensary

Before you rush out to visit a dispensary, here are some of the important things that you should know for the best experience.

Firstly, you’ll want to get in the right frame of mind. When you have the right mindset you’ll be able to get the most out of your visit. Many people become shy once they enter a dispensary. This is often the result of the perceived stigma attached to dispensaries. 

It’s your legal right to visit and purchase from a legal marijuana dispensary. This is no different than buying liquor from a liquor store. You should feel confident that you are legally purchasing products. 

Secondly, you’ll want to have a cannabis goal. This might not seem possible when you aren’t really sure what products they have to offer since you’ve never been to a dispensary before. But rather than focusing on the products you’ll want to take some time to think about how you want to feel when using marijuana and also how you do not want to feel. Different products provide different types of effects and discussing this with the budtender will help you find what you are looking for. 

While you can feel a bit overwhelmed speaking to a budtender it’s important that if this is your first time that you spend some time with them. Their knowledge of their products will help to guide you to finding the right products. Dispensaries sell more than just smokable medical marijuana. You’ll find a wide range of cannabis products that offer a variety of methods of ingesting them. So if you prefer not to smoke you will have no trouble finding a product that you can ingest without sacrificing effectiveness. Be sure to understand how long the product takes to kick in and how long the effects will last. 

Cannabis products come in a wide range of pricing. And how much it will cost depends on what you buy. You should be prepared to spend anywhere from $30 to $150 on your first purchase. Many dispensaries require cash, but often have an ATM located within the store if you forgot cash. 

what-to-buy-at-a-dispensary

Dispensary rules

Every state has their own dispensary rules. These are something that you’ll need to educate yourself on, but often you can discuss these rules with the dispensary employees.

Can you walk into a dispensary at 18?

If accompanied by an adult children under the age of 18 are allowed in a dispensary. 

How often can you go to a dispensary?

Medical card holders are allowed to purchase a specific amount of cannabis products based on their state’s limitations. However, you are able to go to the dispensary every day, but you are limited to purchasing up to the set limitation. For example in Florida you can purchase 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower within 35 days. 

Do you need a card to go to a dispensary?

Depending on what state you live in will depend on if you need to have a medical card or not. If your state has legalized recreational marijuana use you will not need a card, but you will need to have your state-issued ID. 

Does going to a dispensary go on your record?

No, dispensaries are not allowed to share your personal information including your purchases with any state or federal authorities.

At Verts Neighborhood Dispensary, not only do we carry a variety of products, but we also take pride in our knowledge and customer service as well. We understand how overwhelming it can be your first time and we will happily discuss our products with you so that you understand exactly what you are getting and how it will affect you.

Scroll to top