If you’re a newbie to the marijuana dispensary scene it could be overwhelming. The number of legal medical marijuana dispensaries is on the rise so trying to find a dispensary that provides high-quality marijuana and has a helpful staff that’ll guide you during your visit can be difficult. While there are many options when selecting a medical care center to buy from we want to make sure you know what to look for when you head to a dispensary.
Proposition 215
It’s essential for a dispensary to abide by the proper health and safety regulations. If you go to a dispensary and they don’t ask for your rec card- a piece of paper certifying that an actual doctor looked at you and sees marijuana as a necessity for what ails you- then you’re definitely in a shady spot. In the state of California, this adult version of a doctor’s note is needed in order to legally purchase and consume cannabis.
Health & Safety
It’s important that each dispensary take the necessary steps to ensure the marijuana sold is handled correctly, grown using the right cultivation methods and stored properly. It’s also necessary that the marijuana is sold in a clean environment, but that should be a given. Also be sure that the dispensary records each transaction with a Point of Sale system. This details information on the buyer and the product sold. Without a written policy that outlines the steps it will take to ensure that no more than the allowed amount of retail marijuana product is sold to one person in a day the dispensary could be facing compliance issues.
Quality
Now this one is a big one. You don’t want to walk into a seemingly legit dispensary only to get home and discover that the product is bad quality. That being said you won’t know how good the quality is without trying it first.
It’s a Catch 22, or it would be if nifty sites like Weedmaps, Yelp, or Leafly didn’t exist. These sites provide great word of mouth reviews from users who have purchased from local dispensaries. Just type in your location and you’ll be able to see where dispensaries are located in your area. This makes it easier to select a quality location.
Selection
Variety is the spice of life. You should notice that the dispensary you’re visiting has a variety of products. From traditional flowers, to edibles, to balms and more. This allows you to find out what works best for you. The dispensary should also have a variety of strains for you to choose from. Whether you prefer indica, sativa or a hybrid blend – all varieties should be available to you. When you’re buying, information should be displayed next to each product. The information should include things like the THC level, CBD level, and in some cases the expected ‘high’ you will get. All in all, a dispensary with at least 25 or more strains is also going to give you a better chance of finding the best combination of quality and price.
Price
Sold illegally, marijuana can be priced at $20 a gram. However, at a legal dispensary you can get a gram for as low as $15 a gram. However, keep in mind that weed prices vary from dispensary to dispensary, depending on the strain. Make sure the dispensary you choose is not overcharging for a quality of product you can get cheaper somewhere else.
