Legal cannabis dispensaries are chock full of products for nearly any consumer. While many weed fans are delighted by the diversity on dispensary shelves, beginners may feel overwhelmed.
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If you’re feeling intimidated by the idea of dispensary shopping but curious about what cannabis can do for you, fear not. Simply ask yourself these questions (and share the answers with your friendly neighborhood budtender) to determine which weed products are right for you.
Question one: how do you want to feel?
If you can only answer one thing on this list, your desired effects should take precedence. Many cannabis products are formulated with specific use cases in mind (such as sleep or pain relief). Knowing what you want cannabis to do for you will help dispensary staff point you in the right direction.
Just remember that every person is different, and individual results may vary. The best thing is to journal your experiences with cannabis—take note of how things make you feel and what’s working for you (or not). This can be extremely helpful for future shopping trips. It can also come in handy if you travel to a different state since they may have other brands than you’re used to seeing.
Question two: what’s your preferred consumption method?
Long gone are the days when your cannabis choices were limited to what you wanted to smoke out of or what type of weed brownie you wanted to make. Nowadays, pot comes in various forms: good old flower, concentrates (aka dabs), gummies, granola, drinks, capsules, tinctures, topicals, and suppositories.
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Before you go to a dispensary, consider what consumption method feels right. There are many pros and cons to each. For example, inhalation is fast-acting but not the best for your lungs. Edibles are convenient and discreet but take longer to kick in (and may hit harder). Don’t be afraid to ask your budtender about these different ways to imbibe.
Question three: what’s your budget?
The price of legal cannabis also varies, depending on things like product type and location. Nobody likes sticker shock at the register, so be sure to set a budget before your shopping trip. Also, remember there may be additional taxes and fees charged at the register, so ask your budtender if the prices displayed include all taxes.
Question four: do you have any allergies or dietary restrictions?
This question is more for folks planning to purchase edibles, drinks, or tinctures. If there are ingredients you’re trying to avoid (gluten, sugar, animal byproducts), be sure to make it known. Check the label of anything you intend to purchase to ensure it’s right for you.
Side note for the vegans: most cannabis is cultivated using some type of animal ingredient. Veganic weed is a thing, but it’s relatively rare.
Question five: where will you take your cannabis?
You may feel like this is an odd question, but it matters. For example, if you intend to medicate and go camping, you should know that smoking is often banned in national parks. Therefore, consider sticking to edibles. Need to keep fast-acting medicine on hand to avoid anxiety at the big family reunion (but don’t want a lingering smell?) Vape pens or tinctures may be the move.
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If there are children in your home (or where you’re going), be sure to keep your cannabis in a child-proof, locked box.
Shopping for legal cannabis doesn’t have to be scary, even if it’s unfamiliar. The plant is here to help us—and so are the budtenders working at the local dispo. They’ve heard it all and will not judge you no matter what questions you ask. At the end of the day, they want you to have a comfortable experience—ask the questions above, and you’re sure to find the best pot possible for you.
