Cannabis Stores: What to Know on Your First Visit
More and more states are loosening restrictions on cannabis sales. As a result, you may be finding more cannabis stores popping up near you. You may never have set foot in a cannabis dispensary before, but never fear! In this post you’ll find what to expect on your first visit, what to do while you’re there, and what to do after you leave.
What to do Before you Visit the Store
As you may or may not know, cannabis laws vary widely by state. So, stores in each state may have different requirements and processes. The best first step, when you’re considering a trip to the cannabis dispensary, is to do a little bit of background research on what your state allows in terms of cannabis possession and use. One way to check on how your state regulates cannabis is to check on the state website. Another option is to reference the national conference of state legislatures by this link: https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx
One item that will almost certainly be required at the cannabis store in your state, will be proper identification. So, ensure that your ID is up to date before taking the trip to the dispensary. If you call the dispensary ahead of time, or check their website, they can let you know what the requirements are. Also, a list of acceptable identification documents can generally be found on your state’s website.
What to Expect When You Arrive at the Store
Again, state laws dictate exactly what the cannabis dispensary near you will be like, however there are some general things you should expect. One of those items is that there may be a wait while you are there. State laws permit only one customer to be served at a time (this is especially true when dealing with medical marijuana), so if it’s busy while you’re there, you may want to bring something to keep you occupied.
While the expertise of the salespeople in the cannabis shop will certainly vary, it’s good practice to ask questions of them and tell them exactly what you are looking for. They should be able to point you in a general direction in terms of what strain will help you achieve your goals.
What to do Once You’ve Left the Store
Doing something for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience. If you had a good experience on your first trip to the cannabis store, let the world know! Post a good review of the store online and let people know that you felt comfortable and the staff treated you with respect. In addition, send the management of the store a message to let them know that you like the way they are doing things. They appreciate these reviews more than you could ever imagine.
The same goes for if you had a bad experience. If you were made to feel dumb in asking the staff questions or if the signs and rules were unclear in the store, let the management know. No one should feel scared or belittled when attempting to get a product that they need or want.
Bottom Line
While everyone’s individual experience may vary, being prepared before you go, asking questions while you are there, and reviewing your experience after you leave, will make a first trip to a cannabis store a better experience for everyone.
