A Beginner’s Guide To Visiting A Marijuana Dispensary For The First Time

Updated 2023 Edition

With the spread of cannabis legalization, many people are yet about to learn about it for the first time. If legalization just happened in your state, you’ll also be new to the wonderful treat that is visiting a cannabis dispensary.

Cannabis dispensaries are essentially retail shops that sell a variety of marijuana and related products, such as edibles, vape pens, topicals, concentrates, and much more. Depending on the rules where you live, all dispensaries are regulated by the state though the level of such will vary. That’s why dispensaries also vary in terms of how much you can buy or what they can sell to you. That said, it’s important to do some research on the cannabis laws in your state before you visit a dispensary for the first time.

What To Bring

You may need to bring some documentation with you before you visit a dispensary, again, depending on the laws in your state and the type of dispensary you are visiting.

If you are visiting an adult-use or recreational dispensary because you live in a state that allows the sale of such, bring a government issued ID with a photo, such as your driver’s license. This will be needed to verify your age as well as proof of residency – without an ID, visitors won’t be allowed to shop. Each state has their own laws governing how much recreational cannabis can be purchased by residents as well as out-of-state visitors.

On the other hand, if you are visiting a medical cannabis dispensary, you’ll need a medical marijuana card beforehand. Bring it along together with your state-issued ID every time you visit a dispensary. Keep in mind that medical marijuana cards can only be used within the issuing state.

A majority of adult-use and medical marijuana dispensaries around the country operate on a cash-only basis. Bring enough cash with you. There are rare situations when a dispensary may accept a debit or credit card, but most don’t, so arrive prepared with enough cash on hand.

What Are You Looking For Out Of Your Visit?

Before you visit a dispensary for the first time, it would be good to have a think about your objectives when it comes to cannabis. You’ll see that the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming for a first-timer, which is why it greatly helps to understand why you are there in the first place.

The good news is that dispensary staff have already been trained to help people just like you. Budtenders have the training and background to help consumers like you. There are a few things to think about:

Why are you buying cannabis?

Are you trying to obtain relief from an ailment or condition, such as anxiety, insomnia, stress, headaches?

Do you want cannabis that uplifts and energizes, or sedates and relaxes?

What form of cannabis do you want to consume? Smoked, eaten, vaped?

If you enjoy smoking cannabis, what flavors do you like? Flowers come in an array of aromas including citrusy, floral, candy-like, pine-like, and more.

Dispensary employees will be able to give you recommendations based on these questions, but they may even probe more to give them a better idea of the best products for your needs. No matter what your experience level is, whether you have smoked pot in the past or not, there is a product out there for you.

It’s also important to think about the type of experience you are after. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive compound of marijuana, and it’s what causes the high. Most people are after the intoxicating effects of THC but remember that they come in various intensities; cannabis flower ranges from 15 to 30% THC usually while potent cannabis concentrates may contain up to 90% THC.

Additionally, THC also has its own valuable medicinal benefits, so getting intoxicated is merely part of the experience if you want to treat insomnia, depression, pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of appetite, and many other ailments. Budtenders or physicians can recommend specific THC dosages and products for medicinal marijuana card holders too.

On the other hand, there are people who are only interested in the relaxing, non-psychoactive effects of CBD (cannabidiol). It doesn’t get you high, but CBD products are the perfect choice for those struggling with anxiety, insomnia, and stress.

Over time, you can get more acquainted with different cannabis strains and even learn to distinguish various cultivars based on their terpene and flavonoid content.

Things To Remember During Your Visit

Your first time visiting a cannabis dispensary may be confusing or overwhelming. However, remembering certain etiquette and rules will make your visit memorable:

• Always be respectful to budtenders and any staff you encounter. They will ask for identification, so be prepared with it beforehand;

• Research local cannabis laws before your visit so you aren’t taken by surprise;

• Give other customers privacy and respect them in the same way you would as visiting a hospital or a pharmacy;

• Feel free to ask budtenders questions courteously and respect their rules – such as not allowing visitors to handle products without prior permission from them.

Conclusion

Arriving at a dispensary prepared and having done your homework will help you feel more confident during your visit. It also helps to approach the whole experience with an open mind; you will likely learn something new with every visit.

Keep in mind that each visit to a cannabis dispensary presents an opportunity to learn much more about this valuable medicinal plant that many of us already consider to be an essential part of our everyday lives. Treat the experience as such, and it will be rewarding each time.

FIRST TIME BUYING WEED? READ ON…

FIRST TIME BUYING WEED, CHECK OUR GUIDE HERE!

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, an organization formed by a state lawmaker in Nebraska, is optimistic that the third time will be the charm and that medical cannabis will be legalized in the state.

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) turned in two petitions to the secretary of state’s office on Thursday in an effort to start the 2024 election process as Sen. Anna Wishart’s (D) reform measure remains stuck in committee.

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana’s Third Attempt

In Nebraska, proponents of the drug are attempting a third time to have voters decide the matter. They gathered sufficient signatures to get it on the 2020 ballot, but the state Supreme Court disqualified the proposal because of a legal issue with its single subject. They also failed to gather the necessary number of signatures for updated petitions in 2022 as a result of a large loss of essential money.

Co-chair of the NMM campaign, Crista Eggers, stated in a news release the need to consistently petition the government. She emphasized the Legislature’s defiance in the face of tremendous support from more than 80% of Nebraskans across political lines, geographic regions, and age brackets.

“We have consistently come up empty-handed after more than ten years of advocating, educating, and attempting to follow the right channels through our elected leaders in the Unicameral,” Eggers said. “As a result, we will once more turn to voting as our means of advancement.”

Regarding the newly submitted petitions, Senator Wishart confirmed that the language remains the same as in 2022. She mentioned that the Secretary of State’s office would legally review the petitions.

Renewed Efforts and Revised Petitions for 2024 Ballot

The senator’s proposed legislation on medical cannabis underwent a hearing in the Judiciary Committee of the unicameral legislature in February but has not made any progress. She attributes the lack of action to changes in membership and turnover within the committee. A previous bill version faced a filibuster in the Republican-controlled legislature, ultimately leading to its stagnation.

Regarding the 2024 ballot effort, Wishart expressed determination, stating that they would file again. She believes perseverance is vital to success; every setback they encounter only strengthens their resolve.

Wishart also highlighted their experience from the previous year, where they realized they didn’t have to rely solely on a major donor for success. She expressed optimism about their achievements with over a year of collection time. They gathered 180,000 signatures in just three months through a volunteer-led effort with limited resources.

One of the initiatives submitted by the campaign on Thursday aims to ensure legal protection for doctors who recommend cannabis and patients who use and possess it. The initiative focuses on patients and seeks to establish a state statute that exempts them from penalties under state and local law when they possess limited quantities of cannabis for medical purposes with a written recommendation from a healthcare practitioner. Additionally, it allows caregivers to assist qualified patients in these activities.

The second measure proposes the creation of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, which would be responsible for registering and regulating individuals involved in the possession, manufacturing, distribution, delivery, and dispensing of medical cannabis.

To prevent potential legal obstacles similar to the single-subject challenge that hindered the previous reform effort in 2020, the complementary proposals have been carefully designed to maintain a narrow focus. The aim is to ensure that each initiative addresses a specific subject matter, minimizing the chances of derailment.

Despite the disappointment caused by the Nebraska Supreme Court’s ruling on the single subject issue in 2020, Adam Morfeld, co-chair of NMM and a former Nebraska senator, emphasized that the ruling provided valuable guidance for refiling a new initiative. After thoroughly examining the court’s decision, the campaign has developed two new statutory initiatives that they are confident will meet constitutional requirements.

To secure a spot on the November 2024 ballot, the campaign needs to gather approximately 87,000 valid signatures for each petition and submit them by July 5, 2024. Activists have announced their plan to commence a signature drive at the beginning of June.

Following the setback faced in 2022 regarding medical cannabis, there were initial considerations of pursuing an adult-use legalization initiative. However, the current focus of the strategy seems to be solely on medical marijuana.

Lessons Learned and Ongoing Challenges

There are just three states without a medical cannabis program, including Nebraska. However, the National Conference of State Legislators claims that some states have low-THC programs.

State Senator Anna Wishart speculated that there might have been an error the first time.

She said, “they sold themselves short when we thought we had to wait for a major donor. They fell short by less than 10,000 signatures on the two petitions last year. We accomplished that with volunteers in three months. Imagine what we can achieve in a year and a half.

In 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties, petitioners must also collect the signatures of 5% of the registered voters. They attempted to sue over that in the past but were unsuccessful.

Support from Medical Professionals and Patient Advocacy Groups

As a potential treatment for several medical problems, medical marijuana is receiving more and more support from physicians and other healthcare professionals. Medical professionals and patient advocacy organizations have significantly contributed to Nebraska’s current medical cannabis petition campaign. The campaign has received strong support from organizations like the Nebraska Medical Association and regional patient advocacy groups, who have highlighted the potential advantages of cannabis-based medicines for treating patients’ pain and enhancing their quality of life. Their backing gives the petition more authority and informs the public about medical cannabis’s therapeutic potential.

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana improves their argument for legalization by working with healthcare providers and patient advocacy organizations, highlighting the medical necessity and beneficial effects on patients’ lives. These professionals’ engagement strengthens the campaign’s legitimacy and gives it a powerful voice in promoting compassionate and fact-based healthcare solutions.

Bottom Line

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana is on its third attempt to legalize medical cannabis in Nebraska. Despite previous obstacles, the organization remains optimistic and determined in its pursuit. Supported by medical professionals, patient advocacy groups, and a dedicated team of volunteers, they aim to gather the required signatures to secure a place on the 2024 ballot. The proposed initiatives focus on safeguarding doctors and patients and establishing regulations for the medical cannabis industry. While challenges persist, the campaign draws inspiration from past experiences and the unwavering belief in the power of public support. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana continues to advocate for the advancement of medical cannabis, fueling hope for its legalization in Nebraska.

NEBRASKA KEEPS TRYING, READ ON..

NEBRASKA VOTES TO DECIDE CANNABIS LEGLIZATION THIS YEAR?

Sniping CNN’s Reefer Madness Article

One would think that in 2023, Reefer Madness articles would be essentially non-existent. However, here we are with CNN publishing some unscientific anti-reefer nonsense, most probably sponsored by their sugar daddies – Pfizer.

Nonetheless, it’s my duty as a cannabis activist to dismember the propaganda and show people just how insidious these media companies are. Even though no one really takes CNN seriously anymore.

Throughout this article, I’ll be breaking down specific parts of the original CNN article which can be found HERE in its entirety.

CNN:

Marijuana and other products containing THC, the plant’s main psychoactive ingredient, have grown more potent and more dangerous as legalization has made them more widely available. Although decades ago the THC content of weed was commonly less than 1.5%, some products on the market today are more than 90% THC.

The buzz of yesteryear has given way to something more alarming. Marijuana-related medical emergencies have landed hundreds of thousands of people in the hospital and millions are dealing with psychological disorders linked to cannabis use, according to federal research.

But regulators have failed to keep up.

Reginald:

Firstly, while there are some truths mixed within this opening statement, there are also plenty of falsehoods scattered about. For example, the statement that “Although decades ago the THC content of weed was commonly less than 1.5%, some products on the market today are more than 90% THC.”

This is inherently false. Most people did not smoke weed with 1.5% THC or less decades ago. There have always been the knowledge that “some cannabis strains are more potent”, and people knew this in the 1950s and 1960s. Cannabis has been around for thousands of years, and people have used it for its psychoactive properties.

In fact, the use and manipulation of the plant into its many forms have been intertwined with the fabric of our global society. Every culture at some point in time utilized cannabis as a medicine and for industrial purposes.

Therefore, the assumption that during the early 1900s up to the 1960s, there was no understanding of potency, selective breeding, etc – is ludicrous.

While it’s true that most weed available to the markets were either “ditch weed” which was low potency, or cannabis shipped from Mexico. Mexican weed does have a lower than average percentage of THC, however, you’d still see on average potency between 4.5% – 9%.

CNN:

Pot has changed profoundly since generations of Americans were first exposed to it.

Cannabis has been cultivated to deliver much higher doses of THC. In 1980, the THC content of confiscated marijuana was less than 1.5%. Today many varieties of cannabis flower — plant matter that can be smoked in a joint — are listed as more than 30% THC.

At one California dispensary, the menu recently included a strain posted as 41% THC.

Legalization has also helped open the door to products that are extracted from marijuana but look nothing like it: oily, waxy, or crystalline THC concentrates that are heated and inhaled through vaping or dabbing, which can involve a bong-like device and a blowtorch.

Today’s concentrates can be more than 90% THC. Some are billed as almost pure THC.

Reginald:

While it’s technically true that there was low THC in the 1980s – the confiscated cannabis were often left in dismal conditions. Testing wasn’t done immediately. THC degradation happens immediately and don’t be fooled – they did NOT test for THC as stringently as they claimed.

During the 1980s, THC was not their main concern. Look at the D.A.R.E PSAs and you’ll see that they didn’t talk about THC. They talked about “marijuana” or “pot” in general terms because the average consumer wasn’t too savvy about the lingo.

Of course, there was certainly a culture of breeders that were creating more potent strains via selective breeding – the fact of the matter was that law enforcement data integrity on the subject matter is very shotty to say the least.

Additionally, recent research has pointed out that a vast majority of advertised or listed cannabis potency is oftentimes over exaggerated. Realistically, most potent strains sold in dispensaries sit between about 15%-20% .

Furthermore, cannabis consumers tend to regulate their consumption. If they buy high potency cannabis, they tend to consume less of the substance. Therefore, even the mention of potency is irrelevant for the majority of consumers. However, the mainstream wouldn’t say this.

This doesn’t mean that there aren’t “problematic” consumers, but it does mean that CNN is wilfully using alarmist rhetoric to hype up the “challenges” of the industry.

CNN:

Higher concentrations pose greater hazards, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. “The risks of physical dependence and addiction increase with exposure to high concentrations of THC, and higher doses of THC are more likely to produce anxiety, agitation, paranoia, and psychosis,” its website said.

In 2021, 16.3 million people in the United States — 5.8% of people 12 or older — had experienced a marijuana use disorder within the past year, according to a survey published in January by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

That was far more than the combined total found to have substance use disorders involving cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, prescription stimulants such as Adderall, or prescription pain relievers such as fentanyl and OxyContin.

Other drugs are more dangerous than marijuana, and most of the people with a marijuana use disorder had a mild case. But about 1 in 7 — more than 2.6 million people — had a severe case, the federal survey found.

Reginald:

Firstly, cannabis has always been consumed more than the other drugs combined. Secondly, the vast majority of the “16.3 million people” were “older” than the age of 18. In fact, if you take a look at the statistics, you’ll notice that there have been a decline in use within younger generations.

While college use has risen, 18 & under has seen a slight decline.

Secondly, “Marijuana Use Disorder” is a loose term. You have to smoke like 2 joints a week to be considered “an addict” which makes anyone who is “busted with weed” essentially “addicted” according to this rhetoric.

Finally, even this article admits that the vast majority of consumers don’t have a negative experience. And their line of questioning ends there.

Why didn’t they ask, “Why did the 6 out of 7 have a good experience?” What where the differences between these people? Did it have anything to do with set and setting, history of psychotic disorders, etc?

All of these issues have practical solutions, but when you drum the “alarmist” drum, you can’t hone in on the actual important elements, you have to keep the ethereal boogieman in the center frame so that you can continue to operate with impunity.

CNN:

Uneven State Regulation

Medical use of marijuana is now legal in 40 states and the District of Columbia, and recreational or adult use is legal in 22 states plus D.C., according to MJBizDaily, a trade publication.

Early in the covid-19 pandemic, while much of America was in lockdown, marijuana dispensaries delivered. Many states declared them essential businesses.

But only two adult-use states, Vermont and Connecticut, have placed caps on THC content — 30% for cannabis flower and 60% for THC concentrates — and they exempt pre-filled vape cartridges from the caps, said Gillian Schauer from the Cannabis Regulators Association, a group of state regulators.

Some states cap the number of ounces or grams consumers are allowed to buy. However, even a little marijuana can amount to a lot of THC, said Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, a professor of health policy, economics, and law at the University of Southern California.

Some states allow only medical use of low-THC products — for instance, in Texas, substances that contain no more than 0.5% THC by weight. And some states require warning labels. In New Jersey, cannabis products composed of more than 40% THC must declare: “This is a high potency product and may increase your risk for psychosis.”

Reginald

It’s true that due to cannabis prohibition on a federal level, there is no universal regulation. However, the evidence linking high potency cannabis caps and the impact on people consuming them is limited.

Whether it’s legal or not – high potency cannabis is now a thing. Meaning, people will get it iether on the black market or the legal market.

The truth of the matter is that if you are going to “cap” how much cannabis you can buy under the guise of public safety, shouldn’t that apply to alcohol which has a  higher body toll than cannabis?

Alcohol is tied to 40% of all violent crimes and domestic abuse. If there’s a candidate to “limit” in terms of potency, and availability it’s alcohol.

Yet the reason we don’t do this is due to the  failed experiment of prohibition. We know that if you limit or try to prohibit certain goods – the black market steps in.

Therefore, the best approach is education. Teaching people “how” and informing them of the risks. Creating protocols for those who have “gone over the edge” and provide them with the tools to get back on track.

CNN:

The FDA has “all the power it needs to regulate state-legalized cannabis products much more effectively,” said Lindblom, the former FDA official.

At least publicly, the FDA has focused not on THC concentrates derived from cannabis or weed smoked in joints, but rather on other substances: a THC variant derived from hemp, which the federal government has legalized, and a different cannabis derivative called cannabidiol or CBD, which has been marketed as therapeutic.

“The FDA is committed to monitoring the marketplace, identifying cannabis products that pose risks, and acting, within our authorities, to protect the public,” FDA spokesperson Courtney Rhodes said.

“Many/most THC products meet the definition of marijuana, which is a controlled substance. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulates marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. We refer you to the Drug Enforcement Administration for questions about regulation and enforcement under the provisions of the CSA,” Rhodes wrote in an email.

The DEA, part of the Justice Department, did not respond to questions for this article.

Reginald:

That’s because, for anyone who understands how the FDA and the DEA operate, they are the gatekeepers to legalization. It’s because of this catch-22 situation that exists between the DEA and the FDA.

They have used this system for decades to stagnate research, stop any attempts of decriminalization, de-scheduling, etc.

While the FDA could regulate cannabis, I’d rather not. Since the pandemic, we have seen that the FDA is essentially an extension of big pharma. We have enough historic evidence to at the very least suggest a “heavy collaboration” between the regulatory body and those they “allegedly” regulate.

From a consumer perspective, the trust in the FDA is  at an all time low. We know more about how they operate now especially due to how they handled the pandemic.

Therefore, it would be best to create a special regulatory agency apart from the FDA. Under what scheduling is alcohol and tobacco again?

CNN:

In the meantime, said Coleman, adviser to the National Cannabis Industry Association, states are left “having to become USDA + FDA + DEA all at the same time.”

And where does that leave consumers? Some, like Wendy E., a retired small-business owner in her 60s, struggle with the effects of today’s marijuana.

Wendy, who spoke on the condition that she not be fully named, started smoking marijuana in high school in the 1970s and made it part of her lifestyle for decades.

Then when her state legalized it, she bought it in dispensaries “and very quickly noticed that the potency was much higher than what I had traditionally used,” she said. “It seemed to have exponentially increased.”

In 2020, she said, the legal marijuana – much stronger than the illicit weed of her youth – left her obsessing about ways to kill herself.

Once, the self-described “earth-mother hippie” found camaraderie passing a joint with friends. Now, she attends Marijuana Anonymous meetings with others recovering from addiction to the stuff.

Reginald:

Then Wendy the earth mother should grow her own cannabis shouldn’t she? After all, she is an “earth mother”. And why would she suddenly be attending a marijuana anonymous meeting? If she’s been smoking all her life, then she had access to cannabis pre-legality.

Meaning that she has a direct link to her “OG” weed.

Something just smells way too fishy with these unprovable sob stories about weed grannies and teenagers losing their shit because of the “potent weed” when 6 in 7 have no issue with high potency weed according to the very article.

This is a tactic that was used by Randolph Hearst when he tried to smear cannabis. He invented these stories that “could be true” and since he owned the newspapers, he didn’t have to prove it to be true.

CNN, being a tool for Pfizer would most certainly advocate against cannabis for the sole reason that legalization of cannabis equals massive loss of potential revenue for pharma.

Furthermore, people often times “red pill” themselves when they smoke weed, especially, when they learn about the messed up history of cannabis prohibition.

Therefore, from what I see from this article is no different than from what Hearst and DuPont wrote about cannabis in the 1930s leading up to Reefer Madness..

The Sticky Bottom line

At the end of the day, I think that most people don’t take CNN too serious anymore. Nonetheless, they spam this into the psyche of the masses which forms social opinions. This is why I take it upon myself to eviscerate their propaganda and show a more nuanced version of the truth.

CNN AND CLICKBAIT CANNABIS HEADLINES,  READ ON…

MARIJUANA AND SENIORS, CNN GOES CLICKBAIT, AGAIN!