5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Visiting A Marijuana Dispensary

By The Fresh Toast's Maria Loreto, provided exclusively to Benzinga Cannabis.

A good dispensary should be a welcoming place for everyone. Here are some things to keep in mind before you patronize one.

One of the best aspects about legal marijuana is its dispensaries, which can inform newcomers and seasoned consumers on the types of cannabis that exist and the products that best suit their needs.

But no matter a budtender’s level of expertise or way of communicating with costumers, it helps significantly if you know a few basics. Here are five questions you should ask yourself before making your first visit to a marijuana dispensary:

Do you live in a legal state?

Basic stuff, sure, but the more states legalize marijuana the easier it is to lose track of them. As of this writing, recreational marijuana is legal in 11 states and D.C., allowing adults over 21 to enter their marijuana dispensaries and purchase products. Here’s a handy list that’s updated regularly to keep you in the loop on our nation’s state-by-state marijuana laws.

What kind of cannabis do you want to consume?

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Now that you know if your state is legal or not, it’s time to do some research and see which type of marijuana you’re interested in consuming. You can smoke flower, soak in some cannabis infused bath salts, dab, vape, eat an edible and more. Know the answer to this question or ask your budtender for more information on each method, learning which one suits your needs best. Depending on what method you chose, this is how long you’ll be high.

What effect are you looking for?

Most methods have specific strengths when it comes to how they affect your body. If you’re looking into medical marijuana, you might find better information by contacting a doctor who’s educated in the area versus a budtender who may or may not know your ailment and what you’re looking for. For starters, here’s a doctor’s general guide to help you find the best method of consuming medical marijuana.

How psychoactive do you want to get?

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Depending on your tolerance, strain and method of consumption, marijuana’s effects on mind and body can shift drastically. You should be clear with your budtender about your level of experience with the plant so that they can provide you with the proper product and dosage. It’s also important to be clear about the experience you’re seeking, whether you want some pain relief or are just looking for a fun experience with friends.

How discreet do you want to be?

Discretion varies from person to person. Some people are able to openly use dab rigs in their living room while others have to consume something less conspicuous. For those who don’t want to attract attention, edibles, vape pens, sublinguals and transdermal patches are great options.

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