The Big Apple has become a thriving hub of cannabis culture, consumption, and community for both tourists and residents alike. Fortunately, weed has been decriminalized in New York for adults aged 21 years and older to buy, transport, consume, carry, and possess up to three ounces of weed and 24 grams of cannabis concentrates.
This has allowed dozens of weed dispensaries to flourish, get licensed, and provide weed consumers with high-quality and tested products that follow regulations and improve customer’s shopping experience. Being a beginner weed customer or tourist in New York can be intimidating at first, but with the right knowledge and tips, you can empower yourself to come prepared and make the right, informed choices when looking for weed in the city.
Here are 5 things to know before buying cannabis products in New York:
Buying Weed from A Dispensary
While each dispensary has its own model of operation, buying weed in New York usually begins with entering the store and waiting for a budtender to assist you. You don’t need to book in advance and you will need an ID card verifying that you’re aged 21 and older to be allowed inside. This also applies if you’re a tourist visiting a weed store in New York.
Depending on how busy the store is, you could be asked to stand in a line or sit in a waiting area so the New York weed dispensary can control the number of weed customers in the shop at a time. This is part of the security protocol that provides you with an individualized customer experience. Once it’s your turn, you will be shown around the store by an expert budtender who will answer your questions, show you different weed products and information, and process your payment when you’re ready to buy.
Weed Dispensary Etiquette
These are the ‘unspoken’ social rules that you are expected to adhere to as a customer when you’re buying from a weed dispensary in New York. The etiquette is designed to enhance the safety, consideration, customer satisfaction, and overall buying experience of all patrons in the store at the same time.
The most important etiquette to know when buying cannabis products in New York is to not take photos inside to protect the privacy and discretion of your fellow buyers and to exercise patience until it’s your turn inside the shop. It’s also better to come alone or with as few people as possible and maximize your time with a budtender while keeping in mind not to take too long as other weed customers are waiting for their turn in the shop.
What Can New York Cannabis Shops Sell?
A licensed weed dispensary in New York is authorized to sell a variety of products that are produced and manufactured by distributors and cultivators within the state. This means you’re unlikely to find some of your favorite California and West Coast cannabis goods and brands in a weed shop in Queens, NY for instance.
Regulations only allow for weed in New York to be legally sold in New York state. This however is unlikely to limit your options are weed shops are bursting with a large assortment of cannabis products for smokers and non-smokers. These include gummy edibles, and food products like cannabis-infused chocolate slabs, snacks, beverages, mints, and capsules and tinctures. There are also flower, prerolls, vape carts, pens, and concentrate extracts for weed smokers. You can also find accessories to support your cannabis consumption such as dab rigs, disposable carts, batteries and charging cables, lighters, rolling trays, and many more.
You Can Have Weed Delivered
Cannabis dispensaries in New York have begun offering weed delivery services within a designated delivery zone. This means you can have weed sent to the doorstep of your residential address or a guest home from your nearest weed shop on the same day if you order during opening hours.
In many cases, weed delivery can be free of charge if your purchase is above a minimum threshold spent. If you’re a tourist staying in a hotel, check beforehand if you’re allowed to have weed delivered to your room to stay with the law. You can order weed directly from a dispensary’s online store menu and you can expect the packaging to be plain and discreet to respect your privacy.
How To Pay For Weed In New York
Since cannabis is still unlawful under federal law, most debit and credit card bureaus don’t allow for cannabis purchases, which means these cards won’t always work to buy weed. Due to this, cannabis store in New York mostly operate as cash-only businesses and have ATM’s inside the store in case you need to withdraw the right amount of money.
When ordering online for weed delivery, many stores accept cryptocurrency or use third-party payment systems that have a greater chance of processing a debit card. The best dispensary in New York will offer you a variety of payment methods whether you’re buying in-store or through their e-commerce platform, to make your buying experience seamless.
Conclusion
The most important knowledge to know before buying weed products in New York concerns the laws, dispensaries, and what is expected from you as a customer. This includes where you’re allowed to have cannabis delivered, how to maintain etiquette at a dispensary, how to pay for your weed, and what weed products you’re allowed to buy.
Following these practices while bringing an ID, the right amount of money, and browsing through the dispensary menu ensures you have a smooth buying experience while adhering to the law so you don’t run into any obstacles. With these tips, you can enjoy your time visiting a weed store and finding the right goods to suit your tastes.
