Your first dispensary visit can feel like walking into a restaurant where the menu is in another language. It does not have to. A little preparation turns a confusing wall of products into a short list of sensible choices.
Here is the lay of the land.
The four main product types
- Flower. This is the dried cannabis bud, the most traditional form. It is typically smoked or vaporized, and the effects tend to come on quickly. Flower gives you the most visibility into what you are getting: you can look at it, smell it, and read its lab results.
- Edibles. Gummies, chocolates, and other foods made with cannabis. They are discreet and come in set doses, but they work on a slower timeline than inhaled products. That is exactly why we wrote Edibles 101.
- Beverages. Cannabis-infused drinks are a growing category for people who want something that feels more like a social drink. As with edibles, onset is generally slower than inhaling, so patience matters.
- Concentrates. Products made by extracting cannabinoids from the plant, which makes them more potent per gram. They are generally better suited to experienced consumers. If you are new, it is fine to skip this aisle for now.
How to read a product label
The label is your best friend. Before you buy anything, look for:
- THC content. Shown as a percentage for flower or milligrams for edibles and drinks. Higher numbers mean a stronger product, not a better one.
- CBD and other cannabinoids. Listed alongside THC, so you can see the full profile.
- Serving size and servings per package. For edibles especially, a package may hold many servings. Do the math before you eat the whole thing.
- Batch and testing information. Regulated products are lab tested. The label should connect to that data.
- Warnings and ingredients. Check for allergens and read the use instructions.
Tips for your first visit
- Bring a valid ID. You must be 21 or older.
- Tell staff you are new. It is the single most useful thing you can say.
- Ask questions. There is no such thing as a silly one at a counter that exists to educate.
- Start with a small dose. You can always have more later. You cannot have less.
- Bring cash or a debit card. We accept cash and debit card payments only.
- Plan your ride home. Never drive impaired.
