Cannabis dispensary near me
For my birthday this year, I went to Vegas. Specifically, I went to a heavy metal festival in Nevada, a state in which both medical and recreational marijuana cannabis is now legal. So in between sets of loud, heavy riffage, I made my way to a dispensary off the Strip to see what the experience was like. Although I've written about cannabis a fair amount over the past several years and have had plenty of first-hand experience with it, I hadn't ever been able to purchase it in a, uh, legit setting.
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For my birthday this year, I went to Vegas. Specifically, I went to a heavy metal festival in Nevada, a state in which both medical and recreational marijuana cannabis is now legal. So in between sets of loud, heavy riffage, I made my way to a dispensary off the Strip to see what the experience was like. Although I've written about cannabis a fair amount over the past several years and have had plenty of first-hand experience with it, I hadn't ever been able to purchase it in a, uh, legit setting.
My only previous experience with a dispensary was waiting outside of a somewhat dingy looking one in San Francisco—where medical marijuana has been legal since —for a friend to grab me some of the most potent cookies I'd ever tried. Seriously, two cookies lasted me the entire summer. So I was eager to find out what the inside of a dispensary would be like, especially since the legislation in Las Vegas was much more recent than that in California and I imagined a lot had changed.
Although medical use sales didn't start until , adult use sales officially kicked off on July 1, —and the state promptly ran into a cannabis shortage less than a week later. However, it's important to point out that previous policies affected some communities far more deeply than others. And, even in states that have legalized cannabis use, that inequality continues. People of all ethnicities use and purchase cannabis at about the same rate, but people of color are much more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession, according to the Drug Policy Alliance.
And although cannabis-related arrests are significantly down overall since , people of color still make up the bulk of those arrested. So, yes, smoking weed has effectively always been legal for me, your basic white lady—even when it wasn't. But the dispensary experience was still something new to me and, I hoped, would help me understand my personal relationship with the plant in a different way. When I walked into the Apothecarium , my chosen shop, I found a pristine yet welcoming store with a large waiting area for customers to fill out their paperwork and a separate open area for consultations.
Each customer meets individually with their budtender yes, this is really what they're called at a space along a large counter with a leather-bound menu book on top. As you flip through, your budtender will take out samples of herb for you to smell and inspect, as well as anything else you might be curious about, including vape pens, edibles, or pre-rolled joints.
It felt like buying tea; I remember walking out thinking, "That's what it should feel like! According to Sara Payan, public education officer at the Apothecarium which has three additional locations in San Francisco , the first step is choosing the right dispensary for you. If you're a first-timer, it may be best to seek out one that has some sort of educational program, which would suggest that it's more open to beginners, she says.
But there's a dispensary for everyone and every level of experience, so it's a good idea to do some research on your own to pick the best one for your circumstances. Googling around gave me a good sense of what would be near my hotel. There were the classic stoner head shops, a soon-to-open cannabis " supermarket ," and a few more boutique options, including the Apothecarium. I'd also suggest checking out Leafly's dispensary finder if you're not sure where to go.
Once you've got a destination in mind, know that it really pays to be prepared. Being the sort of person who creates a color-coded Google doc for every long weekend getaway, I was delighted to find that my hours doing research read: procrastinating on real work were so well spent. So here are few ways I got the most out of my first trip to a dispensary.
Whether you're a seasoned cannabis user just visiting or a local who's checking out your newfound access to cannabis for the first time, this might help you too. Although I knew there were basically an infinite number of strains out there, I had been under the impression that there were really only two types of weed: the kind that made me drool until I fell asleep and the kind that made me sweat with paranoia. So I was surprised to find myself having such a detailed conversation with my budtender about my vacation plans.
Did I want poolside weed or did I want concert weed? Would I be drinking as well? How anxious would I be in a crowd of people? How relaxed is too relaxed for dinner? You can expect to be asked whether you want to be relaxed or uplifted—to start.
How energetic are we talking? Do you want more of a clean energetic feeling where you can be out and about and active? Or if you want to be relaxed, do you want to be hanging out in the park or are we talking winding down at the end of the day?
Or do you need something even heavier to help you get to sleep? In addition to the way different strains might affect you, our individual differences may also influence the effects. Plus, the environment you're in, the people you're with, or the other substances you're consuming can also affect your experience. S if you do have previous experiences with cannabis—good or bad—it's helpful to bring those up to your budtender so they can walk you through this kind of conversation.
If you don't have any previous experiences with cannabis, bring that up too! If you have a question—no matter how basic or silly you think it is—know that your budtender is there to answer it. It's their job!
You don't necessarily need a specific appointment time walk-ins are welcome , but you do need to call ahead if you want a consultation in total privacy.
I brought a friend with me who had never— never! Understandably, they had a lot of questions that I had sort of forgotten were questions someone could even have. Of course, those are the sorts of queries that become the most important to bring up. How long does it take to feel high? How do you turn on the vape pen? No question is too silly or "beginner. Cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, which may present some challenges when it comes to payment lol banks!
For the time being, many stores work with cash only. But some have found loopholes and workarounds that allow them to take credit or debit cards. That's why it's so important to know what your chosen dispensary takes ahead of time. Payan recommends calling the dispensary ahead of time or taking a look at their website to check what payment methods they allow. The side effects of cannabis are not usually serious but they do exist, and it's important to be aware of them and how your body reacts.
For instance, as SELF wrote previously , we know that weed can cause a rapid heart rate and that inhaling smoke can irritate the lungs. Mental health conditions count here as well—if you're someone who's prone to anxiety, for instance, be aware that certain types of cannabis can produce highs that come with even more anxiety. In my case, I knew that some concentrated oils tended to aggravate my asthma even though they're vaped. I don't really know why, but I wish I had brought that up during my consultation and definitely before purchasing a whole cartridge of oil and a vape pen that caused some unpleasant coughing fits before I totally gave up on it.
So, if you have a preexisting medical issue, you may want to talk to your doctor about the best way to consume cannabis if at all.
If you have lung issues, for example, your doctor or budtender may advise you to stick with edible forms of cannabis that won't involve inhaling smoke or vapor. This may feel like boring bureaucracy, but it's important.
Different states have their own laws about the process so it's crucial to figure this out beforehand. In Las Vegas, I just needed my government issued state ID and to be at least age 21 check and definitely check. If you're a medical patient, meaning that you're registered in your state to legally use cannabis to help manage a medical issue, you will almost certainly need special ID or paperwork reflecting your status.
Ultimately, Payan recommends consumers approach cannabis with a "friendly curiosity. The Apothecarium will take returns if there's something wrong with the product say, a broken battery , but if you got home, tried it, and just weren't into it, Payan says that's just one "chalked up to experience. That said, there are some smarter ways to experiment. For instance, Payan says the Apothecarium sells single cookies and gummies that come in and two-packs, so you can either go in with a friend on a larger pack or just get a small one for yourself.
That way there's less risk if you end up not enjoying it. And if you're looking to buy cannabis flower, she says a gram is "a great place to start. This is also key if you are just visiting, as I was, because you can't take cannabis out of the state with you.
Specific airports have different polices about this and traveling between marijuana-legal states is legally iffy, so the best advice is to read up before you go! You obviously don't want to waste any of the precious product you paid for, but your other choice is to risk getting arrested if you bring it into an area where it isn't legal. Luckily, the Vegas airport has some handy "amnesty boxes" made for exactly this purpose.
Still, buying the right amount—and the right type—of cannabis for your trip in the first place is the best case scenario. Cannabis was legalized in Nevada for medical use in and adult recreational use in The first thing your budtender will want to know is why you're there or what your goal with cannabis is, so go in prepared with an answer.
Don't be afraid to be honest, and be prepared to ask a ton of questions. Find out what forms of payment your chosen dispensary takes and get cash if necessary. Take note of any health issues that could affect your experience. Know what kind of ID and other paperwork you need to bring with you.
Only buy what you feel comfortable with, because you won't be able to return anything you've tried. Sarah Jacoby is a health and science journalist and is especially interested in the science of skin care, sexual and reproductive health, drugs and drug policy, mental health, and helping everyone find their personal definition of wellness.
Read more. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Topics anxiety sleep marijuana. Will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
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