Last weekend I purchased some marijuana. Not from some friend of a friend of a friend, but from an actual dispensary in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder, like the rest of Colorado, has recreational marijuana dispensaries where you can purchase weed legally. It was cool.
But while my partner had purchased legal marijuana in the past, I didn’t know the first thing about the standard operating procedure of bud buying. If you’re not a native, or are visiting a state just to get some cannabis while you vacation, you might want to adhere to a few easy to follow guidelines to make yourself a model dispensary customer. The dispensary, as well as the locals, will appreciate it.
Keep Your ID Handy
Visiting a dispensary involves proving you’re 21, and that means whipping out your ID. You’ll have to show it twice: first when you walk in the door, and again when you’re finally purchasing your recreational cannabis. Dispensaries are rigorous in their ID checks, with some scanning the IDs to ensure they’re legitimate.
Bring Cash
Don’t count on using your bank card for purchases at a dispensary.
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Since marijuana is still considered a Schedule I narcotic on a federal level, it’s illegal for dispensaries to use bank accounts to process transactions, and that means you aren’t able to purchase it with your debit or credit card. You’ll need cash in most situations. Some dispensaries have ATMs inside for your convenience, but you should call ahead to double check.
Plan Ahead
You should be prepared before you walk in the door and familiar with what you might be interested in purchasing. That means doing a little research beforehand, checking out the dispensary’s site and inventory, and asking friends more familiar with marijuana than you about the best way to get started if it’s your first time. Be sure to check their hours as well; some dispensaries are open late, some open early, and some are closed on certain days of the week.
Cameras and Phones are a No-No
You should shy away from last-minute lookups and sharing with the world your current weed-friendly situation until you’re home. I was nearly ejected from the first dispensary I visited simply because my DSLR was hanging off my wrist, despite it having a lens cap. Dispensaries have a pretty strict “no photos” policy that you should adhere to unless you want to get kicked out of the store.
Be Nice to Your Bud Tender
Your bud tender is your marijuana middleman, the person behind the counter that helps you pick the right product. That means you should treat them with the same respect you’d show your friendly neighborhood mixologist, and not like some stoner who just loves weed. They’re happy to help as long as you’re polite. It helps to think about your questions beforehand, so you’re not staring dumbfounded while your bud tender waits for your brain to catch up to your mouth.
You shouldn’t feel obligated, but if you’d like to tip your bud tender, you should check the rules beforehand. Some states, like Washington, allow tipping as long as it isn’t linked to product pricing or used to avoid paying certain taxes.
Smoke ‘Em if You Got ‘Em (at Home)
Smoking marijuana in public is still illegal, despite the growing number of states legalizing recreational use. That means you can’t smoke it outside the dispensary you just walked out of. Some states, like Maine and Massachusetts, will fine offenders up to $100 for smoking in public.
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