What You Need to Know Before You Go to a Dispensary

Registering (and being approved) for your medical marijuana card is exciting and also a little terrifying. Weed may be experiencing a bit of a surge in popularity at the moment, what with all the politicians across North America pushing for legalization (source 1), but decades worth of negative associations still leave patients tip-toeing around the idea of consuming pot for any reason, even though it may have some medical potential. It stands to reason, then, that you’re probably super nervous about walking into your first medical marijuana dispensary, worried you’ll look out of place or ask the wrong kind of question.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of, you’re one of hundreds of thousands of people across the nation visiting dispensaries for medical and recreational reasons. And these dispensaries aren’t backdoor, black market operations–they’re upscale and professional, and have to meet rigorous standards set forth by the government before they can open their doors to the public.

You could literally spend all day in a medical dispensary, chatting with the staff and other patrons (cannabis is a culture with an enthusiastic following) but if you want to shave a little time off your first visit, there are a few things you can prepare before your visit…  

Bring Your ID/Medical Card

The first thing you’re going to be asked before you can start perusing the wares of your local dispensary is some form of identification, any standard and valid government-issued ID like a driver’s license or passport. There is an age restriction in place on the sale of cannabis, whether medical or recreational, in most, if not all, jurisdictions. Usually, this ranges from 18-21, and is dependent on the region you are in.

Edibles are Tasty but Powerful!

For people who don’t like to inhale, edibles–marijuana-infused products like cookies, brownies, candies, gummies, and concentrated cannabinoid tinctures that can be taken sublingually–prove an excellent alternative, and in fact, the sale of edibles makes up over 10% of all cannabis sales in the U.S. (source 2).

It’s not necessarily common knowledge that a marijuana high from an edible is different from inhaled cannabis. The reason lies in the way cannabinoids are broken down in the body. When you inhale cannabis, THC and CBD have a direct path to the endocannabinoid system, which runs throughout the brain and body, via the bloodstream. When you eat cannabinoids, first, they have to pass through the digestive system, which takes time (about 30 mins to an hour) and then they are broken down by the liver and converted into something else (source 3). Specifically, we look at THC, which becomes an enzyme called 11-hydroxy-THC, which is much more potent than THC, and provides a longer-lasting high.

You don’t need to buy a 12-pack of cookies, one or two should do the trick, especially if you have never used marijuana in edible form before. It’s recommended you start with about 5-10 mg at a time and wait for at least 30 to 45 minutes before you increase the dose.

Know a Little (or a Lot) About Weed

To the layperson, weed is weed is weed, but marijuana is an incredibly complex plant. You won’t need to know the exact history or origin story, but it will do you well to know at least a little bit about what you’re getting into to give the budtender a chance to help you choose the right strain.

First things first, there are three different strains of cannabis:

Sativa – these strains offer stimulating, uplifting, mostly cerebral highs that are good for creativity, energy, euphoria, etc.

Indica – the polar opposite of sativa, indica cannabis strains are for people looking to relax. They’re characterized by a “couch lock” that is often great for getting some soothing calm and sedation so as to get a better night’s rest.

Hybrids – cannabis on a whole new level. Breeders figured out that combining the characteristics of indica and sativa in different percentages can produce new and amazingly different, potent, flavourful varieties, and there are plenty of them.

You should also know the difference between tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). While both have their own specific applications, THC is going to get you that euphoric high (great for parties and social situations), while CBD is not psychoactive.

You will also find that, while a lot of dispensaries carry dried bud, some stock cannabis seeds, especially shops in states where the right to cultivate your own weed for personal use has been legalized. You can bet that any store stocking Growers Choice Cannabis Seeds knows their stuff.

And Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions!

Your budtender is there for a reason. Friendly and knowledgeable, they will be able to give you tips and advice on the different strains of dispensary cannabis and cannabis seeds available, as well as ideas on what might work best for you.

Additionally, you may want to do a little cyberstalking of the dispensaries you’re planning on hitting up. Does their website have a lot of detailed information? Can you check out the menu before you get there? What about reviews, what are other people saying about? Word-of-mouth recommendations are still by far the most valuable kind of recommendation and, from customer service to the quality of the weed on site, if other customers are satisfied, chances are you will be too.

You know what they say though: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Shopping for ready-to-use dispensary cannabis seeds may be a quick fix, but growing your own weed from high-quality seeds guarantees that you’ll always have a stock of all-natural and potent pot on hand. Is there anything more satisfying than savoring the fruits of your own labor?

For superior genetics and customer service, visit Growers Choice Cannabis Seeds online – you’ll be as impressed with our process as you are with our products.