The existence of recreational marijuana dispensaries seemed like a fantasy for so long, but the day and age is here! For many of us, it’s now possible to have your favorite local dispensary.
If you’ve moved to a new town in a state where recreational marijuana is legal, or if your state just legalized recreational use (like our very own land of enchantment), you’re likely on the lookout for the best bud hookup.
With so many types of dispensaries out there, how do you know which local dispensary is the best for you? And what should you look for to identify the right one?
We’ve put together a list of six things to look for in a great local dispensary — read on to learn more.
Finding a Local Dispensary: The Basics
1. Location, Location, Location
Finding your local dispensary is like finding the perfect neighborhood coffee shop. You’ll likely visit again and again, so you’ll want to choose a place that’s easy to get to.
Easy access means you can stop by for a quick visit to experiment with different strains and methods of consumption. If you have to travel far, you’re more likely to stick to what you know and buy in bulk.
And like your neighborhood coffee shop, you’ll start to get to know your friendly neighborhood budtenders. Maybe they’ll even remember your order after a few times!
2. Friendly, Welcoming Vibes
Your local dispensary should feel inclusive and welcoming. Look for dispensaries that are well lit, have a security presence, and give off an overall pleasant vibe.
Remember, the point of making recreational marijuana legal is to transform the weed-buying experience from hiding out in damp, dark alleys, and into a positive shopping experience.
The healing and enlightening properties of cannabis are for everybody, so look for a local dispensary that favors inclusive language and practices both on their website and in-store.
Cannabis helps thousands, but it’s also a lucrative business. You want to make sure your local dispensary is in the business of actually helping people heal and have a good time, not just using recent legalization to make money.
At The Santa Fe Dispensary, our mission is to use the bud to help as many people as possible — through expanding our heritage farming practices, eradicating and preventing alcoholism within indigenous tribes, and increasing quality of life for all.
3. Knowledgeable Staff
Walking into a recreational dispensary for the first time is like walking into Teavana at the mall having never tried tea before. Even if you’re a veteran bud smoker, it will likely be the first time you’ve ever seen so many strains and consumption methods in one place.
Just like the friendly tea nerds at Teavana help you to pick out the coziest cup of tea, the budtender at your local dispensary is there to help you find the best bud for your needs.
The first thing you’ll notice about your local dispensary is that most, if not all, of the product is behind the counter. Most dispensaries aren’t allowed to have cannabis products available to grab for yourself, so the budtender is essential in your recreational shopping experience.
Note that not everyone responds well to different strains. For example, if you have anxiety, it’s best to stay away from stimulating strains that can trigger paranoia. If you’re unsure which strain is best for you, just tell your budtender what vibe you’re after and they’ll steer you in the right direction.
Budtenders are the true cannabis nerds, but the best budtenders aren’t snobby about the offerings. If you’re getting pretentious, cold, or unwelcoming vibes off of your budtender, it’s time to try a different local dispensary.
4. Quality & Potency
Like any other product you put in your body, you want the best quality and right potency.
Your local dispensary should carry only the highest quality of buds, with varying potency levels. After all, not everyone is looking for the most potent bud. If you’re used to smoking the stuff from the ‘70s, you likely don’t want to start off with the strongest stuff your local dispensary has to offer.
Use your nose to assess the quality of the product. Good quality buds smell strongly, whether that be dank (in the best way), flowery, or fruity. Low quality buds will smell faintly like hay.
The hopefully strong aroma you’re smelling is thanks to terpenes, which are organic compounds on the buds. Terpenes are even more important than THC levels when determining potency.
If you’re not able to smell the product before buying because of COVID restrictions, look for buds with tons of sticky-looking crystals on the bud. These are called trichomes, and their presence is an indicator of great times ahead.
5. Wide Range of Products
Different methods of consumption lead to different kinds of highs. Some people prefer to enjoy the aroma of cannabis by smoking, while others like ingesting edibles.
You may be married to one way of getting high at the moment, but as your experience with marijuana deepens, you may want to try other ways as well. Your local dispensary should have a wide range of products for every occasion.
If you’re trying out a new method of cannabis consumption, make sure to tell your budtender so they can point you to the right product. Lifetime tokers may be surprised at just how strong edibles can be.
6. Ethical Growing & Business Practices
Our bodies are sacred, and it’s important to know what we’re ingesting. Just like it’s important to know where your food comes from, you want to know where your marijuana comes from.
Your local dispensary should be transparent about where the product comes from. Ideally, you’ll want to look for organic growing practices.
As with any kind of shopping, supporting a local dispensary and local growers over multi-state operators is a great way to support your community.
Now that you know what to look for in a great local dispensary, how do you find it?
How to Scope Out Your Local Dispensary
Finding a great local dispensary may take a little bit of research, but it’s worth it. Once you’ve found your local dispensary, it can serve you for years to come.
A good way to figure out if a local dispensary fits all the criteria above is to look at some reviews. Keeping in mind that a few bad reviews are to be expected everywhere, look for reviews that mention friendly staff and good quality products.
Another way to find the perfect local dispensary is to ask trusted friends what their experiences have been around town. Hopefully someone else has already tested a few out and can provide a glowing review — or advice on which local dispensary to avoid.
Lastly, be prepared for higher (pun intended) prices at your local dispensary than what you may be used to. Great quality bud comes at a premium price, and cannabis is heavily taxed. Such is the price of legalization.
That being said, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of comparison shopping to find the best deal!
Whether you’re a long-time bud connoisseur or a novice checking our recreational marijuana for the first time, finding the perfect local dispensary will make your bud-buying experience that much better.
Once you find the perfect local dispensary for you, feel free to pass on the love and recommendations to others, and leave a review. It will go a long way in helping others find a great local dispensary as well. If you’re in the Santa Fe area, we’d love to be your trusted local dispensary!