A marijuana dispensary is a place that sells cannabis products. They typically carry both recreational and medical marijuana, depending on your state.
A medical marijuana dispensary requires a prescription from your doctor before you can enter the store.
Medical
A marijuana dispensary is a government-regulated physical location, typically inside a storefront or office building, where people can buy cannabis products for medical or recreational use. These establishments can be called compassion clubs or retail shops, depending on your state, and they can also sell non-cannabis-related products.
Medicinal marijuana is sold to registered patients under the care of licensed medicinal practitioners who have obtained a written certification from a board-registered practitioner. It must be presented to the dispensary with a valid registry identification card or other state-issued ID.
The law also requires that the patient and caregiver keep their medical marijuana product in its original labeled packaging at all times. It will minimize health risks and prevent legal infractions.
Recreational
Recreational marijuana is cannabis that is legally sold to adults age 21 or older. It can be smoked, vaped, or ingested as an edible food or beverage. It contains a chemical called THC, which has mood-altering effects and can cause impaired thinking and body coordination.
The products found in recreational dispensaries vary from state to state, but you will likely find smokable flowers and concentrates like kief, BHO, sauce, budder, RSO, CO2, etc. You’ll also be able to find oils and topicals, which are often infused with THC or CBD.
Many people use recreational marijuana for non-medical reasons. Still, a few medical patients may purchase their marijuana at adult-use dispensaries to avoid paying the higher tax rates applied to medicinal patients. Regardless of the reason, it is essential to understand your local laws when shopping at a recreational marijuana dispensary.
Security
Security measures at a cannabis dispensary can be vital for protecting the business, customers, and products. They can include CCTV and alarm systems, access control, and more.
Video surveillance is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions, so choosing the right system for your needs can help you comply with regulations and deter potential thieves. Ensure the camera resolution is high, and select a system that can be monitored remotely.
Employee theft is the most common source of income loss in the marijuana sector, so conducting background checks on all employees is critical. In addition, it will minimize the risk you give someone with terrible intentions access to your cannabis business.
Visiting a Marijuana Dispensary
If you want to purchase marijuana products, a dispensary is an excellent option. They offer a comfortable place to browse and buy cannabis while ensuring each product is lab-tested and quality-checked.
Marijuana dispensaries are also a great place to get help understanding the science behind medical cannabis and how to use it properly. In addition, they have experienced sales staff that can assist patients with choosing suitable strains, dosages, and other health-related questions.
In some states, recreational and medical users can purchase cannabis products from the same dispensary. It is an excellent method to save money and avoid long queues at medicinal dispensaries.
If you visit a dispensary for the first time, you must show your medical marijuana recommendation or ID. You must then register with the receptionist before entering the dispensing area.
