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What you will learn in this post:
Key Takeaways
- State registries are a great place to find licensed dispensaries in your state.
- Apps like Weedmaps provide lists of nearby dispensaries with product info and reviews.
- Stick to state licensed dispensaries and look out for red flags, like not checking for ID. Budtenders should be knowledgeable and product info should be easily available.
The cannabis community is constantly growing, with more states legalizing the plant for medicinal or recreational use every year. With this growth, many patients are going to licensed cannabis dispensaries for the first time, leaving many of them to ask: How can I find a dispensary near me?
Finding a nearby cannabis dispensary may seem daunting for the uninitiated. Many areas have multiple dispensaries—and not all cannabis shops are created equal. Luckily, there are steps to take to find a dispensary that meets your needs.
What Is a Cannabis Dispensary?
Simply put, a cannabis dispensary is a shop that sells cannabis and related products for medicinal or recreational use. In states that have legalized both medical and recreational cannabis, dispensaries are often licensed to serve both patients and adult consumers. Before searching for a dispensary, determine which type of business will best suit your needs. Patients with a medical card who shop at medical dispensaries can often take advantage of benefits, including lower taxes, larger purchase limits, or a wider range of products.
It is important to realize that there are often unlicensed (and usually illegal) cannabis dispensaries in many areas. The cannabis products at these retailers are generally not tested for safety and potency and may pose a risk of exposure to insecticides, heavy metals, or microbial contamination. When possible, it is usually safer to obtain cannabis from a state-licensed source.
Using State Regulatory Agencies To Find Dispensaries
One of the best resources for finding a good cannabis dispensary is the online database maintained by the cannabis regulators for each state. These agencies are responsible for licensing medical cannabis providers and retailers and are the best source for up-to-date information on the dispensaries in your area.
State regulatory agencies' websites often include a tool for locating cannabis dispensaries. Patients and consumers can use these tools to search for dispensaries and retail shops using one or more criteria, including city or zip code, business name, and license number. These online resources will often make it easy to check if the state licenses a weed dispensary in your area.
Alaska | Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office | https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/amco | Arizona | Arizona Department of Health Services | https://www.azdhs.gov/ |
California | California Department of Cannabis Control | https://cannabis.ca.gov/ | Colorado | Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) | https://sbg.colorado.gov/cannabis |
Connecticut | Department of Consumer Protection – Medical Marijuana Program | https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Medical-Marijuana-Program | Delaware | Office of Marijuana Control Commissioner | https://mmcc.delaware.gov |
Illinois | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Cannabis Control Section | https://idfpr.illinois.gov/ | Maine | Office of Cannabis Policy | https://www.maine.gov/dafs/ocp |
Maryland | Maryland Cannabis Administration | https://cannabis.maryland.gov/ | Massachusetts | Cannabis Control Commission | https://masscannabiscontrol.com/ |
Michigan | Cannabis Regulatory Agency | https://www.michigan.gov/cra | Minnesota | Office of Cannabis Management | https://cannabis.mn.gov/ |
Missouri | Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – Medical Marijuana Regulation | https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana | Montana | Montana Department of Revenue – Cannabis Control Division | https://mtrevenue.gov/cannabis |
Nevada | Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board | https://ccb.nv.gov/ | New Jersey | Cannabis Regulatory Commission | https://www.nj.gov/cannabis |
New Mexico | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department – Cannabis Control Division | https://ccd.rld.state.nm.us/ | New York | Office of Cannabis Management | https://cannabis.ny.gov/ |
Oregon | Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) | https://www.oregon.gov/olcc | Rhode Island | Office of Cannabis Regulation | https://dbr.ri.gov/office-cannabis-regulation |
Vermont | Vermont Cannabis Control Board | https://ccb.vermont.gov | Virginia | Virginia Cannabis Control Authority | https://www.cannabis.virginia.gov/ |
Washington | Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board | https://lcb.wa.gov/ | D.C. | Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) – Medical Cannabis Program | https://abca.dc.gov/page/medical-cannabis-program#gsc.tab=0 |
Other Ways To Find a Nearby Dispensary Online
While state regulators can be a valuable resource for finding a cannabis dispensary, the information they contain is often limited. Many patients and consumers may want more help choosing a dispensary, especially in areas with multiple retailers.
To fill this void in consumer information, independent websites have also been developed to help guide cannabis consumers. Using sites such as Weedmaps or Leafly, patients and other cannabis enthusiasts can find information on the cannabis dispensaries in their area. These sites often contain a wealth of other information about cannabis providers and retailers, including the stores’ business hours and other vital data. Leafly and Weedmaps typically require retailers to provide information about their state cannabis licenses before adding them to the platform, assuring consumers that the listed dispensaries are legitimate businesses.
How Do I Tell If a Dispensary Near Me Is a Good One?
Once a cannabis dispensary is located in the area, patients may want to learn more about the business to determine if it will meet their needs. Luckily, a quick visit to the retailer or provider can give the curious consumer clues to the quality of the business.
The first thing to check is if the state has licensed the dispensary. Licensed dispensaries and retailers are most likely to have safe and effective cannabis products. The best way to ensure a shop is licensed is to check with your state's cannabis regulator. If you haven’t had the chance to confirm if a dispensary is licensed before you visit, many signs can help you determine if a dispensary is legitimate. In most states, licensed businesses must display their required permits.
Likewise, a business that fails to check the identification of every patient or consumer is likely not in compliance with state licensing requirements and regulations. Similarly, cannabis dispensaries that do not charge the required state taxes have likely not been licensed.
The best cannabis dispensaries will have various products in different sizes and prices. Shops with a very limited selection may not be licensed or may not have the best products to suit your needs. Licensed dispensaries should also have a certificate of analysis (COA) for all products to show an independent laboratory has tested them for safety and potency.
The service provided by cannabis dispensaries can also be a good indicator of the quality of the business. The best cannabis dispensaries will have a knowledgeable staff of consultants (sometimes known as budtenders) who can help consumers select products tailored to their needs.
Online reviews can also help you determine the quality of the service and products at cannabis dispensaries. Platforms like Weedmaps will have reviews from patients and consumers that can help you determine which business is the best local cannabis dispensary in your area.
Yelp also lists cannabis dispensaries on its platform, including customer ratings and reviews. However, it should be noted that Yelp’s policy allows unlicensed cannabis dispensaries to be listed, so some businesses on the site may not comply with state rules and regulations.
By observing these signs, you should get an idea of the quality of a cannabis dispensary you are considering shopping at. Cannabis retailers who fail to meet the standards described may be unlicensed and may not be the best outlet to meet your needs.
How Can I Find Out What Products Are Available at a Dispensary Near Me?
The best cannabis dispensaries will have a wide range of cannabis products to offer patients and customers. Dispensaries and retailers with a limited selection may not be licensed or have the products you are looking for.
All cannabis dispensaries should offer a varied selection of cannabis flower in different package sizes and prices. Ideally, store employees will have information about the cannabinoid potency and dominant terpenes in each selection to help clients choose products best suited to their needs and the effect they are looking for.
Most dispensaries will also carry many other cannabis products, such as pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates, vapes, tinctures, topicals, and more. The best dispensaries will also have a comprehensive line of cannabis accessories and paraphernalia, including rolling papers, pipes, bongs, vaporizers, stash boxes, and other items designed to help cannabis enthusiasts get the best experience possible.
Online cannabis resources such as Weedmaps and Leafly often have a menu of products available for the cannabis dispensaries they list. These menus, regularly updated with current offerings, give consumers and patients the best insight into current product levels without visiting the shop in person. Cannabis dispensaries not listed on third-party platforms often post their product menus on their website.
Finding a good cannabis dispensary nearby can seem like an intimidating undertaking at first. However, with a little research and time spent sampling the available options, most are likely to find a cannabis provider or retailer that can help them enjoy the many benefits of the plant.
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.