First Dispensary Visit in Manhattan? Here’s How to Shop Like a Pro

Jump to Key sections:

• Bring the Essentials
• Learn to Read Product Labels
• Ask Questions: Your Budtender Is Your Guide
• Choose Products to Match Your Lifestyle
• Tips for First-Time Use
• Visit Maryjane Cannabis Co: We’re Here to Help

Few things compare to the hustle and bustle of New York City. As fun and exciting as it can be to visit a cannabis dispensary for the first time, it can also be overwhelming with so many different products and brands to choose from. Don’t worry, though. If you’re planning your visit in Manhattan, we’ll show you how to shop like a pro.

We know that shopping for cannabis can mean a lot of different things for different people. That’s why we make it our mission to offer an accessible, approachable experience for everyone. We’re happy to serve seasoned stoners, athletes, students, and first-timers alike.

Here’s what to know before you go:

Bring the Essentials

Before you head to a dispensary in NYC, make sure you have the essentials with you. The first thing you’ll be asked upon entry is to show identification proving you’re at least 21 years of age.

Acceptable identification includes:

• State-issued driver’s licenses
• City of New York ID cards
• Military ID cards
• Passports
• Federal non-driver ID cards
• Native American tribal ID cards

Make sure your ID card isn’t expired before you visit.

Our store accepts cash or debit card payments and also offers an ATM on site for your convenience. If you’re planning how much money to bring, just know that you’re allowed to buy up to three ounces of cannabis and up to 24 grams of concentrates per day. Concentrates in this case include edibles, oils, vapes, and tinctures.

Learn to Read Product Labels

When you enter a recreational dispensary, you’ll be surrounded by many different products boasting a variety of effects. This can be overwhelming at first. But by understanding a few basic concepts, you’ll be shopping like a pro in no time.

One of the first things to check for when reading a cannabis product label is the cannabinoid content. You’ll typically see THC and/or CBD listed on the label next to a percentage. This tells you the product’s potency. In general, the higher the THC content, the more intoxicating the product will be. Higher CBD content will not get you high, but the higher the CBD content, the stronger the therapeutic effect.

You’ll also see descriptive words for strains like indica, sativa, and hybrid. These describe the type of plant the flower came from. In general terms, sativa strains are associated with uplifting and energizing effects. They’re most often recommended for daytime use.

On the other hand, indica strains are associated with full-body relaxation and sedation–typically best for evening use. Hybrid strains are a combination of the two and can be dominant in either sativa or indica, or a balanced blend of the two.

Other compounds in the plants can play a role in the effects, too. Terpenes are the chemical compounds that give cannabis its distinct aromas and flavors. Cannabis flower is made up of many different terpenes, and the specific chemical makeup varies from strain to strain.

The specific terpene profiles, along with other cannabinoids like THC and CBD, all work together to create strain-specific effects. Once you get to know the different terpenes, you can narrow down your preferred strains based on their unique profiles.

Cannabis products at any high end dispensary should include testing information, too. Make sure to check the label to look for information about testing, such as where the product was tested and where to view results. It’s important to select products that have been thoroughly tested to ensure their safety, purity, and potency.

You’ll also want to look at the packaging date. The older the product, the less fresh and potent it will be.

Ask Questions: Your Budtender Is Your Guide

No matter how much preparation you do before visiting your first dispensary in Manhattan, there’s always more to learn. Budtenders are here to guide you through any questions, so feel free to ask away.

Our budtenders are friendly, approachable, and free of judgment. Whether you’re wondering what product is good to relax after work with, seeking a low-THC option for beginners, or anything in between, our staff has you covered.

Here are some more common questions we hear from beginners:

• What is the difference between THC and CBD?
• How long will edibles take to kick in?
• Which products will help me sleep better?
• What do the numbers on the product labels mean?
• What are good product choices for a beginner?
• How long can I expect the effects to last?

Choose Products to Match Your Lifestyle

To better help you select the right products, we recommend taking a look at your lifestyle. What exactly do you want to get out of your cannabis experience?

If you’re looking for products to add to your social life, we might recommend joints or flower to share with friends. For creativity or productivity, we might suggest strain-specific edibles, flower, or vapes. For shoppers seeking wellness benefits, we might point you in the direction of tinctures or edibles.

These are just initial suggestions, though. The right choice is entirely individual. Your personal needs and preferences will play an important role in deciding the right type of products to match your lifestyle.

Still not sure? Don’t worry. One of our knowledgeable budtenders will be happy to help you find the right product match for your lifestyle.

Tips for First-Time Use

Once you’ve picked out your products, it’s go time. We recommend first-time users try new products at their homes or in a safe place with trusted people.

As a general rule for any new cannabis product, start low and go slow. This means start with a small dose–especially with edibles, since they can take a while to kick in. If you’re smoking for the first time, start with a small puff and wait a few minutes to see how you feel. The same goes for vaping, dabbing, and any other method of consumption. You can always consume more, but you can’t undo consuming too much.

Make sure you don’t have any important obligations or need to operate a car or other machinery for several hours. We recommend trying products when you have no obligations and can relax, enjoy, and make note of how the experience makes you feel. Be sure to stay hydrated, too, as this can help mitigate potential side effects.

Visit Maryjane Cannabis Co: We’re Here to Help

Now that you have the necessary knowledge to shop like a pro, it’s time to visit our upper east side dispensary (or browse our online menu.) We love our customers and pride ourselves on providing a welcoming environment with friendly staff and a well-curated selection of quality products.

Start your cannabis journey today with Maryjane Cannabis Co.!