How to Find a Reputable Cannabis Dispensary

Though Canada is in its second year of legalization, marijuana sales are still a novelty; yet sales are expected to increase. If this growing trend has recently piqued your interest, now is the best time to dip your toes in the water.

Though there are so many marijuana products lining the market, and the government streamlines the buying process, where you purchase marijuana in Canada matters. Choose a marijuana dispensary that fits your needs, and prevent ending up with low-quality cannabis.

Licensed and Legal

The Cannabis Act came into effect on October 17, 2018, in Canada. It led to cannabis dispensaries licensed by the government opening up across the country. However, the laws vary by province. Each province and territories are given the right to determine how cannabis is distributed and sold within their jurisdiction.

The rules are typically set around:

• How cannabis can be sold,
• Where can stores be located,
• How should the stores be operated, and
• Who is allowed to sell cannabis.

Nevertheless, provinces and territories can also include additional restrictions such as:

• Lowering possession limits,
• Increasing the minimum legal age,
• Restricting where cannabis can be used in public, and
• Adding requirements on personal cultivation.

Based on where the dispensary is located, the products will bear an official stamp of that province or territory for legal cannabis products. Some provinces have only government-run dispensaries while others have either private- or government-run ones.

You are responsible for knowing what’s legal in the province you live or plan to visit. Heading to the provincial and territorial websites will give you a brief idea about what is legal and what’s not.

Knowledgeable Staff

Unless you are a cannabis expert, you are likely to have questions about the products you see on the dispensary shelf. Similar to purchasing any other product, if the staff is knowledgeable, they will guide you through the buying process, hopefully offering accurate product information and sound advice to help you find the right cannabis product based on your needs.

Reviews

Finding the right dispensary is not a cakewalk—it demands a lot of homework. If you want to cut down the effort that goes into sorting through the list of dispensaries, your best bet is to research the dispensaries’ reviews online.

Just like you would for a restaurant or any other store, checking out reviews will help you gain insights into other users’ experiences with the dispensaries in your neighborhood. You can either use Google or leverage the various marijuana-focused resources to find reviews of Canadian dispensaries.

A few dispensaries also offer doorstep delivery. So, if you don’t want to walk into a dispensary to get your products, consider finding weed for sale online.

Product

What quality of dispensary products are you looking for? Do you want fresh marijuana? Did the cannabis product deliver the expected effect or potency the last time you bought it? Are the products lab tested?

Some people like to smoke a specific cannabis strain, while others prefer edibles always. If that’s you, then selection won’t be a problem as long as your local dispensary stocks your favorite cannabis product. But most people like trying new things. So, a good dispensary will have a wide array of buds, concentrates, edibles, and topicals at varying price points and potencies for you to choose from.

However, depending on the province, the cannabis products available in a dispensary can vary. For instance, Quebec has banned several Legalization 2.0 products such as candies, capes, chocolates, and desserts.

Furthermore, a few dispensaries across the country grow and produce their cannabis products, while others receive wholesalers’ products. Hence, the quality of cannabis products can also differ a bit based on the location. Make sure you check reviews online to get an idea about what you can expect to find in the dispensary beforehand.

A Good Dispensary = Quality Products

A typical cannabis user is always seeking the best quality products they can afford. Shopping at a reputable cannabis dispensary will ensure you are buying the best products on the market. And to ensure that you are consistently getting top-quality marijuana products, keep asking significant questions to the staff. 

Determining the characteristics you love the most in cannabis and conveying it accurately to the budtender will guarantee that you are getting the product you want.