Dispensary Shopping – Tips and Tricks for Finding the Perfect Cannabis Products
There’s a lot of information available in the cannabis sector, so knowing what you want will help you focus your search. A lot of this will come down to the effects you want and what flavors you enjoy.
Shop around before visiting a dispensary — most have their menus online. If you find a place with helpful budtenders, a deep product selection, and affordable prices, that’s your spot.
Know Your Strains
While the terms indica, sativa, and hybrid are standard cannabis-related categorizations, the exact experience you will have with a particular strain can be vastly different. These differences are due to a strain’s unique terpene profile, reflected in its scent and flavor.
Whether you are looking for a calming indica, an energizing sativa, or a hybrid that can do both, a little research beforehand will ensure your experience is exactly what you want it to be. You can even ask the budtender at your favorite dispensary Rockville, for recommendations based on your unique needs!
Keep in mind, though, that while smoking a flower or using a tincture can be an excellent experience for a solo user, edibles and cannabis seltzers are more suited for use with friends. Also, cannabis concentrates require a dab pen or dab rig to use, while most flower and pre-rolled joints can be used with just a bare pipe. Keeping these things in mind, you can easily find the right products for your needs and lifestyle! Just be sure to start low and go slow.
Know What You Want
For new consumers, choosing the right cannabis products can be overwhelming. But the best way to find what you’re looking for is to ask a budtender for recommendations based on your preferences.
You should also know what type of experience you want from the product. If you’re starting, a budtender can help you find sativa-based products with uplifting and energizing effects that stimulate creativity, focus, and motivation.
High-quality weed will display trichomes, a sticky resin that gives flowers their distinctive green to purple hues. These crystals give weeds their distinct aroma, flavor, and effect. Look for large and abundant trichomes, as these indicate high-quality weed.
Tinctures offer precise dosing and are easy to use with food or drinks. They also come in different flavors and can create a short or extended high depending on the method of consumption. They are usually more expensive than other cannabis products, however.
Know Your Budtender
Most dispensaries have employees (known as budtenders, consultants, or guides) who are trained to answer any questions about the cannabis products available in their stores. They’re also valuable resources for discounts, deals, and sales on particular products and can help you get the most out of your visit.
Ask your budtender to recommend the best products for your particular situation and needs. If you feel like they’re recommending products that don’t match your goals or are making suggestions based on personal experiences or sales trends, be sure to find another store.
Many dispensaries are open to letting you browse the product selection in their lobby while they prepare your order. If this is the case, ask your budtender what the prices are on their most popular products. They can also give you recommendations for products within your budget range. Also, be sure to ask about their preferred method of consumption so you can purchase any equipment you might need. This is especially important if you plan on consuming new products at home with friends.
Know the Laws
Amid sleek dispensaries and tacky bodegas, some cannabis stores skirt state law by selling pot without a license. This illegal marketplace, which has grown to include everything from smoke shops to marijuana clubs, is a significant source of confusion for everyone, from locals to visitors.
Licensees must use a system to track inventory and report discrepancies within 24 hours. They also cannot give away cannabis products, even through donations. Licensees are prohibited from advertising giveaways, discount promotions, price reductions, or points-based loyalty programs on a menu or elsewhere, and they must use child-resistant packaging.
Medical facilities must log all visitors’ information, including their names, arrival and departure times, and the purpose of their visits. They must also provide responsible workforce training to managers, employees, contractors, volunteers, and anyone performing activities under their authorization.
Vikiana Reyes, program coordinator for cannabis education at Medgar Evers College and the head of Legacy CORE Foundation, a non-profit that supports the legacy community, says people are getting burned by unlicensed dispensaries that charge higher prices than they should. She also says the MRTA hasn’t fulfilled its promise of giving half of the retail dispensary licenses to “social and economic equity applicants” from communities hurt by prohibition.
Know Your Options
When shopping at a dispensary, you must come in with an idea of what you want. Whether looking for a calm, clear-headed experience or relief from a particular symptom, going in with a clear idea of what you want will help you and your budtender navigate the shelves successfully.
As you shop, look for dispensaries with well-organized shelving and merchandising. Consumer psychology research has shown that sales are impacted by how a store is laid out and how items are positioned. Strategic merchandising can significantly impact the customer experience and your bottom line.
Another way to boost your sales is by offering branded accessories like Grinders, Lighters, and Rolling Papers. These are a must-have for cannabis consumers and will remind them of the positive experience they had in your dispensary. Check out the Cannabis Promotions product catalog to find customizable options for your dispensary. A great assortment of accessories is critical to building brand awareness and attracting new customers. You can also use them as promotional giveaways at events and trade shows.
