Tips for Choosing the Right Medical Marijuana Dispensary
You are armed with a medical marijuana card in a state where it is legal to sell the plant for consumption. Yet, with the number of medical marijuana dispensaries competing with the number of coffee shops, knowing which dispensary to frequent can be a challenge. Here are some selection criteria to consider when you are in the market for a medical marijuana dispensary.
Health and Safety
The first thing to look for when considering a dispensary is the cleanliness of the store. The dispensary should be compliant with all health and safety regulations. The store should be as clean as any other market you purchase consumables and perishables from. Products should be handled properly, vendors should be verified, and storage conditions should be environmentally stable to prevent excessive drying or molding.
Quality
Of course, the quality of the product should be acceptable. This is a subjective factor as the potency of one strain may be too much for one person, but just right for another. Knowing the level of potency of a strain that works for you will go a long way in finding the right product. There are web sites like Leafbuyer or Weedmaps that provide information about dispensaries, such as user reviews, strain information, and location. A dispensary’s bud consistency, freshness, and potency are other measures of quality to consider.
Price
Like any product, price is a factor of supply and demand. Common strains that are consistent and remain in stock due to regular grow cycles may be priced more competitively than a special, low yield crop with high potency which one may pay top dollar for. Many dispensaries share their menus and price list online, allowing customers to do their research and cost comparisons before they head out to the shops.
Selection
A dispensary with a wide selection is more apt to offer fresher products at more competitive prices, in addition to offering a wide range of cannabis products, such as everything from traditional bud and edibles to topical creams and balms, and varying strains, like Indica, Sativa, and hybrids. A large selection is also able to accommodate varying taste and mood – one day a calming blend is what you are looking for versus another day you may look for one to add some pep to your step.
Location
With over 900 dispensaries in Colorado, location shouldn’t be a problem as they are becoming commonplace. However, knowing which dispensaries near you offer what products or strains you prefer may take a little investigation. The aforementioned web sites will identify dispensary locations in your area by zip code, city, and even neighborhood.