5 Things to Consider When Determining Your Favorite Dispensary

5 Things to Consider When Exploring Cannabis Dispensaries

I use cannabis for medication. Since there is very little literature or guidance for medical cannabis users, a lot of my understanding of how cannabis works for me has come down to leveraging the available information and coupling that with the extensive observation of my personal experiences. This means that I am always on the lookout for dispensaries that have knowledgeable budtenders, showcase their products test results, and give as much information as possible to their customers. This can be surprisingly difficult, as many dispensaries aren’t as invested in ensuring they center information about their products as they are in moving products. This can result in poor or no web curation of their menus to wholesale sourcing that obscures information about the farms and the fact that some dispensaries do not carry consumer education as part of their mission or values. It’s a recipe for fumbling for the best bud in the dark.

Bummer!

It’s important to cannabis consumers to explore what we need from cannabis — and this includes dispensaries. While some of the research into dispensaries can be done online, ultimately it takes an investment into a lot of dispensary experiences to find favorite spots. This is especially true since online menus may not be updated, may only have default photos, or there may not be a web presence at all. Depending on where you live, there might even be illegal dispensaries! Think of the dispensary as being your partner in your explorations, and seek one that matches what you value.

Here’s what I look for.

Location.

The dispensary should, logically, be reachable. You might reevaluate the distance you are willing to travel based on the selection of products at a later time!

Selection

I’ve found that what I want from a dispensary evolves with my personal preferences around how I use cannabis. When we first moved to a recreational state after a long time living under Prohibition, I spent a lot of time exploring and journaling about my experiences to understand what products would best suit my needs. What I thought I would love at first (extracts and cartridges) ends up isn’t actually my preference at all. As my tastes evolved, so did the sorts of dispensaries I liked to visit — even changing from smoking flower to dry herb vaping had a significant impact on the dispensaries I frequent. Be open to those sorts of changes in your own experience!

Quality of Product

This factor is intertwined with selection, and it is highly subjective. For some exploring cannabis, only one number matters (THC). For others, a variety of information is necessary to determine if the product is high quality.

For instance — if you are a flower connoisseur, grow methods and terpene profiles are going to be compelling information. In the realm of extracts, many have a preference for live resins. Some love crumble. Others exclusively use cartridges. Others only use tinctures of edibles. For each of these products, there are different markers of quality, and often dispensaries can excel in one product line while not being as exceptional in others.

Information Available

This isn’t just about what’s on a website — this is also about the information you can find physically in the store and whether it meets your needs. If you enjoy flower, is there terpene information on the label? How about phenotype? Farming methods? How much information is displayed about the extracts? Is everything clearly labeled? Can you read the labels (oftentimes, acuity is sacrificed for low-light ambiance in dispensaries!)

To me, having an abundance of information is important. I depend on cannabis to treat my PTSD, and I have a high standard of information. Your own needs may be different — as always, explore what works for you!

Price

Prices can vary, the selection available at price points can vary, and daily deals can vary as well. Part of what makes a dispensary good for you is that it can fit into your budget. Don’t be ashamed to find a retailer that charges a fair price for the selection and service they offer!

There may be other factors that you find important, and there are as many lists about the things to look for in a dispensary as there are cannabis writers. As always, I encourage you to synthesize these thoughts with your own needs, and explore to discover what works for you.