There have been more than a few films made about the trials and tribulations of buying weed. Before legalization, it was important to know a few things if attempting to purchase. Today, it is still a good idea to learn some basics before you go out (or stay in ) buying weed. 

Whether it’s for medicine or recreation, stay safe and stoned with these critical tips on how to buy weed.

First tip – be of age, and be able to prove it. It’s a lot more difficult to fool a budtender than it is to lie to a landing page (scram kids!). Legal age is 21 and over – just as children shouldn’t drink alcohol, they shouldn’t consume cannabis. If there is any question of the buyer’s age, a (good) dispensary will never sell. They have too much on the line. This brings us to our next hot tip:

Just because cannabis has been legalized doesn’t mean that all cannabis is legal. It is a heavily regulated substance that can still get you in trouble if used carelessly, just like alcohol. One of the biggest benefits of legalization was of course hitting the wallets of organized crime.

Unfortunately, some of these bad actors have tried to adapt to present as legitimate operations. Being the conscientious consumer you are, you do not want to support that for a plethora of reasons. Even if you aren’t conscientious – they simply can’t grow as good of a product as legitimate producers.

This only requires a moment of research – scanning through a directory or confirming a business’s license here will ensure you are keeping yourself safe and supporting a legitimate business.

Another important topic of research regards something more personal. What do you use this product for? There are so many different types of cannabis products out there for treating such a wide range of ailments, that it might help to have an idea of which matches up best with which.

Understanding the product itself will help you reap its full potential and avoid having a negative experience. For example, if you are treating anxiety, you may want to look at a CBD-heavy product rather than something that leans towards more THC, due to the psychoactive effects. Just one of the countless examples.

All of the different cannabinoids and terpenes present in the different strains and products do make a difference in effect. More and more information is out every day on the subject – far too much for one article. Dive in, read reviews and find something that works best for you – it’s a wonderful world to get lost in.

One of two answers will apply. For the vast majority, the limit is about an oz. (28.35 grams, to be exact) of flower or 8 grams of concentrate. Medical users who may require far more product are allowed to carry substantially more at 8 oz. (226.8 grams). This requires a valid medical marijuana identification card which is issued by the Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program (MMICP).

In California, (the state to which this article pertains) there is a 4-step process for receiving a medical ID card. You can find information about applying for an MMIC here. Patients must get written certification from a doctor that confirms both the condition and cannabis as a treatment. From there, they can fill out an application with MMICP.

One of the major selling points for legalization was tax revenue. As such, the state of California heavily taxes cannabis. The most notable thing is the lack of consistency. For example, in Los Angeles, consumers can pay 38.52% in tax, but in other parts of the state pay as little as 25.63%. But even beyond this, certain medical sales tax exemptions mean not everybody is paying the same. Like everything, money makes things complicated.

So why is this?

California mandates that all personal property is subject to being taxed, with some exemptions. This is a two-part formula that involves a combination base rate, local base rate and district rate.

But wait, there’s more: the state also levies excise and cultivation taxes on cannabis. This is set at 15% of the average retail market value in the case of cannabis. The cultivation taxes apply to different parts of the cannabis plant, but we’re focusing on the consumer side of things – so we won’t delve too deep into that. The point is, some counties force dispensaries to charge a steep price due to the levies imposed.

Alright let’s recap:

As you can see, that adds up to a lot in some cases. Luckily, there is a way to avoid overpaying taxes without going to the wrong people.

Yes, another problem solved by the internet! By ordering over the internet from a dispensary a couple of counties over, you can substantially reduce the amount of taxes paid per purchase. Be sure to research the dispensary you plan on buying from, and be sure to order from within your state.

Because it is still illegal to transport cannabis across state lines (even if legal in both), make sure you are ordering from a legitimate dispensary in the same state. There are loads of online dispensaries that have great selections and prices, but there are also some that are only posing as legitimate.

Ecomeds is a great example of a well-priced, online dispensary that delivers a high-quality product to the conscientious consumer. With a selection ranging from tinctures to topicals, extracts to edibles, and premium flower, they stand out as the eco-friendly choice. Their green practices and packaging make a great choice of dispensary for both medical and recreational users.

With all of these tips in mind and a little research, you can safely enjoy the best product at the best prices – and most importantly, with a clean conscience. 

La entrada How to Buy Weed Near You – or Online! se publicó primero en Ecomeds.