Top Tips for Beginners at a Marijuana Dispensary
Navigating a marijuana dispensary can be overwhelming for beginners. Learn essential tips to make your experience stress-free and enjoyable at top cannabis brands with our guide.
Compare cost per milligram of THC, not shelf price
Dispensary deals advertise dollars off a package. That number does not tell you what you pay for the drug. Calculate cost per milligram of THC instead.
Example: a $40 eighth weighs 3.5 g and tests at 20% THC. That package holds about 700 mg of THC. Cost is $0.057 per mg. A $25 eighth at 12% THC holds about 420 mg. Cost is $0.060 per mg. The cheaper package costs more per milligram.
Labels list net weight and THC percentage. Use both numbers.
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Parameters to check before you buy
- Harvest or package date. Flower loses THC after 6 months on the shelf. Ask for the date printed on the label.
- Batch COA. A certificate of analysis lists potency and results for mold, pesticides and heavy metals. Match the batch number on the package to the COA.
- Grade. Shake, smalls and popcorn are size classes. They sell for less because the pieces are smaller, not because the strain differs.
- Tax rate. Taxes are added at checkout. Washington charges 37% excise tax on retail cannabis. Illinois taxes adult-use cannabis from 10% to 25% by product type and THC level. Oregon charges a 17% retail tax.
- Purchase limits. Most adult-use states cap one transaction at 28 g of flower. Concentrate limits run 5 g to 8 g.
Rules that cut the discount
Most shops do not stack discounts. A loyalty reward and a daily deal often cannot apply to the same item. Points expire, often after 90 days. Delivery adds a fee of $5 to $15 plus a minimum order of $50 to $100 at many shops.
Medical status changes the tax line. Colorado charges no 15% excise tax on medical cannabis. Illinois taxes medical cannabis at 1%. A medical card can beat a sale price.
Pitfalls
- Buy-one-get-one flower deals move old inventory. Check the package date first.
- "Up to 40% off" applies to one or two items in most cases, not the full menu.
- Free pre-rolls often weigh 0.5 g and use trim.
- Third-party delivery apps list prices above the shop menu and add service fees.
- Unlicensed sellers offer untested product, no COA and no tax. Buyers have no legal recourse.
What to ask at the counter
Ask for the out-the-door price: product, tax and fees. Ask for the harvest date and the COA batch number. Ask if the discount stacks with loyalty points. Compare the final number at one other licensed shop. Then buy.
Cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Taxes, limits and rules differ by state. Confirm the shop holds a state license before you pay.