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Should I buy weed at a pharmacy or from my dealer?

Is marijuana from retailers and dispensaries the same?

There should be a clear answer to the question of where to buy your weed, right? Incorrect.

For many cannabis consumers, deciding where to purchase their product remains a major unresolved question.

Some don't realize the benefits of purchasing marijuana from a trusted source. Do not worry; This article explains the advantages and disadvantages of both sources.

Hopefully after reading this article you should be able to decide whether you want to buy from a retailer or a pharmacy.

Sources of cannabis products

The introduction of laws allowing recreational and medical marijuana has spurred the growth of marijuana dispensaries. Previously, classifying marijuana as illegal meant it came from an illegal, unregulated market. Many cannabis users came to believe that dealers were the only source of cannabis available. However, the importance of legal markets in various states has made marijuana dispensaries an accepted source, especially for newer consumers.

In the past, largely due to popular culture, dealers were viewed as stoners who hung out in shady areas and sold weed outdoors. Think of Jay and Silent Bob in Clerks.

The advent of legalization has led many marijuana retailers to improve their services. Despite the illegality of their activities, they have remained relevant in the cannabis consumer market.

Most traders in the market are more sophisticated than ever. They offer a wide range of products, making them the first choice of many cannabis consumers. This is slowly being reflected on our television screens with characters like The Guy in High Maintenance, played by Ben Sinclair.

Cannabis pharmacies are structured establishments that enable the distribution and supply of cannabis products in accordance with recognized regulations. Dispensaries have budtenders who are like sommeliers at Michelin star restaurants. A good budtender can guide the customer to the strain that can produce the desired effect: pain relief, a creative high, or a gentle, relaxing experience. More marijuana dispensaries are opening in legal states and some are offering delivery services.

Pharmacy or dealer

The decision to purchase cannabis products from dispensaries depends on various factors.

We will try to explain the advantages and disadvantages of both sources in detail.

legality

Perhaps the most important factor that characterizes the origin of cannabis products.

While regulators legally support licensed pharmacies, dealers are illegal, unregulated or gray markets.

Marijuana users who legally purchase products from dispensaries don't have to worry about breaking the law.

However, the situation is different for those who illegally possess marijuana from a dealer.

While regulators, by and large, do not appear to be too harsh on those who purchase from dealers in states with legal markets, this may not be the case and there is still some risk. For those who do not have access to medical marijuana or live in states where recreational marijuana sales are not legal, there may not be many options. In this case, purchasing from a local dealer may be safer than traveling to neighboring states to purchase legally. Taking cannabis across state lines If detected, it will become a federal issue and could have far more far-reaching consequences than buying from a local dealer.

Availability

In many states, cannabis dispensaries are widely dispersed and restricted by licensing laws. Since few have delivery services, it may be difficult for some to reach a pharmacy near them.

It should be noted that the trend of online ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery services has increased significantly since the pandemic began in 2020. This will hopefully continue to provide wider access to the legal market.

Most dispensaries are located in major metropolitan areas, and the costs of licensing and registration as well as taxes can make legal transactions prohibitively expensive, so smaller cities are often overlooked, which Californians can relate to.

There are dealers in most cities; Many will deliver or be available locally.

Convenience alone can be a big reason why people shop at a retailer rather than a pharmacy.

Price

Price is a major factor that influences most consumers' choice of where to source cannabis products. It's no surprise that with lower operating costs, dealers can offer lower prices that attract many customers.

The Price of cannabis is perhaps one of the main reasons the illegal cannabis market has grown, even in states where recreational cannabis is legal.

Due to state sales taxes, licensing, business taxes and other costs, such as paying staff, pharmacies cannot compete on price. These taxes go toward education, drug research, social services, etc. Purchasing from licensed pharmacies can help the local community and economy.

Environmentally friendly

Pharmacies operate on the legal market. Farmers who supply legal dispensaries are also licensed and must follow environmental laws surrounding plant cultivation. Illegal growers supplying dealers may not operate to the same standards.

Safety and quality

Cannabis retailers offer consumers products whose safety and quality cannot be verified. Users receive products whose origin they do not know. Some of these products may pose serious health risks to users due to pesticides, heavy metals and other residues. Additionally, the retailer's assessment of the product's THC potency may be incorrect because the product has not been tested. On the other hand, products from cannabis dispensaries are very safe as they go through various phases of analysis to determine the safety of the product. Such products do not contain harmful substances such as pesticides and heavy metals. The quality of the products is also ensured through appropriate effectiveness tests.

Final thoughts

The truth is that the decision of where to source your products is ultimately yours. The factors mentioned above can help you determine what is best for you. We encourage you to ask yourself whether your pharmacy or retailer represents the values, quality and services for you, the environment and the community. Use your money to vote for the type of cannabis market you want. Investigate where cannabis taxes are spent and be a proactive part and voice for the change you want to see in the cannabis market in your community, state and country.