Illegal vs. Legal: What Are the Real Benefits of Buying Weed from a Licensed Dispensary?

Many of us had a close relationship with our cannabis dealers, especially before weed was legalized. Dealers are often the first port of call when buying pot from someone you’ve known for a while. Even better, if you’ve had a long-term relationship with them, then they’re likely to give you good prices for decent weed – even if you already have several dispensaries in your area and have access to online cannabis delivery.

In many cases, cannabis from the pharmacy is slightly or much more expensive, depending on the variety. So why would you buy weed from one?

quality control: A licensed cannabis dispensary gives consumers the assurance that they are not just buying flowers, but a whole range of cannabis products that meet certain safety and quality standards.

Many pharmacy products are required to undergo lab testing and even list potency and other helpful information like cannabinoids and terpene content on the label. This way you don’t have to doubt how much THC or CBD is in your pot, which is especially crucial for medical patients who need cannabis to treat symptoms of a variety of diseases.

Cannabis dealers don’t typically grow their own weed—they’re just middlemen who profit from the sale. This means that they do not provide any important information or guarantees regarding safety and effectiveness to their customers or patients. Meanwhile, licensed pharmacies must comply with government regulations so they can give you guarantees of quality. They must adhere to government standards in order to continue their business and earn honest profits.

product variety: Today’s cannabis industry is more sophisticated than ever. For consumers, this means the choices are so overwhelming. You can now choose from dozens of strains, strains, and consumption methods, many of which can even be customized to suit your needs.

RELATED: Is There Really a Difference Between Cannabis Grown Indoors vs. Outdoors?

Established pharmacies even have warehouses where they always have good products in stock. You can find a selection of marijuana ranging from affordable to premium depending on your budget and needs. The ability to shop at a pharmacy, online, or in person also allows you to compare products and make an informed decision based on your own preferences and research.

Discounts and Loyalty Programs: Just because you are buying from a licensed, reputable pharmacy does not automatically mean that you will always have to spend a lot more money.

You can still enjoy discounts and save money while enjoying all the other benefits of a cannabis dispensary, especially if you join their loyalty and membership programs. These allow you to take advantage of a variety of money-saving offers such as bonuses, dollar deals, free goods, daily deals straight to your inbox or your phone, cashbacks and more.

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These loyalty programs are carefully designed by pharmacies to grow their customer base and there is always something for you.

Personalized recommendations: Unlike dealers, budtenders and dispensary staff must undergo training to be successful in their jobs. This means they have been trained by organizations and in some cases even certified to sell cannabis professionally.

Pharmacy staff are great sources of information when it comes to cannabis. They’re up to date with the latest products, strains, and consumption methods, so unlike your retailer, they’re even better people to build relationships with. They are familiar with questions about THC levels, guidelines for first-time dosing, and many other common issues that they can answer, and you can rest assured that their recommendations are sound.

RELATED: 5 quick tips to find a good pharmacy

The more you develop relationships with your budtender, the more familiar they will become with your personal preferences and unique needs. Over time, they can make excellent recommendations and give you the support you really need. You’ll enjoy getting references based on your budget, specific health goals, and lifestyle.

Safety and health risk reduction: If you buy from a dealer or someone you don’t know very well, there’s no real way to tell if the weed you’re smoking is synthetic.

The rise of synthetic cannabis is extremely dangerous and has caused both hospitalizations and deaths. Traders are only out for profit. As previously mentioned, cannabis sold in licensed dispensaries should undergo some testing to ensure you are consuming cannabis that is safe and free of nasty things like mold and toxins – all of which pose serious health risks.

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You will not support criminals: Buying cannabis on the black market means your dollar will go towards supporting violent crime, while buying it from a dispensary supports local businesses and the economy while helping to improve the healthcare system.

Also remember that illegal cannabis growers don’t care about the environment and the quality of the products they produce. They use tons of herbicides and pesticides that are so dangerous to use because they just don’t care.

RELATED: 4 things you need to know before visiting a marijuana dispensary

That being said, there are things you should consider before going to a pharmacy, especially if it’s your first time.

For one thing, budtenders will want to know what effects you’re aiming for. Want a strain that will energize or calm you down? Are you looking for medical relief for a specific condition? If you know what you’re looking for, they can tailor a recommendation based on your needs. Never be afraid to ask questions as it is always so much better to know that you are leaving a pharmacy with a purchase you made because you were educated and informed.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.