What you should know before visiting a pharmacy for the first time

At Leafly, we believe there is a first time for everything, including your very first visit to a marijuana dispensary. We also know that a good first experience often boils down to expectations and that many people want to know exactly what to expect before they even think about going to a pharmacy.

In this post, we’re going to break down every nuance of the pharmacy experience so you can feel informed, confident, and empowered when buying cannabis. A trip to the pharmacy isn’t as complicated as a trip to Ikea, but there are a few key tips you should know to make your first experience a positive one.

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Before going to a pharmacy

Get in the right mood

The most important thing to do before your visit is the right attitude.

The truth is, many people initially shy away from visiting a pharmacy because of the stigma that comes with it. But visiting and buying from a legal marijuana dispensary is your legal right, and the process can easily be compared to visiting a liquor store (more on that later).

The final result? Rest assured that what you are going to do is extremely legal and that you are also supporting a small business in your community.

Have a cannabis goal

If this is your first time at a pharmacy, you may not know exactly what cannabis products to buy, and that’s fine.

Instead of focusing on the products you want, we suggest thinking about the effects you want (or don’t want to feel) to feel. It’s also helpful to think about flavors and smells that you like (and dislike). For example, if you like the taste and aroma of grapefruit but don’t want to feel sleepy, your goal may be to find a stimulant product that tastes like grapefruit. Keep this goal in mind as you make your way to the pharmacy. On the other hand, if you have a strain in mind, head to Leafly to learn more about its specific flavors and effects.

Bring your ID and cash

This is pretty easy to get right. In practically every pharmacy, the firm rule applies that valid proof of identity is required before entering the country and that you must be at least 21 years old. The best proof of identity is a valid government-issued driver’s license or ID card. Credit cards and other cashless payment methods are not accepted in most pharmacies. Cannabis is a pure cash economy.

Note that cannabis products have a wide price range depending on what you buy. Be ready to spend anywhere between $ 30 and $ 150 on your first purchase. If you forget or run out of cash, many dispensing points have ATMs, although you will likely have to pay an additional ATM fee in addition to your cash withdrawal.

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When you’re at the pharmacy

Expect a line, wait for a budget tender

Depending on the size of the pharmacy, you may need to prepare to queue up either indoors or outdoors. That means checking the weather before you set off so you don’t get stuck in the cold. Pharmacy lines tend to move quickly. You can avoid waiting times by dropping in early morning or late evening outside of rush hour. You can also ask the pharmacy staff what their peak hours are.

The reason for the line is simple: many pharmacies operate on a one-to-one budget-to-customer basis. You may be asked to wait for a budget tender to become available and then, with the help of the budget tender, go forward and browse the store selection.

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take your time

When it comes to the pharmacy counter, people often feel like they have to hurry up. Even if you have a queue of people behind you, don’t stress yourself. Take your time. Chat with the budtender and ask questions about cannabis products. Your budget tender will work with you to find the best products for you based on your budget, needs and desires. Pro tip: Many pharmacies offer discounts for first-time customers, so ask your budget tender if it’s available.

Pay: taxes, ID, cash

Due to the Bundesbank laws, cannabis is a pure cash business. Your budtender may ask to double-check your ID before purchasing. That is normal. Legal cannabis pharmacies take age limits very seriously. Your final bill may be more than you estimated due to state and local taxes, which are usually exceptionally high on cannabis products.

Tip your budtender

While budtenders don’t just work for tips, they are very encouraged. When deciding how much to tip your budget tender, consider the level of customer service and the total amount you will be spending on cannabis. For example, if you’ve spent $ 25 on cannabis products and your budtender gives you great customer service, you might consider tipping $ 5.

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After the pharmacy

Check your strain on Leafly

After you’ve had the chance to try your goodies, leave a strain review on Leafly. Reviewing the strains you’ve tried will also help other cannabis users learn about them. If you’ve created a free Leafly account, leaving strain reviews will give you an overview of all the strains you’ve tried and how you felt about them.

Check the pharmacy for leafly

Pharmacies love to hear about your experiences in their business. Most pharmacies are small businesses so your feedback will be taken seriously. Your review has the potential to help these small business owners stand out from the crowd. To leave a pharmacy review, find the pharmacy page on Leafly and share what you liked or disliked about the experience. You can also rate the pharmacy on a scale from one to five stars.

Reorder at Leafly

When you are ready to purchase more cannabis products, remember that you can place your order online for collection through activated dispensaries. When you use Leafly Pickup you don’t have to pay anything until you get to the store and you can research the varieties that interest you before you make a purchase. To place an online order through Leafly, see our list of pharmacies that offer pickup near you.

Cassidy Rush

Cassidy is a Seattle-based SEO specialist and writer on cannabis. Before joining Leafly, she was a writer for PayScale and Delta Dental.

View article by Cassidy Rush

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