What in the World Do I Buy at a Dispensary?!

With more and more states legalizing cannabis, that means more and more people are being introduced to the wonderful world of weed!  If you're walking into a dispensary for the very first time, however, strap in, cause you're in for a real treat!

These days, dispensaries are run with the efficiency of an Apple Store, with products on beautiful displays, walls full of plant clones, and depending on your state, counters filled with flower and concentrates galore.  We get it though, if it is your first time walking into the literal cannabis heaven store, the experience can be a little daunting or downright overwhelming.

So strap yourselves in, we're going to a dispensary!

BEFORE YOU GO!

Here's a quick checklist to go over before you head out to the dispensary for the first time:

• Bring your current government issued ID
• Bring a printed copy of your Medical Marijuana Recommendation
• Be prepared to leave your phone in the car or not visible while inside the store - for the safety, security, and privacy of everyone
• If you're looking for something specific, write down the name, brand, and the dosage of the product (2.5MG, 10MG, etc.) so your budtender can help you find exactly what you need and/or want.
• Leave the kids at home - dispensaries are age-restricted establishments
• Be prepared to wait - some dispensaries have first time patient paperwork that needs to be filled out before you can shop, and the lines at dispensaries can move slow.  Don't worry though, that means you won't be rushed out when it's your turn at the counter!
• If you can, bring a friend or loved one who has been to a dispensary before and is familiar with different cannabis products.  They can help you make decisions, understand what different products will do, and give you insight into how they might affect you personally.
• Call the dispensary ahead of time to see if they offer consultation or personal shopper appointments for first-timers.  Many dispensaries already do this, assigning a budtender to you that can answer any and all questions while you're actively perusing through the store.

Today, dispensaries are for a lot more than finding something to get high with.  Everyday, dispensaries are visited by people looking for relief from all sorts of physical, psychological, and otherwise unpleasant effects of existing.  If you're someone looking for a more function-based experience through cannabis, consider calling up your local dispensary to make a one-on-one appointment with a budtender.

Keep in mind that budtenders are not doctors, nor are they certified to offer any type of 'cure' for medical illnesses.  Their recommendations are based on the effects each product provides and how these effects may benefit you in some way, whether it be helping you to sleep or anything else!

STEP 1: PULL UP & CHECK IN

STEP 2: BROWSE THE SALES FLOOR

The sales floor, where products are displayed, is where the magic happens!  Many dispensaries carry hundreds of products, with options to consume in ways you couldn't imagine.

Topical patches, creams, and salves for chronic pain; oils and suppositories for the chronically ill; candy, cookies, and chips for the hard partiers; disposable vapes and micro-dose level products for the busy parents - the options are endless. 

We recommend taking a few minutes to browse the floor, then head to the counter to connect with a budtender, or an employee who is familiar with all the products in the store, their uses, and  potency.

STEP 3: AT THE COUNTER

Once you're at the counter, explain to the budtender what your needs are.  Go into as much detail as you're comfortable sharing, the more they know, the better they can assist you.  Budtenders are trains to give you recommendations for products based on the information you give them.  They'll explain to you what the product is, how it's used, how strong it is, and what the average experience would be once the high sets in.

If you're purchasing something that requires accessories, like concentrates, vape cartridges, or dried flower, they'll help you find everything you need to roll, dab,  or vape your cannabis.   Consider the relationship you build with your budtenders as your personal store guide.

WHERE DO I START?

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO CHILL OUT & DE-STRESS:

• 1:1 or similar ratio THC:CBD vape pens
• Microdose potency edibles
• Mini pre-rolls

When it comes to chilling out, the goal is to feel THC's uncanny ability to relax.  However, there's a very fine line between relaxing and being so chill that you can't do much else.

THC to CBD ratios and micro-dosing either pre-rolls or edibles rely on you taking the minimal amount necessary to achieve this feeling.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO MANAGE FEELING NAUSEOUS:

• BLVK Label Disposables
• Tinctures are easy on your stomach
• Smoking flower/pre-rolls

Feeling nauseous is an odd one.  Quite literally anything and everything can turn your stomach in a way that can ruin your day.  And once you feel nauseous there are only two ways to go about feeling better: 1) deal with the discomfort, and 2) go to the bathroom.

Lucky, there is a third solution: WEED!

THC possesses a few inherent properties, most notably, the ability to ease feelings of nausea when consuming larger doses.  This however, reveals a different pickle: how would one consume large amounts of THC but with an upset stomach where the mere sight of food would make the problem worse? 

Since edibles have to be digested, that alone rules out the most effective solution.  Luckily, inhaling cannabis and/or taking a sublingual tincture bypasses your stomach altogether.

Terpene-wise, you ought to be looking for strains high in either caryophyllene and/or limonene.  Both of which are present in Scoop'd, which is a heavy indica blend available as a BLVK Label Disposable.  Other notable blends are Suge Kush and Nana Split both of which possess incredibly high levels of caryophyllene.

YOU  WILL FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, WE PROMISE

Popular opinion: cannabis is one hell of a substance.  Beyond enjoying a nice high, the plant is universal in helping you feel good on so many aspects.  And over the last several years, people's accessibility to it has only gotten easier.

If you were dreading setting foot in a dispensary, we hope this guide helps you make an informed decision.  At the end of the day, whether you pick up our BLVK Label disposables or some other brand, we truly hope it helps you achieve the feeling you're looking for.  Best of luck in finding your new favorite cannabis product!