How to Be a Polite Tourist
I bought marijuana last weekend. Not from some friend of a friend of a friend, but from a real dispensary in Boulder, Colorado. In Boulder, like the rest of Colorado, there are recreational marijuana pharmacies where you can legally buy marijuana. It was cool.
But although my partner had bought legal marijuana in the past, I knew nothing about the standard operating procedure for buying buds. If you are not a native or only visit the state to buy cannabis while on vacation, you may want to follow a few simple guidelines to become an exemplary dispensary client. The dispensary, like the locals, will appreciate it.
Keep your ID close at hand
Visiting an outpatient clinic requires proof that you are 21 years old, which means getting an ID. You will have to show it twice: first when you walk through the door, and again when you finally buy resting cannabis. Dispensaries strictly check their IDs, with some scanning IDs to make sure they are legal.
Bring cash
Do not rely on using your credit card for purchases at the dispensary.
Since marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug at the federal level, it is illegal for dispensaries to use bank accounts to process transactions, which means you cannot buy it with a debit or credit card. In most situations, you will need cash. Some dispensaries have ATM machines for your convenience, but you should call ahead to check again.
Plan for the future
You need to be prepared before walking in the door and familiarize yourself with what you might be interested in buying. This means doing a little research ahead of time, checking the dispensary’s website and inventory, and asking friends who are more familiar with marijuana than you are about the best way to get started if this is your first time. Be sure to check their opening hours as well; some dispensaries open late, some open early, and some close on certain days of the week.
Cameras and phones – no, no
You should refrain from looking at the last minute and share your current favorable weed situation with the world until you get home. I almost got kicked out of the first dispensary I visited, simply because my DSLR was hanging on my wrist, despite the fact that it had a lens cap. Dispensaries have a pretty strict no-photo policy that should be followed unless you want to be kicked out of the store.
Be nice with your bud, gentle
Your bud grower is your marijuana broker, the person behind the counter, who helps you choose the right product. This means you should treat them with the same respect you give your friendly neighbor mixologist, not like a bricklayer who just loves weed. They will be happy to help if you are polite. It helps to think ahead about your questions so you don’t stare dumbfounded while your delicate kidney waits for your brain to catch up with your mouth.
You don’t have to feel obligated, but if you want to tip your buds, you should read the rules beforehand. In some states, such as Washington, DC, tipping is allowed as long as it is not related to product prices or is used to evade certain taxes.
Smoke ‘Em if you got’ Em (at home)
Smoking marijuana in public places is still illegal, despite an increasing number of states that have legalized recreational use. This means that you cannot smoke it outside the clinic you just left. In some states, such as Maine and Massachusetts, criminals are fined up to $ 100 for smoking in public places.