With more and more cannabis dispensaries popping up in convenient locations, the cannabis shopping experience has shifted tremendously. You can now walk into a professionally laid-out retail store and experience quality customer service.
With more dispensaries come more questions for those new to the cannabis community.
Here are common questions about recreational cannabis dispensaries answered:
- What is a Government-Owned and Operated Dispensary?
Government-owned dispensaries are strictly owned by their respective provincial governments. However, some provinces choose to license the right to sell cannabis to privately run dispensaries.
The federal government allows for the in-person sale of cannabis as well as online sales from a licensed provider. However, each province is allowed to make amendments to regulations.
For example, British Columbia decided to allow private cannabis stores to sell non-medical cannabis products online and in-store in lieu of reserving products online and paying in person.
- How Are These Different Than Privately-Owned Dispensaries?
Privately-owned dispensaries can be opened under Canada’s Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) that allows retailers to cultivate and sell recreational cannabis.
They are, however, still controlled by provincial jurisdictions so each province has a different way for licensed cannabis dispensary operations to operate.
A good example would be the provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia – they are the only provinces that allow for the private delivery of cannabis products purchased from a privately-owned dispensary.
Are Online Dispensaries Legal?
In essence, yes, online dispensaries are legal. Depending on the province, you can purchase recreational cannabis online from either a government-run website or from a licensed private seller.
Making sure the retailer you are purchasing cannabis from can be a different story. Here are some tips to ensure you are safely purchasing marijuana online:
- Look for information regarding the product, such as an excise stamp which guarantees that the product is produced according to health and safety standards. This stamp will also indicate that the product contains accurate THC levels and no other substances.
- Look at the design of the website. Poorly designed sites, with broken links and images, are often a sign that the retailer is not legit.
- Check for company information. The retailer’s site should include contact information, the company’s history, return policies, and privacy policies.
- Beware of how the retailer accepts payment. Many illegal retailers will request payment via e-transfers.
- Stay away from sites that don’t attempt to verify your age. They are likely not a legal entity.
- How Can I Find a Recreational Cannabis Dispensary in My Area?
Finding a recreational cannabis dispensary in your area is as easy as doing a Google search! You can also use an online tool such as WeedMaps.
When you do search for local dispensaries and find a cannabis dispensary you like, pay attention to customer reviews as well as their online menu and prices. This way, you can get an idea of the type of cannabis they sell as well as if they have a large variety of products and consumption methods.
Otherwise, you can always turn to the cannabis community online to see where they recommend you purchase your products.
- What Should I Look For When Choosing a Dispensary?
One thing you should definitely look for when choosing a recreational dispensary is how knowledgeable the staff is. Unless you are a cannabis connoisseur, you should look for employees that can help guide you to products to suit your individual needs.
As a matter of personal preference, you may enjoy an atmosphere that is a bit more relaxed and laid back or feel more comfortable with a doctor’s office-type feel.
With more cannabis stores cropping up across the country, you can choose between a variety of locations.
- Are Marijuana Products Cheaper at a Recreational Dispensary?
Statistics Canada has released information indicating that buying weed on the black market is cheaper than purchasing it at a licensed dispensary. However, the numbers coming from the purchase of illicit weed is based on anonymous polling and not entirely accurate.
It’s been determined that the differences in price between licensed retailers and “a guy you know” are not that significant.
Overall, you may notice a price difference when it comes to buying amounts larger than an ounce – but that shouldn’t tempt you to purchase cannabis products that could potentially unsafe and illegal to consume.
- What Can I Expect When I Visit a Dispensary Near Me?
As soon as you walk through the door of a recreational cannabis dispensary, expect to have your ID checked. By law, dispensaries are required to check your age to ensure you are of legal age to purchase marijuana.
Once inside, you will be greeted by an employee who will help you find the product you are looking for. It helps to have an idea of what type of cannabis you want before visiting a dispensary.
Products are not available to grab on the sales floor. You will need an employee to show you the store’s selection before making your purchase.
The great thing about visiting a licensed dispensary is that you can ask all the questions you need to ensure that you are receiving the perfect product.
- Can I Have My Products Delivered?
If you’re not comfortable walking into a recreational dispensary, depending on the rules in your region, you may have cannabis products delivered to your home.
The rules for dispensaries, both government-owned and privately-owned, vary when it comes to shipping and delivery services. You should call ahead to confirm if you can order products through their site and have them sent through the mail.
If you can have your weed delivered just remember that the package must be accepted by someone who can prove they are of legal age.
- Local Cannabis Options Are On The Rise!
Hopefully this article answers any questions you may have had regarding licensed cannabis dispensaries in Canada.
With legal cannabis availability on the rise, it seems that dispensaries are here to stay – so why not visit one today?
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