With marijuana businesses becoming more commonplace in Colorado, the state has seen a notable increase in recreational dispensary customers. Many of these visitors are from out of state and are visiting friends and family in Colorado. They likely see a recreational dispensary visit as a unique and fun experience. While it certainly can be that, some people may tend to over-do it with recreational marijuana and can make themselves ill.
A recreational dispensary is by no means unsafe and you can have a good (and safe) time with recreational marijuana, provided you consume it responsibly. Here are a few things to know before you visit a recreational dispensary, or take out-of-state visitors to one.
Bring Your ID
To enter a recreational dispensary, you have to be at least 21 years old and have a government issued ID verifying this. Also be aware that if you are not a resident of Colorado, you can only purchase a quarter of an ounce per visit.
Know What You’re Buying
Once you enter a recreational dispensary, your “budtender” (guide) will explain to you the different types of products for sale and answer any questions you may have about them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, as the cannabis market in Colorado is highly innovative and new products come out regularly. While most budtenders are fairly knowledgeable, knowing some of the basics already is advisable.
Here is a brief list of the common types of cannabis that are sold.
- Flower/Buds: the traditional cannabis you see on television, which is the whole bud of the plant. As this is the raw plant, it requires more work to be made into something you can smoke. It needs to be ground up before it can be used in smoking or cooking. Buds range in size and color can vary with oranges and reds often visible. If you’re inexperienced with cannabis use, buds are a great place to start.
- Kief: is a fine powder that is created when you grind cannabis buds. This powder is ground THC crystals which are a naturally occurring part of cannabis plants. As THC is the primary active ingredient in cannabis, kief produces a strong effect when smoked. Many users smoke the powder itself with a filtered pipe or add it to ground buds to enhance their effectiveness.
- Hash Oil: vaping has become very popular in recent years as an alternative to tobacco smoking. As vaping is another fast growing and innovative industry, it’s no surprise there would be some overlap with cannabis. As vaporizers use liquids, cannabis can be liquefied into a THC/CBD oil which can be vaped in a vaporizer. If you already vape or want a cleaner method of cannabis consumption than smoking, oils are a good solution.
- Wax: also commonly known as hash or budder, wax is cannabis oil which is further refined into a butter-like substance. Much like hash oil, it can be melted and smoked as a liquid in a vaporizer. Another popular way of using it is to place it on top of an already full pipe and allow it to melt and mix in with the plant, which increases potency.
- Edibles: the “pot brownie” is a method of eating cannabis that is very well known. In Colorado, a multitude of cannabis-infused snacks – including brownies – and drinks are being made. When eating such an edible, be sure to read the label to see how much cannabis is in it. While some are quite mild, others are very potent and could be overpowering for a novice.
Bring Cash
As a new industry, recreational dispensaries often have problems with bank cards and collecting payments. Because of this, many operate on cash-only to avoid payment processing issues. If you must use a card, call in advance to make sure they take debit as a payment option. In general, it is advisable to bring cash just to avoid any payment issues.
There Are Tours
Another way of enjoying a recreational dispensary visit is to go on a full tour run by a recreational tour company. To help visitors who want to enjoy the growing cannabis industry but are new to it, several companies are now running tours. These tours can be as small as a group dispensary tour to a full weekend retreat with hotel accommodations and other perks. If you’re looking for a more guided way to visit dispensaries, a dispensary a tour may be a good idea as not only can you get sound advice and see several different places, but you also get to enjoy the trip with other tourists.
Chronic Therapy
When looking for a recreational dispensary in Colorado, a visit to Chronic Therapy should be at the top of your list. A family run business, Chronic Therapy offers top-of-the-line products, innovation, and a polite and knowledgeable staff. If you have any questions about recreational marijuana, please contact Chronic Therapy today!