Walking into a dispensary for the first time can be exciting, but also fairly intimidating, especially if you don’t know the etiquette surrounding buying weed in a shop. Dispensaries are a recent addition to the Colorado landscape and there are still kinks to be worked out while shop owners and weed shoppers are learning the ropes together.

At LiveGreen, we want you to always feel comfortable and welcome in our shop, no matter the reason for your visit. Here are some of the basics you need to know when it comes to shopping for weed.

Be Aware of Weed Laws

Our dispensary is open to both medical marijuana patients and recreational marijuana users. When purchasing weed for recreational purposes, you’ll have to show state-issued, current identification. It’s illegal for us to sell to recreational users under the age of 21, and you’ll be carded no matter how old you look. Strict limits are also placed on how much marijuana you can buy in a single transaction. For residents of Colorado, it’s an ounce; for non-residents, it’s one-quarter of an ounce, or seven grams.

It’s important to note that your ID card should be in good condition before you go weed shopping. It won’t be accepted if it’s been damaged, some of the information is unreadable, it has expired, or has pretty much any other problem. It has to be in very good shape. If it’s not, we won’t be able to accept it.

Bring Green to Buy Green

Due to conflicting federal and state laws regarding marijuana, most dispensaries operate on a cash-only basis. Walking out with weed requires walking in with cash. Some dispensaries offer ATM machines, and some don’t. If you’re not sure whether the dispensary has an ATM, take cash with you, or you could end up leaving without buds, edibles, or anything else.

Go Phoneless

Every dispensary has different rules about whether or not visitors can take pictures inside the shop. As nearly every cell phone has a camera that can be used surreptitiously, many dispensaries have “no phone” policies. Even without these policies, though, it’s a good idea to leave the cell in your pocket or at home. Calls and texts can distract you and others around you, so it’s quicker, easier, and more polite to shop for weed without your phone.

Talk to the Person Behind the Counter

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of our staff! They’re friendly and knowledgeable, and can help steer you toward the right strains and products to fit your needs. It’s important to ask questions, and also to be honest and candid about your experiences (or lack thereof) in the past, as well as what you’d like from your weed experience.

All of these factors may change the strain and method of ingestion we recommend, so don’t be afraid to talk to us. Once you have a little bit of experience under your belt, you’ll be able to determine what you want without much help. Until then, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask a load of questions.

There is one question you should never ask, though. Don’t ask for extra weed with your purchase. We can’t give it to you, no matter how much we might like you, personally. We’re subject to strict monitoring at every stage of our sales cycle, and we could get in a lot of trouble for tossing you an extra nug.

Be Safe Post-Purchase

Marijuana dispensary etiquette is about more than just what goes on inside the shop. We want you to be safe and stay out of trouble when enjoying our products. Don’t smoke or ingest edibles in our parking lot, or any public space; doing so is illegal. It’s also illegal to drive under the influence of any drug, including marijuana, so go home and settle in before you use our products.

Some Additional Advice

Be careful when starting your weed journey. Try a little and see how you feel in a few hours. If you’re not satisfied with the results, try a bit more. The elevation in Colorado can have very noticeable effects on visitors from outside the state, so moderation and hydration are particularly important. Drink a lot of water, take it easy on your dosages, and be mindful that higher elevations can enhance the effects of marijuana.

Visit LiveGreen

As marijuana acceptance becomes more prevalent across the United States, we want to provide an accessible avenue for those who are curious about marijuana, veteran recreational users, medical patients, and others to experience the healing, calming effects of cannabis. We offer high-quality products, knowledgeable staff members, and four convenient locations to better serve you. We want your experience with cannabis to be both positive and personal. We invite you to visit one of our shops to experience the difference cannabis can make. Come elevate your life – LiveGreen.