How to Find the Right Dispensary
You went to see a medical marijuana doctor. You were accepted into Nevada’s medical marijuana program. All you have to do now is figure out how to find the right dispensary, and you’ll be all set.
You do know how to find the right dispensary…right?
If not, it’s all good. We understand. There are 40 dispensaries in Southern Nevada, 29 in Las Vegas alone. That’s a lot to choose from, and it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a new patient.
That’s why we’ve put together this mini-guide to help you figure out how to find the right dispensary. Here are six things you need to consider:
1. Location
If you need your medicine on a regular basis so that you can manage your pain, you don’t want to have to trek across town in order to get it. You want a dispensary that’s either close to your home or close to an area of town that you travel to frequently, such as your place of employment.
Your dispensary should also be in a safe location. All purchases will have to be made in cash, and unless the dispensary already has an ATM machine inside, you’ll have to walk from your car to the dispensary with all your cash on you. You’ll also have to walk back from the dispensary to the car with your marijuana.
Scope out the neighborhood where the dispensary is located. If it looks sketchy, consider going somewhere else or at least see if a dispensary security guard can accompany you to and from your vehicle.
Some dispensaries offer a delivery service, which is ideal for patients with limited mobility or whose favorite dispensaries are far from their homes. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll probably have to purchase a certain amount of product before the dispensary will agree to deliver it to you.
2. Staff Knowledge and Experience
There are hundreds of different marijuana strains on the market as well as marijuana-infused products. If you’re a first-time patient, the dispensary staff will be your indispensable guide to helping you find the right type and strain of marijuana for your illness. They can also advise you on the best way to consume your marijuana, the best products and the best dosage.
Remember: if marijuana is a medicine, the job of the dispensary staff is to facilitate your healing. In order to do their job effectively, the staff needs to know their stuff. They should have a comprehensive understanding of their products, and they should be committed to patient service and satisfaction. This will help guarantee that you get the best kind of medicine.
If the staff appears too lax, or they’re unable to provide you with competent answers to your questions, you’re probably in the wrong place.
3. Products
Obviously, a dispensary can’t carry every single product that exists, but they should have a wide selection of diverse products available. There are two reasons for this:
A Patient’s Needs Change Over Time
When I first started using medical marijuana, I was primarily a smoker. These days, I don’t want to bring a lot of smoke into my lungs, so now I’m more interested in vaporizers and edibles.
Depending on the current state of your health, you might have a preferred method of consumption or a favorite product. As time passes, your needs might change It’s comforting to know that, no matter how your preferences transform over time, your dispensary will be equipped to address those changes and continue providing you with quality products. Which brings me to my second point…
It Shows That Your Dispensary is Forward-Thinking
When a dispensary carries a wide variety of products, it means they’re not only well-prepared for the constantly changing needs of their patients, but they’re also paying close attention to the medical marijuana industry as a whole. As the science around medical marijuana continues to develop, newer and more beneficial products will be developed as well.
If your dispensary is doing its job, they’ll be carrying those new products as soon as they’re available. If they’re really ahead of the game, they’ll be carrying exclusive products – products that you can only buy at their dispensaries.
4. Pricing
Now it’s time to get down to business. How much should a dispensary charge you for your purchases?
Well, it depends. Marijuana flowers can range anywhere from $13 to $18 per gram or $30 to $50 per eighth of an ounce.
If you’re paying less than that, you’re either getting a good deal or a terrible product.
If you’re paying more than that, you’re either getting a great product or a terrible deal!
Sites like Leafly and Weedmaps can help you compare dispensary menu prices; that way, you can get a good sense of what you should be paying for certain products.
Dispensaries typically offer discounts for first-time customers, or they offer you a free product, such as a pre-rolled joint, with your first purchase. I suggest subscribing to a dispensary’s email newsletter so that you can learn about upcoming specials, deals and discounts.
Finally, some dispensaries offer rewards to their “valued customers” (“Buy 5 and Get 1 Free” type of deals), so keep an eye out for those offers as well.
Don’t forget that if you’re buying medical marijuana in Las Vegas, you’ll have to pay both the 8.15% sales tax as well a 2% excise tax, which comes to a 10.15% tax on every purchase.
The 8.15% sales tax is a combination of the state sales tax, which is 4.6%, and the county sales tax (in this case, Clark County) which is 3.55%. Fortunately, there is no city sales tax in Las Vegas, and if you’re purchasing medical marijuana outside of Clark County, the sales tax is a bit lower.
5. The Dispensary’s Core Values
A dispensary’s core values are what separate the dispensary from businesses that just want to separate you from your money.
Earlier, I said that the dispensary’s job is to facilitate healing. Being a healer is a rewarding but serious task.
How committed is your dispensary to the role of healer? How committed are they to patient care? Are they willing to listen to your needs and concerns while they’re recommending different products? Are they focused on providing you with the right kind of medicine, or are they constantly trying to upsell you and persuade you to buy products you don’t need?
Go to the dispensary’s website and take a look at their “About” page. Find out who they are and what they stand for. Ask yourself, “Do I feel comfortable putting my health in their hands?” And this brings me to my final point…
6. If You REALLY Want to Know How to Find the Right Dispensary, Just Go With Your Gut
The information I’ve given you is designed to help you figure out how to find the right dispensary…for you. Ultimately, the decision is yours, so whatever choice you make, you should feel comfortable with that choice.
If the dispensary has a nice vibe and feels right for you, that’s a good sign.
If being inside the place makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, that’s not a good sign.
When all else fails, go with your gut. But if your gut happens to be in silent mode, don’t forget about websites like Leafly and Weedmaps; they can help you compare dispensaries, menus, deals and customer reviews.
Of course, if you have any questions about how to find the right dispensary, feel free to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
