What to expect your first time at a cannabis dispensary

Many people become anxious at the thought of entering a dispensary. They don’t know what to expect, they think they might be going into a “head-shop” where everyone wears tie-died shirts. They think they are doing something bad, or that they are bad people for crossing the threshold of a “pot shop.”

Nope, that’s not how it works. Everyone who works in a dispensary is a professional and while we may sometimes wear cannabis jewelry (I love my bracelet) we are here to help you figure out the best cannabis products for your needs whether those needs be recreation or therapeutic.

Expect to be carded and to show photo identification

Right now if you want to go into a therapeutic cannabis dispensary you need to show your NH State card along with a photo id. If you don’t have both pieces of identification, you won’t be allowed in the building. Period. There are no exceptions.

When cannabis becomes legal, just like you would at a liquor store, you’ll have to show at the very least a photo id to prove that you are both a resident and an adult over the age of 21.

Expect to be prepared

Make sure all paperwork is completed before you go to your first visit or consultation. Many dispensaries (especially therapeutic ones) require you submit additional information (contact information, and if therapeutic – your qualifying condition(s) and symptoms, etc.)

Although you may not understand what’s offered on the menu, check out the dispensary’s website and what it offers (the menus are often updated daily.) It’s a good idea to have an idea of what is available and what types of products are offered (inhalation, ingestion, and transdermal.)

Expect access to a consultation

At many dispensaries, consultations are offered to new patients (and to continuing patients who request them.) If you have any questions about cannabis and how to take it, or if you have questions about your specific condition and what products would be best to take, schedule a consultation to speak with someone who can guide you.

Expect that there might be a wait

There are a lot of people in the therapeutic cannabis program (and there will be many more buying cannabis when it becomes legal.) People may be new to the program or they may have questions about the different products. This can translate into some wait time.

There are certain times during the day and month when the dispensary is more busy than others. Mornings are typically busy as are after-work, weekend hours and “pay days.”

After your first visit, many dispensaries offer an “Express Order” option which allows you to call in or enter your order online. When you get to the dispensary you are often served in a faster moving line before other waiting customers who did not place an Express Order. Check with the dispensary and see what order options are available.

Expect to be overwhelmed

Going into a dispensary for the first time can be overwhelming. You don’t need to have all the answers (that’s what the technicians are here for) you just need to know that there are people there to help you (and they will answer the same questions over and over until you understand.)

We have all been taught that using cannabis is a *bad* thing. It’s not, you just need to learn how to use it properly and you need to know that all dispensary technicians are professionals who really want to help you on your cannabis journey.

Expect to pay cash

Right now in New Hampshire, cannabis dispensaries can only accept cash. No debit or credit cards, and no checks. Cannabis is not cheap, be sure to bring enough cash for what you plan to buy (and if you need to know prices check out the dispensary website or menu.)

Wendy E. N. Thomas is a candidate for the New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough County, District 21. She is also in the NH Therapeutic Cannabis program. Thomas agrees with the State-wide Democratic platform of legalizing cannabis in New Hampshire, she would also like to see the Therapeutic Cannabis program expanded to include Anxiety, Lyme Disease, and insomnia (for starters.)

Thomas also understands that people need to know about what cannabis can do, how to keep it away from children, and how to use it responsibly (in the same way that the alcohol industry talks about responsible drinking.)

All opinions reflected in this article and any future articles on the Democratic cannabis platform are the opinions of Candidate Thomas and do not reflect any company or industry.

Thomas works at Prime ATC in Merrimack as a Patient Liaison. The contents of this article are not sanctioned by Prime ATC or any of its affiliates.