The Top 10 States With Recreational Dispensaries

Unfortunately for us cannabis lovers, there are only some states with recreational cannabis dispensaries. Recreational weed is not legal in every state just yet.

Luckily, there are plenty of states where you can enjoy recreational cannabis, from flower to drinks to gummies and more. These are the top 10.

New York

In New York state, it is legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis and cannabis products for personal use. They must be used in personal/private spaces, so you can’t consume cannabis in public. New York is a pretty cannabis-friendly state and has plenty of recreational dispensaries you can visit.

According to government data, there are close to 225 cannabis dispensaries in the state, so you have lots of options. These dispensaries sell everything from THC water to vape cartridges to edible gummies and beyond. Please keep in mind that most do not accept credit cards, and very few accept debit, so bring cash with you.

Some of our favorite New York recreational cannabis dispensaries include:

• Knarich Family Farm LLC
• Etain Health
• Just Breathe Cannabis Dispensary
• Greenery Spot
• Vireo Health

You’ll find a wealth of cannabis goodies at these locations.

California

People love to associate cannabis with California, and for good reason. This is one of the best states with recreational cannabis dispensaries because it has more than any other state, with a quarter of all U.S. dispensaries being in Cali. That means they have close to 4,000 dispensaries! We love a wide selection!

Of course, recreational cannabis is legal in California and has been since 2016. Like all states with legal cannabis, you must be 21 or older to purchase and consume cannabis products.

Did You Know?: California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana, but it took them about 20 years to legalize recreational cannabis.

Cali dispensaries can be very cool, with laid-back vibes and interesting products. The best recreational cannabis dispensaries in California include:

• Cali Kosher
• Cannabie Cannabis
• Caliva
• The Syndicate
• Calaveras Little Trees

Colorado

Colorado is another state that often comes to mind when people think about cannabis. All adults over the age of 21 can purchase and enjoy cannabis products. They achieved this goal in 2012 and have been vibing with weed for over a decade now.

Did You Know?: Colorado was the very first state to legalize recreational cannabis use.

It’s estimated that Colorado has over 700 recreational dispensaries. While this doesn’t come close to California’s numbers, there are still ample dispensaries for adults to visit and get the goods.

Some of our favorite dispensaries in Colorado are:

• Mountain Medicals
• Alpine Essentials
• Haylow Cannabis Company
• Best Budz
• Herbal Healing

All these dispensaries carry a wide variety of THC products, from edible cookies to concentrates and more.

Michigan

Unlike Cali and Colorado, people don’t always think of Michigan when they think of states with recreational dispensaries. But the Great Lakes State has many, many dispensaries to choose from. The state even has almost as many as Colorado! Michigan has roughly 650 recreational dispensaries, making it easy for everyone to find the cannabis products they need and want.

As always, you must be 21 or older to purchase and use cannabis products. Interestingly, Michigan became the first midwestern state to embrace marijuana, legalizing medicinal use in 2008 and then recreational cannabis in 2018. The first dispensaries opened their doors in 2019, and the green scene in Michigan has been thriving ever since.

The best dispensaries in Michigan to visit are:

• Greener Days
• Fire Island
• Consume Cannabis Co
• How Smooth It Is
• Lucky Buds

We love these names!

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has always been a progressive state, and it did not take them long at all to join states like California and Colorado in legally embracing marijuana. Medical marijuana became legal in 2012, and four years later, in 2016, recreational cannabis followed the same path.

The laws concerning how much marijuana you can be in possession of are stricter than many other states on this list. You can only have one ounce in your possession, including stored in your personal home. Some states allow you to have up to five pounds in your home, so one ounce is very little, but still enough to get blazed and buzzed!

There are many recreational cannabis dispensaries in Massachusetts to love. Our top picks are:

• Garden Remedies
• KOSA
• MJ’s Market
• Botera
• KindRun

New Jersey

We don’t think New Jersey gets enough credit for being a cannabis-friendly state! They legalized medical marijuana all the way back in 2010. However, recreational cannabis didn’t get the okay until 2021, so they did take their sweet time. Nevertheless, the state now has a plethora of dispensaries to choose from.

Just for perspective, the possession limit here is six ounces — six times as much as Massachusetts. One interesting law is that it is illegal for people who are not approved growers in NJ to own and cultivate a cannabis plant, even if it is hemp. However, the rest of the marijuana laws align with other states, including that you must be 21 and that you cannot consume cannabis products in public.

But you don’t need to grow when you can visit dispensaries in New Jersey like:

• MaNirva Goodness
• Silverleaf Dispensary
• Moe Weed
• NJ LEAF
• Kandie Skyy

Oregon

Oregon doesn’t get enough credit as a weed-friendly state. However, with many transplants moving to Portland, because they can get the green there, it is getting a higher reputation.

Did You Know?: Oregon was the first state to decriminalize marijuana in 1973, so they deserve more love from us cannabis connoisseurs.

They also legalized medical use in 1998 before most states, so they’re progressive when it comes to cannabis. Recreational use was legalized in 2014/2015, and many dispensaries have opened since then.

Oregon recreational dispensaries often have a fun and chill vibe, so they’re to visit. Our top recommendations if you find yourself looking for weed in Portland are:

• Bigfoot Bud Company
• Smoke On The Mountain
• Marie Jane’s Cannabis Connection
• Mr. Nice Guy
• Mood Fine Cannabis

Nevada

Nevada, home of iconic Las Vegas, has its fair share of recreational dispensaries. The best part about shopping for cannabis in Nevada is that many of the dispensaries, especially the ones in Vegas, are glitzy and impressive.

The state legalized medical marijuana in 1998 and 2000 as part of a two-ballot measure, and they legalized recreational use in 2017. Ever since, people in Nevada have been opening up recreational dispensaries and enjoying their cannabis.

Some of the best Nevada dispensaries include:

• 420 Sahara
• The Sanctuary
• Planet 13
• Reef Dispensary
• Pisos

These places offer premium green, but be prepared to shell out a good amount of money! Like everything around Vegas, the weed here can be pricey. However, places outside Vegas are more reasonable.

Washington

Washington is one of the first states with recreational cannabis dispensaries to legalize marijuana. For whatever reason, people don’t talk about Washington when discussing the history of weed legalization, but they should!

Did You Know?: While Colorado gets credit for being the first state to legalize recreational weed, Washington was close on its heels, legalizing recreational use just months after Colorado did.

The marijuana laws in Washington state are more or less the same as other states with recreational cannabis dispensaries. You must be 21, and you cannot consume it in public. Like Massachusetts, they’re stingy with possession limits, allowing only one ounce of flower for personal use.

We find Washington dispensaries to be rather homey and chill. Unlike Nevada, these locations are humble but still offer premium weed. Some of the best dispensaries in Washington are:

• Cliff’s Cannabis
• Star Buds
• Forbidden Cannabis Club
• Cannabis City
• The Kushery

Maine

While New England states like New Hampshire are still hardcore against cannabis use, places like Massachusetts and Maine are weed-friendly. The northern state has over 200 recreational cannabis dispensaries.

The legalization of recreational weed in Maine is relatively new, as the law was passed toward the end of 2020. However, medical use has been permitted in Maine since 1999. The slow-paced vibe of the state and locals seems perfectly suited to cannabis culture, so we’re happy they have access now.

Our favorite Maine dispensaries are:

• Cure Cannabis Company
• Sanctuary
• Theory Wellness
• Sweet Dirt
• Mystique Of Maine

Finding the Green Wherever You Go

While we can’t wait for the day that all 50 states legalize the sale and consumption of recreational marijuana (or the federal government does), we’re glad we have so many states with recreational cannabis dispensaries already in existence.

You can literally find cannabis products from coast to coast, from Maine to Washington. And if you ever have trouble finding a good one near you, you can always reference our dispensary map by state!