Dispensary Near Me – Find the Best Cannabis Shops Nearby

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Not sure how to pick a dispensary? Have you searched, “Dispensary near me” ten times already, but still aren’t sure? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This is your complete guide to finding the perfect medical or recreational dispensary near you, from scoring the best deals and discounts to choosing a dispensary with friendly staff.

Introduction to Cannabis

The cannabis industry is expected to reach close to $45 billion by 2025. If you’re looking for a “dispensary near me,” it shouldn’t be too hard to find.

Before we talk about how to pick a dispensary, we want to recommend that you educate yourself on cannabis. Learn about the different products, like vapes, edibles, and flower. Figure out if indicas, sativas, or hybrids are right for you. Determine what THC potencies and CBD amounts suit you best.

Maybe you want a medical marijuana card, or maybe you just want to visit a recreational dispensary. You also need to know about the marijuana laws in your state. Understanding these things is essential before visiting a dispensary near you.

Getting Started with Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana is more accessible than ever. It’s now legal in 41 states. Adult-use of medical marijuana in 2024 has grown to a staggering $31.4 billion. So if you’re interested in getting a medical marijuana card, a.k.a. a “green card,” you’re not alone.

To obtain a medical marijuana card, you need to meet certain requirements and regulations, which vary by state. Typically, you need to visit a doctor and receive a diagnosis for a qualifying condition, such as glaucoma, anorexia, PTSD, or chronic pain. Then, you must provide proof of residency and join a state patient registry. You should receive your medical card in the mail after that. However, this process varies slightly in each state. Be sure to look up medical marijuana laws in your state.

There are different types of medical marijuana products, including flower, pre-rolls, edibles, drinks, topicals, and concentrates. If you’re unsure which option is right for you, you can consult your doctor, ask a dispensary employee, or test out a few products until you find one that works for you.

Additionally, be careful with potency and dosing. Start small and work your way up cautiously. Remember, THC is psychoactive, while CBD is generally not. Products with high levels of CBD and low levels of THC are a wonderful place to start.

Medical marijuana is known to help with the following:

Pain relief
Insomnia
Nausea and vomiting
Apttie stimulation
Muscle spasms
Seizure disorders
Mental health issues, such as PTSD and anxiety

Understanding Recreational Marijuana

In states where recreational marijuana is legal, it’s easier to obtain. However, you typically need to be 21 and have valid identification to prove it. Recreational marijuana laws are always changing, so check our recreational marijuana legalization page to see if it’s legal in your state! You can also use our handy state-by-state legalization guides.

Roughly 52.5 million Americans, or 19% of the population, use recreational marijuana. And recreational marijuana sales are expected to reach $42.8 billion by 2028.

Finding a Dispensary Near Me

There are over 65,400 medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries operating in the United States. That means you have lots of options!

If you’re looking for a dispensary, whether medical, recreational, or both, we have some tips to help you. Not all dispensaries are created equal, so we recommend doing some research before you commit to one. Follow our tips below to find the dispensary of your dreams.

Read Reviews: When you’re considering dispensaries near you, be sure to read the reviews. Google, Yelp, and other review sites are a brilliant place to start. High ratings and positive reviews typically make a dispensary a reliable choice.
Check Social Media: It’s also helpful to look at the dispensary’s social media accounts, like Instagram and Facebook. Here, you can often find information on sales, promotions, and the overall vibe of the dispensary. Vibes matter! Some dispensaries can feel stuffy or seedy, and you want one that’s inviting and cool.
Get Referrals: When in doubt, asking other stoners is always a wise move. Ask your stoner friends, family, or coworkers. If you have a green card, you can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations.
Verify Credentials: For the most part, dispensaries operate above board. But every once in a while, there’s one that isn’t licensed to sell weed legally. If you’re concerned, you can check for certification and licenses through organizations like the Medical Cannabis Association. The last thing you want is to become some sort of accomplice…
Browse Product Options: It’s essential to research a dispensary’s products before visiting or placing an order. Smaller dispensaries may not have what you’re looking for, such as a specific brand or niche product. Larger dispensaries can be expensive, though. Make sure the dispensary you’re looking at has prices that fit your budget and stocks the (high-quality) products you love.

We’ve made it super easy for you to find the best cannabis dispensaries near you with our comprehensive dispensary map. Find your state below and browse the best dispensaries in your area:

Cannabis Products and Services

While cannabis flower is still the most popular product, accounting for 45% of sales, vapes and edibles (including beverages) are significant corners of the market too. Vapes account for 28% of sales, and edibles about 27%.

So, how do you pick the best products? How do you even shop at a dispensary? It’s not as complicated as it may seem, but it helps if you’re prepared.

Know the Product Types: First, you should figure out what type of cannabis product you’re looking for. Do you want cannabis flower? Are you looking for THC edibles? Do you need to replace your live resin vape cartridge? You don’t have to know, but it streamlines your shopping.
Learn About Product Options: Beyond the product type, there are also lots of cannabis options. There are indicas versus sativas, full-spectrum versus broad-spectrum formulas, and concentrate types like live resin, rosin, or distillate. You can research the options before looking at products, or ask the dispensary staff for help.
Research Brands: Read brand reviews to get an idea of which one fits your needs best. Also, be sure to look at the different prices, as cannabis products can be surprisingly cheap or wildly expensive, depending on the product and company.
Check Out Service and Ordering: Look into what kind of services the dispensary offers, such as online ordering, product delivery, curbside pickup, express checkout, and more. You might be able to save yourself a trip, or at least speed up your dispensary visit.
Consider the Budtenders: The staff at a dispensary heavily impacts the overall experience. If they’re rude or moody, you can feel uncomfortable. But if they’re knowledgeable and friendly, it can really elevate the vibe in the dispensary. You can read reviews about the staff, see how they seem on social media, or simply visit and assess the atmosphere. Ideally, you want to find staff who have a deep understanding of the product selection and various cannabis products, so they can make informed recommendations and offer valuable advice.

We’ll dive deeper into all these aspects in the coming sections!

Shopping at a Dispensary

The cannabis industry was valued at $57.18 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $428.22 billion by 2032. This is opening up many business opportunities, and dispensaries are offering new ways to shop for bud.

Traditionally, you’d visit a dispensary in person. However, modern dispensaries allow for online ordering and even delivery. Depending on where you live, you may get to choose exactly how you shop.

In-Person Shopping

In-person shopping is usually the best option if you’re not sure what you want and need a little help. You can look at all the products in person and ask the staff for assistance or recommendations. Some websites don’t display products well or aren’t frequently updated, so in-person shopping is the best way to be sure you can consider all their products.

Online Shopping

Online shopping at dispensaries is easy-peasy. You can browse pages of products and even use filters to narrow down your search based on things like THC content or flavor profiles. Use the dispensary’s website or app to browse products, and add them to your cart like you would with any shopping site.

Deals and Discounts

Most dispensaries have frequent promotions and can’t-miss deals. Before you buy anything, try to see if you can get a deal! Look on the dispensary’s website and social pages for coupon codes, sales, promotions, and limited-time deals. You can even ask the budtenders if they have any first-timer deals or loyalty programs so that you can make the most out of your trip. Here are some ways to save money — or get some free goodies — to look out for:

New customer discounts
Holiday promotions
Weekday deals
Loyalty and rewards programs
Discounts for seniors, veterans, and students
Price matching with other sites and dispensaries

Customer Service and Support

Choose a dispensary near you that offers impeccable customer service. Most importantly, you want budtenders who will be friendly and helpful. Sometimes, they can be a little uninterested, which can make for a subpar experience. The best way to determine how the staff are is to read reviews and visit the dispensary for yourself.

Also, check out the dispensary’s return and refund policies. A product might not be what you expected when you get home, or it may be defective. The best dispensaries are happy to issue refunds or exchanges in these cases. It shows their commitment to customer service.

We also like to consider how informative and helpful a dispensary website is. The best ones will have educational articles, detailed product information, and other resources. Some may even have calendars with events, such as in-person workshops and educational seminars.

Payment and Pickup Options

The last thing you want is to show up to a dispensary only to realize they won’t take your credit card. Most dispensaries don’t take credit cards because of federal restrictions. But some won’t take debit cards either. Before you go, find out what forms of payment they accept. Is it cash only? Is there an ATM on-site?

Dispensaries can also have a variety of pickup and delivery options. The following services can make your next weed pickup much more streamlined:

Curbside pickup
In-store pickup
Delivery (sometimes free!)

Dispensary Location and Hours

Let’s talk about how to pick a dispensary based on location. You’ll want to determine how far the dispensary is from you. If it’s just down the road, that’s probably a wonderful option for you! On the other hand, if it’s four towns over, that may not be the most convenient option for you. We recommend finding a balance between all the other factors that matter when choosing a dispensary and the distance.

It’s not always worth driving 40 minutes each way just for a friendly budtender. But it can be! We’ll leave that up to you to decide. The location is even more relevant if you’ll be taking public transportation, walking, biking, or scootering to the dispensary. If the weather is bad, a faraway dispensary may mean you have to go dry for the night, and that’s a true nightmare scenario.

Something else to consider is chain dispensaries. Some brands have multiple locations, which makes it easier to pick up wherever you are. Loyalty programs, rewards, and other promotions are typically consistent across stores, so you can earn points at your local dispensary and still use them when you’re in another town with the same brand.

The distance can also influence delivery options. A dispensary may only offer delivery to customers within a 20-mile radius. Or it could be just five miles! If you want to rely on delivery, be sure you select a dispensary with a delivery radius that includes your home.

You should also use Google Maps to see if the dispensary has parking. Hunting for parking for 20 minutes when trying to pick up can be frustrating, and dispensaries with parking lots are highly convenient. You can also look at the website to see if they mention parking in their FAQ or Where to Find Us sections.

Similarly, you may need to research a dispensary’s handicap accessibility and accommodations. If you need a ramp or other accommodation and they don’t have it, you should look for a different, more accessible dispensary.

Security and Safety

Dispensaries typically have an on-duty security guard, security personnel, cameras, alarms, and other security measures in place to ensure the safety of their staff and customers. You may also want to look into how they screen and train employees, and how they handle their cannabis products as far as storage and measuring.

As mentioned, it’s also crucial that dispensaries have all the proper state and local licenses and certifications to sell marijuana. These should be noted on the website and prominently displayed at the dispensary, making it easy for you to check.

The general rule is that medical marijuana customers must be 18 or older, and recreational marijuana customers must be 21 or older. But double-check, because dispensaries can set their own age limit policies.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Now, you’re armed with all the knowledge you need to find your ideal dispensary. Be sure to do plenty of research by reading reviews, browsing social media, and looking at dispensary websites. Keep the key factors in mind: product selection, pricing, location, staff, payment and delivery options, and safety.

Whether you shop online for delivery or become pals with the in-store budtenders, there’s nothing better than finding your perfect dispensary, so you never have to search “dispensary near me” ever again. For even more insights, recommendations, and cannabis-friendly guides, check out FlavorFix — your go-to resource for elevating every part of your experience.