Your first visit to a cannabis dispensary in or near Desert Hot Springs can be shocking and confusing. The colorful images, the smiling staff, and the wide assortment of strains. The budtender who accurately weighs the ganja. They all stand in stark contrast to the hasty transfers and shady vibes of the black market you might be used to or have seen portrayed on TV or film.
However, you shouldn’t be intimated. Desert Hot Springs was the first Southern California city to legalize cannabis cultivation on a large scale and there are several nice dispensaries there and in nearby cities. But when it comes to purchasing it, there are some rules to be followed within a dispensary. By following them, you will indeed have a positive experience.
1. Find the most suitable dispensary
Each dispensary sells different products — if you love a particular “niche,” such as a specific variety, or a particular type of cannabis-containing food, choose a dispensary with these kinds of items available. You can also try out different dispensaries to get an idea of the atmosphere in each of them, and then choose the one you like best.
2. Do the research and learn the rules
You will likely be asked to show your ID, but some other documents may also be required. It is certainly not pleasant to enter the dispensary only to find that you are missing some essential documents. Research the dispensary by visiting its website ahead of time to understand exactly what it takes to register.
3. Communicate with the budtender
Doing some research before going to a dispensary is always helpful, but the budtender is there to help too. If you have any doubts about the variety that best suits your needs, explain your symptoms or needs to the salesperson, who will then guide you in choosing the most suitable product or genetics.
A good budtender will also explain the differences between the strains and the products for sale. He will be able to tell you the levels of THC, CBD, and terpenes present in the various buds. They will probably also be able to tell you if they have been grown organically or not. Remember that there are no stupid questions!
4. Become part of a community
Your dispensary isn’t just a place to buy cannabis — it’s a community. The more you participate, the more you’ll benefit from it. Find out about the offers and promotions in your dispensary and if there is a newsletter to subscribe to to receive the latest news. Some dispensaries offer a notification service that alerts the customer when the required variety is back in stock. Others organize events and offer discounts and/or membership programs.
5. Bring cash
When going to a dispensary, take cash with you. Most dispensaries do not accept credit cards.
6. Do not consume ganja outside the dispensary
This is a categorical prohibition. Many dispensaries were forced to close because members smoked outside the club. Such behavior is reckless and endangers the dispensary and the entire community of patients.
7. Have fun
Visiting a dispensary is an educational and exciting experience, so enjoy it! Stop at the counter, talk to the budtender, pick some new variant, buy a snack from a nearby grocery store, and head home to sample it all.
If your experience at the dispensary was not optimal, try to vary a few elements. This could mean changing your dispensary, changing the products purchased, or perhaps trying delivery, as provided by dispensaries like Bulldog Cannabis near Desert Hot Springs, with no delivery fee and no minimum.
