Weed. Ganja. Kind bud. Sticky icky icky. Whatever you like to call it, cannabis has been used around the world for centuries as a medicinal herb and recreational drug. Not only is it known to have many health benefits, but it also provides an enjoyable high that continues to draw people in from all walks of life.
Some people use it to help them sleep, others use it to help take the edge off of their anxiety, and still others like it just for the feeling of euphoria it brings them. In recent years, cannabis has been legalized in many states and countries, which has opened up a world of possibilities when it comes to its usage.
With the push for legalization all over the country, life has become very different for your average stoner than it was back in the 90s. No longer do they have to purchase their cannabis from shady dealers in dark alleys, but instead can go to a legitimate weed dispensary and purchase quality products without the fear of being arrested.
The emergence of the modern weed dispensary has changed everything for marijuana users, providing them with access to a large selection of different kinds of products and cannabis strains that may provide a variety of effects depending on what you are looking for. In this article, we will explore why these dispensaries exist and how they can benefit both recreational users as well as medical patients alike.
The Legal Status of Weed
The legal status of weed has been a hot topic for years, with some states pushing to make it completely legal for both recreational and medicinal usage while others are still opposed to the idea. In order to understand why dispensaries exist, we must first understand the many different levels of legalization that exist in various places around the country.
In general, there are four different levels of marijuana legalization:
- Recreationally Legal
- This is when cannabis is fully legalized for anyone over a certain age (usually 21) without any medical prescriptions or recommendations needed. It can be purchased from dispensaries just like alcohol or cigarettes.
- Medicinally Legal
- This means that in certain areas you need a prescription from your doctor before being able to purchase cannabis products such as edibles or oils at a dispensary even if you’re over 21 years old.
- CBD Products Legal
- In this case, only products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are allowed in specific regions without any other forms of THC present; however, they cannot be sold at traditional recreational dispensaries due to their non-psychoactive nature so they usually come from special stores dedicated solely towards selling CBD-based items such as tinctures oil capsules, etc.
- Fully Illegal
- This is when cannabis and all its related items are considered illegal in a certain area regardless of medical prescriptions.
It is important to note that cannabis is still illegal on the federal level in the United States, meaning that it can still be a crime to possess or distribute it throughout the country. However, many states have chosen to ignore this and instead create their own laws regarding marijuana usage which is why dispensaries are becoming more and more common in areas where cannabis is legal.
So why legalize something that has traditionally been taboo for so long? Well, there are actually several benefits associated with legalizing weed on both a recreational level as well as medicinally:
- Increased tax revenue from sales of legalized marijuana products:
- Taxes on cannabis sales are usually much higher than those on other recreational items, as well as alcohol and tobacco. This means more money for governments to spend on infrastructure, education systems, and other important services.
- Reduced strain on law enforcement resources:
- With the decriminalization of marijuana possession comes fewer arrests related to it which in turn reduces the amount of time police officers have to spend dealing with minor offenses such as cannabis possession, allowing them instead to use their resources towards more serious crimes or even just patrolling neighborhoods where they can be an active presence against crime rather than having to deal constantly with drug-related issues.
- New job opportunities for citizens:
- Legalizing weed opens up a whole new industry that has potential for many different professions from growers and distributors all the way down to dispensary managers/owners; this means not only will there be jobs available but also businesses that could spur further economic growth in areas that need it most.
- A safer alternative over alcohol or harder drugs:
- Since weed is considered a relatively “soft” drug compared to things like cocaine or heroin its legalization could potentially reduce usage rates of these substances by providing people with something else they can do when looking for a high without risking their lives due to severe health risks associated harder drugs like opioids etc.
These are just a few of the many benefits associated with legalizing weed, and it is clear to see why more and more states are choosing to do so. With this in mind, let’s now take a look at exactly what dispensaries offer as well as why they have become such an important part of the cannabis industry.
What is a Dispensary and What Do They Do?
A weed dispensary is essentially a store that sells cannabis products legally. In fact, in states where weed is legal, they are the only places where you can legally obtain it. Not only do they provide customers with access to a variety of different strains and product types, but they also offer advice regarding which products may be best suited for their particular needs as well as general information on how to use them safely and effectively.
The types of products you can find at a dispensary vary widely depending on the state or country that you are in, however, some examples include:
- Flower
- This is the actual cannabis flower itself which can be smoked either through rolling papers or pipes/bongs etc. It can come in many forms such as buds, shake (ground-up flower), and pre-rolled joints/blunts; this is usually the least expensive option when it comes to buying weed from dispensaries.
- Edibles
- These are essentially foods that contain THC so that users don’t have to smoke anything if they don’t want to; these usually come in form of gummies, chocolates, and other sweets like brownies, etc., however, there are now savory options available too such as chips infused with cannabis oil making them perfect snacks for stoners!
- Oils & Concentrates
- These consist mainly of extracts from raw plant materials such as waxes, shatter, and rosin. These are usually much more potent than flower and can be used in a vaporizer or dab rig to deliver an intense high that lasts for hours on end; however, they tend to be more expensive too.
- Topicals
- These are cannabis-infused lotions, creams, and salves that provide users with relief from soreness and pain without the need of smoking anything; these are great for treating chronic aches as well as providing temporary relief from headaches/migraines, etc.
- Tinctures
- These are liquid forms of cannabis extract suspended in alcohol or oil which can then be taken orally or added into drinks such as tea/coffee etc., offering users a quick way to get their desired effects without having any smoke involved at all!
In addition to providing customers with different products, dispensaries also offer a wide range of services such as educational seminars for those who are new to cannabis as well as more experienced users looking for advice on how best to use their chosen product. Additionally, some even provide delivery options so that you don’t have to leave your home if you don’t want to!
It is clear that dispensaries offer users an easy, safe, and legal way of obtaining cannabis products; however, it should be noted that laws vary state by state so be sure to research beforehand what kind of regulations exist where you live before heading out on any trips. With all this in mind let us now take a look at how these stores are able to help both recreational users as well as medical patients alike.
Getting Legal Weed Legally
Weed has come a long way since its days in dark alleys or hidden behind closed doors; with legalization sweeping across countries around the world, there has been an emergence of legitimate businesses offering customers access to not only different types of strains but also advice regarding which product may best suit their needs depending on what effect they are looking for whether it is to relax or just have a good time.
The weed dispensary has become an integral part of the cannabis industry, providing recreational users with access to quality products in a safe and legal manner while also being beneficial for medical patients who may need certain types of strains or oils/tinctures that would otherwise be difficult to find without accessing these stores.
With this in mind, it is clear why they are so important today as they provide people with both convenience and choice when it comes to using marijuana responsibly; something that was not possible before legalization took place.