Thousands of West Virginia residents will walk into a dispensary for the first time this year and be able to legally purchase marijuana with their own medical card. Now that cannabis is legal, manufacturers are rolling out a variety of incredible medical marijuana products. For those who are new to cannabis culture, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the choices and decisions to be made at the dispensary.
No one wants to feel out of place when stepping into a dispensary for the first time. You shouldn’t let a lack of knowledge stop you from getting the relief you deserve. That’s why we’ve put together this guide of basic dispensary etiquette to help you prepare to go shopping for medical marijuana.
How to Find a West Virginia Dispensary
As the number of West Virginia medical marijuana patients continues to grow, more and more dispensaries are expected to pop up throughout the state. This guide is useless if you can’t find a place to shop.That’s why we keep an up-to-date West Virginia Dispensary Guide on our website so that you can explore your options and find the location nearest you.
Bring Your Medical Marijuana Card and Photo ID
This is probably the most important tip. If you are visiting a dispensary, you’ll want to make sure to bring your medical marijuana card with you, or you won’t be allowed to purchase any cannabis. You’ll also want to have your photo ID.
The etiquette part of this tip is to be respectful if you arrive without your medical card. When the dispensary employees tell you you’ll have to go home and get it, don’t get upset or make a scene. Cannabis is legal in West Virginia, but dispensaries are heavily regulated. If they sold marijuana to someone without proper documentation, they could risk revocation of their license and face other legal ramifications.
If you forget your card, be cool. Go home to grab it and go back. If you don’t have your card, we can help with that. Schedule an appointment to see if you qualify by CLICKING HERE, or give us a call at (877) 303-8424.
Bring Cash
Many West Virginia dispensaries are cash only at the moment, meaning they don’t accept checks, credit or debit cards. Plan ahead and arrive with cash. You can also call the dispensary ahead-of time, because they may have an on-site ATM.
Be Patient
Medical marijuana is still new to West Virginia. Dispensaries have only been open since November of 2021, and cannabis is in very high demand. Knowing this, you may have to wait in line with others who are just as excited as you are to get relief.
Getting frustrated that you have to wait in line will not make it go any faster, so plan to wait, and be patient. Bring some snacks or a book to occupy your time. If you are waiting in line with friendly cannabis patients, it’s a great time to ask about their experience with medical marijuana. If the dispensary you are at has a website, it’s also a great time to browse their products, or check out our blog for all-sorts of helpful medical marijuana information and advice.
Plan to Go Phone-Free
Most dispensary locations have a strict, “no phone” policy. It’s fine to use your phone while you’re outside in line, but once you step inside, put it away until your shopping is done.
Have Questions Ready
Not only is it okay for you to ask questions at the dispensary, it is encouraged. If you don’t know how a product works, a dispensary employee will be happy to tell you all about it.
Before your first dispensary trip, it’s a good idea to put together a list of potential questions. That way, if you do get overwhelmed by the dispensary experience, you can refer to that list. Dispensary staff members are there to help. If you have concerns about which ingestion method may be right for you or if you are simply curious about the difference between strains- don’t hold back. Ask away!
Tell Your Budtender What You Want Out of Your Cannabis Experience
Remember - you are there to get relief. Each medical marijuana patient has their own unique experience and reasons for using cannabis. Talk to a budtender at the dispensary about what you are hoping medical marijuana will do for you.
Sharing this goal will allow you and your budtender to select the cannabis products that fit that goal. Are you looking to increase focus, treat chronic pain, reduce anxiety, get more sleep, or something else? Marijuana can treat an array of symptoms and conditions, so whether you are using it for something specific or simply to enhance your overall wellbeing, make sure to let your budtender know.
Another thing you might want to consider as you make return trips to the dispensary and develop a relationship with your budtender is keeping a medical marijuana journal. A journal will allow you to keep track of the types of marijuana products you are using and whether or not they are helping you the way you’d like. Bring the journal with you to help your budtender make recommendations for new products.
Tip Your Budtender
Tips aren’t required, but they are standard etiquette. If you’re just making a basic purchase without asking for advice, a standard tip is a few dollars. But, if you’re asking your budtender to go above and beyond, answering questions and making recommendations to give you the best possible dispensary experience, give them more. Take care of your budtender and they will take care of you.
Know What You Want in Advance
Have you ever pulled up to the McDonald’s driveway, and the person in front of you is just staring at the menu with no idea of what they want to order? Everyone in line behind them, who has the McDonald’s menu memorized, has to wait while this person decides. You don’t want to be the dispensary version of that guy while other cannabis patients are behind you in line.
Before heading to the dispensary, take the time to browse their website. Looking through products in advance will give you an idea of what you are looking for. If you are looking for something specific, add it to your cart and show your budtender your cart when you get to the front of the line.
That being said - you do not need to rush the experience when you are at the dispensary. Your relief is every bit as important as the next patients’.
Leave Before Lighting Up
No matter how much you want to - no matter how much you’ve been looking forward to that dank Pink Lemonade strain - wait until you are off the dispensary property before sparking up.
We understand you are excited after purchasing marijuana products for the first time and that you are in need of relief. However, one of the most important pieces of dispensary etiquette is that you know not to consume cannabis on dispensary property, and that includes the parking lot.
Doing so could get the dispensary in legal trouble. Plus, if you get caught, you might also end up in hot water with the law. At the very least, you could get banned from the dispensary. Take our advice – wait until you get back home or to a private location before enjoying your purchase.
Don’t Leave Home Without It
If you’re ready to shop at one of West Virginia’s cannabis dispensaries, you’ll need a medical marijuana card. We can help you with that. Our compassionate care doctors are standing by to help you navigate every step of the way.
West Virginia’s program offers medical marijuana to patients with certain conditions and even offers an online application process! That’s right- you can even get your medical marijuana card online from the comfort of your own home with a West Virginia Marijuana Card!
To get your medical marijuana card online in West Virginia, simply schedule your medical marijuana evaluation appointment today and get access to legal marijuana products available at dispensaries!
Being a West Virginia medical marijuana patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you. We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way!
Feel free to give us a call at 877-303-8424 and we can answer your questions about getting a medical marijuana card in West Virginia.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve
wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana.
Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for
our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out West Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in West Virginia.
Comments