Whether it’s your first time visiting a dispensary or a long-time loyal customer, there’s a particular unwritten list of etiquette tips that will make your experience even better. Learning the dos and don’ts of visiting a local dispensary can save you time, money and get you that perfect high you’re craving!
By the end of this guide, you’ll be as close as you can get to a savvy cannabis connoisseur—trust us, budtenders can always spot a first-timer. Here’s everything you need to know, from navigating the entrance to walking out with your bag of all your favorite goodies.
Entering the Dispensary
The Dos:
• Do park in the designated spaces – many dispensaries have designated parking for pick-up orders, walk-ins, and even their own vehicles used for delivery services.
• Do have your ID and/or Medical Marijuana card - all dispensaries have a reception desk to check in each customer. Recreational users only need a valid ID or driver’s license. Medical Marijuana Patients must present their valid med card.
• Do have patience until you’re called to get help - whether the shop has a waiting room or a service line, wait your turn to be helped by a budtender.
The Don’ts:
• Don’t enter the budtender area until called - Many shops have separate waiting rooms to manage customer traffic. Grab a seat and wait till you’re called in to avoid crowding the dispensary.
• Don’t be judgmental – you’ll see all kinds of customers visiting dispensaries—a wide age range of 18+, customers shopping for medical or medicinal, first-time visitors, etc. Be respectful of the other customers at dispensaries.
• Don’t be distracted by your phone – we love scrolling through our phones to pass the time waiting in line for a budtender but take some time to look up and enjoy the dispensary atmosphere. Each place has unique characteristics filled with 420 paraphernalia, cult stoner movies, smoker-friendly music, and quirky objects that make you feel like you’re high already. And besides…you wouldn’t want to miss your spot in line to start shopping!
Shopping at a Dispensary
The Dos:
• Do trust your budtender - We spoke with Evan Trout with Nuggets Cannabis, Detroit’s first black-owned legacy dispensary, who stated, “Most dispensaries nowadays have very educated staff working in their stores. They know the products better than anybody else and are always looking to give you the best experience they can while also providing you with the product(s) that best fit you as an individual.”
• Do ask questions - Don’t feel shy if you’re unsure about a product or its effects. Budtenders are always ready to answer your questions.
• Do check for deals - dispensaries always have specials promoting the latest brands, discounts, seasonal clear-outs, and more. Discounts can be found on apps like WeedMaps or asking in-store.
• Do ask about vendor days - dispensaries host vendor days to invite local and national cannabis brands to showcase new products, product giveaways, and more.
The Don’ts:
• Don’t assume all products affect customers the same. Nuggets Cannabis chimed in to say, “The product your friend had that they loved may not be a good option for you, so listen to your budtender and trust that they are going to provide you with the best product for you!”
• Don’t touch the buds – budtenders happily let you look at their strains up close and give them a smell test before buying. However, don’t touch the buds—we don’t know where your hands have been.
• Don’t overindulge - whether recreational or medical; it’s important to be responsible with your cannabis usage. Green Genie was one of the first medical marijuana dispensaries in Detroit and expressed the importance of communication: “It’s important to communicate your preferences and desired effects so they can assist you in finding the right cannabis products for your needs. [Budtenders] are knowledgeable and can provide valuable insights on products, dosage, and consumption methods.”
• Don’t forget to bring cash - cash still remains one of the best methods to pay in dispensaries. Federal regulations restrict the widespread use of debit/credit cards, although more are beginning to accept them. Keep in mind that card transactions or withdrawing from onsite ATMs may add fees.
Leaving the Dispensary
The Dos:
• Do thank your budtender - budtenders are all about delivering a quality customer experience. In an interview with NOBO, an award-winning brand operating multiple locations across Michigan says, “We want our budtenders to be supportive and help consumers—even if it’s all new to them.”
• Do leave a tip - Did you know you can tip your budtender? It’s not required, but always appreciated for exceptional service.
The Don’ts:
• Don’t smoke in front of the shop - smoking in public is still illegal and violating it could result in fees and a potential ban from your favorite dispensary.
• Don’t forget to spread the word – Detroit has a growing cannabis community that thrives on support. Leave a review online about your experience to help improve shop operations for future customers and spotlight all the things your favorite dispensary does right for others to learn from.
Visiting a marijuana dispensary is quite an experience and relatively new for many people. The most important thing to remember is that it’s a one-of-a-kind retail experience that should be enjoyed by all who shop in dispensaries. Bookmark this page as a resource for your next dispensary visit, and you’ll blend in with the regulars in no time!
