The District of Columbia has legalized both the recreational and medical uses of cannabis. Since 2015, DC residents have been able to consume the plant freely, as long as they comply with pertinent laws. This is why many people have been visiting the federal district not only because of the notable landmarks located in it but also because of its thriving cannabis market and the availability of marijuana-related products.
If you are a resident who wants to check out what cannabis has to offer, you want to make sure that your purchase is worth your while. This guide can help any beginner find cannabis products that perfectly suit their lifestyle. Read on to know more.
Different Ways to Buy Cannabis in DC
Let’s start by talking about the several ways you can get your hands on marijuana in the capital. You have four best options to do this:
- Dispensary Visit – One of the best ways to get cannabis and infused products is by visiting an accredited dispensary near you. Most shops carry a wide variety of buds, edibles, oils, and other items. DC has a long list of licensed stores, so it will be easy looking for a reputable one.
- Curbside Pickup – If you do not want to go inside the shop, you can simply contact the dispensary to give them your order, and pick it up at the curbside.
- Online Orders – A popular way of getting cannabis without leaving the comfort of your home is through ordering online. You can do this by visiting the website or e-commerce shop of the dispensary you want to transact with.
- On-Demand Delivery – Some shops offer on-demand delivery which lets you place an order and get the package within the day. If interested, check here.
How to Pick the Right Cannabis Product For You
Now that you know the different ways of purchasing cannabis in the capital, you are ready to look at the different aspects that can affect your consumption experience. This will dictate which products best fit your needs and wants. Depending on your lifestyle, you can choose to get flowers, oils, tinctures, capsules, edibles, and topicals. Here are the things you should consider when choosing.
-
Medical or Recreational?
First off, you need to decide if you want to consume the plant for medical or recreational purposes. Determining this helps you decide the next step to take. If you are thinking of using marijuana as an aid to treat your current medical conditions, then you will need to get a medical marijuana card. This will let you access THC-rich products.
On the other hand, if you expect the items to improve your leisure time, then recreational use is good for you. There are a lot of types of products you can choose from. Edibles are a delicious option, while oils are the most versatile choice as it can be used for cooking. Tinctures and topicals are easy to apply. Low-THC, high-CBD buds, and vape pens are best for those who want to inhale the plant. You can find the best smokes shops in DC here.
-
Identify Your Preferred Method of Consumption
Next, you need to choose what method of consumption is best for your lifestyle. When at home, you can easily consume the items without worries. You can freely massage topicals such as creams, balms, and ointment into your skin and muscle, or inhale flowers and vape pens as you please. Consuming tinctures sublingual is also not a problem.
However, if you expect that you need to take your dosage in the middle of the day while you are out and about, you might want to choose a discreet method. Edibles such as gummies and chocolates offer an inconspicuous way to partake.
Other methods of application include infusing oils into meals and drinks or mixing flowers into recipes.
-
Its Role in Your Routine
Knowing what you expect from cannabis products, you probably have a good idea about how you will integrate it into your routine. Those who are planning to use it daily for skin care should definitely go for topicals, while those who plan to use the product for cooking could get edibles and CBD oils.
Those who are looking to enhance their morning might find smoking buds too fussy, but capsules offer a quick way to get your daily dose. You can even mix CBD oil into your morning coffee for extra energy and a brain boost.
If general stress-release is what you are after, then you can definitely choose any of these products as long as they fit into your schedule.
Some Reminders
Once you determine the right product for your needs and wants, you might be excited to make your very first purchase. You want to make sure that your purchase will be a hassle and stress-free. You can do this by making sure of the following:
-
Familiarize yourself with DC laws
Before you go and make your purchase, it is important that you do your research on marijuana laws in DC. Remember, marijuana is legal for adult-use but is still under regulation. Remember that you can only possess 2 ounces or less of flowers. Anything more than this can lead to a misdemeanor. The same penalty also applies to public use.
Hemp-derived CBD products are also legal to use, possess, and purchase in the capital, especially because these only contain 0.3% THC. However, if you want to purchase CBD oil from marijuana, which contains more THC, you will need to get a medical marijuana card. However, you can only apply for one by getting a recommendation from an approved physician.
-
Make it a point to ask your budtender
If you choose to visit a dispensary, you will have access to valuable knowledge through your local budtender. These individuals know not only know the ins and outs of the products they carry but also about the plant in general. So, you should see to it that you clarify things that are unclear to you, from the difference between CBD and THC to the various strains available in the market.
-
Take it easy
No matter what type of product you choose, it is always important to sit back and relax, while taking your consumption easy. Keep in mind that everything should be taken moderately. As they say, too much of a good thing can be bad.
Buying cannabis products for the first time can be intimidating. With the help of this guide, you can decide what kind of item you want to purchase, as well as where and how you can buy them.
