Whether you’re totally new to cannabis — or just not sure where to start when it comes to choosing the right cannabis wellness products for you — visiting a dispensary for the first time can surely be an overwhelming experience. Taking into account all the different brands, products, and strains available, picking and choosing can be a little tricky for first timers and seasoned vets alike.
Not to worry! An experienced and dependable staff of budtenders like our stellar crew at Society Cannabis Co. will always be able to ease this process and make you feel right at home.
In our previous blog, we introduced our brand and talked about our mission/vision for the future. Keep reading as we cover some important adult-use cannabis dispensary basics and questions to keep in mind when conversing with your local budtender.
What is a Budtender?
First things first. What is a budtender? Think ‘bartender’ but, instead of having an extensive alcohol knowledge, budtenders will be able to guide you through your adult-use cannabis dispensary visit while sharing their experiences, tips, and giving you advice about our favorite ‘green buds’— along with anything else related to cannabis wellness products.
So, now that you know what a budtender is, let’s dive right in!
Do I need an ID to Visit a Massachusetts Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary?
Short answer ㅡ yep, as long as you’re 21+ with a valid government issued ID you’ll have no trouble getting into any cannabis dispensary throughout the Commonwealth, or any legal state. Better yet, recreational customers are entitled to anonymity by law, which means that dispensaries will not share your personal information with the government.
What is the difference between Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid?
Next, although there are many cannabis strains and cultivars currently available — with a plethora of different cannabinoids, terpene profiles, aromas, and potentially beneficial characteristics, we generally tend to put them into three categories ㅡ Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid.
While it has been shown that different cannabis types certainly affect everyone in different ways, sativas are generally best for daytime use. Indica has been shown to be better for night-time, ideally for winding down.
Subsequently, as you may have guessed, hybrids are a combination of indica+sativa – however, make sure to get with your budtender to confirm the specifics of each new hybrid you’re looking to consume.
What are the different types of cannabis wellness products?
Here are the basic types of cannabis products you may encounter during your visit to a dispensary:
- Flower – dried, smokable cannabis buds
- Prerolls – pre-rolled cannabis joints & wraps
- Edibles – cannabis-infused candies, chips, drinks, etc.
- Concentrates – any processed cannabis product (also known as ‘dabs’)
- Topicals – cannabis-infused salves, lotions, balms
- Tinctures – concentrated, liquid cannabis extracts
Asking your budtender about each of these types of products will give you a better idea as to the dispensary’s current selection, customer/budtender favorites, and whether or not any specific cannabis wellness products would work best for you.
What if I’m unsure about a particular cannabis product?
It’s okay to be uncertain about cannabis wellness products, all you have to do is ask! Experienced budtenders will be able to give you great advice on best consumption techniques, accessories, and address any concerns you may have about the various items that can be found on the shelves of your local dispensary.
Which cannabis wellness products are right for me?
Finally, the more you discuss people’s interests, the more they’ll “light up” (pun intended). When talking openly with cannabis connoisseurs and experienced budtenders, you’ll surely get some great stories and personal experiences that can lead to great recommendations and build that strong relationship with your trusted local dispensary.
This is one of the best ways to figure out what you like, discover new favorite cannabis strains/products, and get a better sense of what cannabis wellness is all about.
The above-mentioned questions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding everything having to do with cannabis and our endocannabinoid system – so be sure to keep following our blog page for more canna-related resources.
*Attention: Canna-curious Lancaster, Berlin, & Bolton Residents – Come Experience the Best Weed in Massachusetts!
Located in Clinton, MA we aim to support and service the surrounding cities in our area. If you’re living in or visiting Lancaster, Berlin, or Bolton and don’t have access to a dispensary, we invite you to “roll up” and meet our team.
We also just expanded our Thursday and Friday hours from 10-6 to 10-7, so be sure to stop in and say “high”!
