With all the buzz around marijuana and hemp, more people are becoming curious about trying these products for themselves. This is why talking about the best ways to get your hands on these items has become all the more essential. If you are planning on going to a cannabis dispensary, here’s what you need to do before, during and after your visit:

Before Your Visit Cannabis Dispensary

Nothing beats the feeling of going to your trusted dispensary for a visit – aside from the feeling you get when you ingest your cannabis, of course! Whether you are a long-time enthusiast or a newbie to the cannabis world, keep in mind that it is always important to prepare for your dispensary visit. These are some of the things you should do before you go:

• Check Your State’s Marijuana Laws

There is no denying that this plant has been widely used in the United States for decades. However, recent changes to legislation have made the medicinal and recreational use of cannabis legal in a number of states. As of today, 33 states have legalized medicinal marijuana, 10 of which (with the addition of Washington, D.C.) allow its use for recreational purposes too. Moreover, cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and a controlled amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are permitted in a majority of the states, except Idaho, South Dakota and Kansas. So, before you go to a dispensary, ensure that using this herb for your intended purpose is allowed in your state.

Once you are sure that possessing and using cannabis (and cannabinoids) for medicinal or recreational purposes is permitted in your state, you should take note of the specific details of such permissions. How much cannabis are you allowed to possess on your person? How about in your place of residence? Are you required to obtain an MMJ card before you can get your dose of cannabis? Keeping tabs on the policies can help give you peace of mind in knowing that you are aware of the fundamentals and on the right side of the law when purchasing this plant.

• Do Your Research

Another important step you should take before you travel to your dispensary is to do due diligence on such dispensary. Aside from knowing the law, you might want to do further research to make sure that your trip is worth all the effort. A quick look online to get the best marijuana dispensaries in your area is a good idea. Look for a local dispensary that operates legally, and that offers excellent products, services, and variety. The best way to do this is to scour the internet for reviews about a particular dispensary. Take note of what they have to offer, how their budtenders interact with customers and the overall quality of the shop.

You also need to make sure that you know how CBD and THC works. Basically, these compounds bind with the body’s cannabinoid receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as in the digestive and immune systems. What’s fascinating is that our bodies have a natural endocannabinoid system and the compounds from the herb simply enhance its functions. It is also crucial to know that a 1:1 ratio of CBD and THC improves the effects of these two cannabinoids.

By knowing how cannabis works, you will be more confident about getting these products. This knowledge can also help you decide which products will best suit your needs to achieve the desired results.

• List Down Your Expectations

To guarantee that you get the effects you are aiming for, be sure of your needs and preferences. First, determine what you want to get from the product. Are you looking to take advantage of cannabis’ medicinal properties? Or do you simply want it for the recreational effects it offers? This will help you determine what kind of item to get.

For the dispensary itself, you might want to set a time and place that is amenable to your schedule. A word of caution though, you might want to set aside more time for your visit, especially if you are getting medical marijuana. Just like regular medical clinics, these places can have licensed medical practitioners who will conduct consultations, and these can take time.

• Bring These Essentials

When heading out to the dispensary of your choice, you want to ensure that your visit will be successful. To guarantee that you will be going home with goodies in your bag, make sure that you have these with you before you leave home:

o An ID – In states where recreational cannabis is legal, dispensaries are only permitted to distribute these products to people 21 years old and over. The dispensary may require their customers to present identification cards, so see to it that you bring one that shows your date of birth.

o Your MMJ Card – For people under the age of 21 and in need of medicinal cannabis, make sure that you have your doctor’s recommendation. If you are a patient who incorporates this herb into your medical routine, make a point of having your MMJ card with you.

o Cash – Bear in mind that this herb remains illegal federally. Hence many banks and financial service companies prohibit transactions involving marijuana. If you are thinking of going cashless, reconsider this plan and go with cash instead.

During Your Visit

So, you found a place that has great reviews, and you are ready to go. While you are there, you want to make sure that you get the best product. Check out these helpful tips on how to pick the cannabis item that perfectly suits your taste:

• Survey the Selections

With the variety of cannabis products available on the market, these shops are likely to carry a wide selection of items. Take the time to see which of these items might suit you the best. You may find a combination of dried buds, baked goods, and cannabinoid extracts. Decide for yourself the intake method you prefer. Is it the old-school way of smoking a joint? Or perhaps you want to give your experience a delicious twist and get cannabis-infused food products.

Whatever your thoughts, if you ever get confused and overwhelmed, do not hesitate to get help from the budtender. Remember, these people know the items they are selling, and they are there to assist you on your journey.

• Dig Deeper

You may have decided to get, say, the dried buds. You’ve found the type of product you think you might like. But remember, there is more to marijuana than meets the eye. You still need to decide which strain will certainly hit the spot for you. Again, your budtender will be your best source of information if you’re unsure of what to get. If you are looking for a body high, their staff is likely to recommend an indica-based strain, while they can suggest getting a sativa-dominant variety for a head high.

• Go Beyond the Mainstream

Aside from getting mainstream products like dried buds, baked goods, and extracts, you can also get more artisanal ones. From finely made cannabis-infused chocolates and coffees to vape juices and cosmetic items mixed with cannabinoids, you can be as adventurous as you like when choosing a product.

After Your Visit

Congratulations! You have just purchased your cannabis item! You must be excited to consume your newly-purchased goodies. However, the best experience comes when you make the most of these products. Need help? See to it that you keep these pointers in mind:

• Pick the Best Time

You want to make sure that your intake will work to your advantage, so it’s important to pick an optimal time for your consumption. If you want a brain high, it is likely that you purchased a CBD-rich item. These products are great for daytime, especially for mornings, as they will boost your energy and creativity levels. For those who work in the afternoon or at night, you can also ingest it before you start.

On the other hand, THC-rich treats give you a body high based on its sedative, relaxing and euphoric effects, making it better to consume these products during your downtime or before you rest.

• Take it Slow

The cannabis experience may vary, depending on the individual. For some, just one hit gives them the effect they are looking for, while for others, it takes time to show results. If you do not get the feeling you are looking for, take our word of advice: avoid taking it all in one go! Give it time to work its magic, and sure enough, you will feel its effects. This way, you are not getting more of a dose than intended, and you will be practicing healthy and safe consumption.

• Enjoy Your Cannabis!

Lastly, the best advice we can give you is just sit back (or get up!) and enjoy the goodness cannabis provides. This way, you can take advantage of what the plant has to offer without worries. Who knows, you might be on your way to becoming a cannabis enthusiast if you aren’t one already.

Along with the push to legalize cannabis, the call for proper education on procuring these items is on the rise. This helpful guide is a valuable resource to a smarter, safer and more effective way to avail of and use these products, allowing you to benefit from this wonderful plant.

If you’re suffering from acne, comedones, or other types of skin irritation — there’s a chance that you might here someone recommending CBD to you. CBD has increasingly become a known skincare treatment, as number of CBD skincare products have been released the past few years. If you want to make the most of using CBD for your skin, you might wonder: should I drink it or should I apply it? This video explores the pros and cos of taking CBD orally vs. topically for your skin.

CBD has been commonly used for pain management, skincare, and mood enhancement. The question is, can it also be used to treat heart ailments as well? Can this renowned health substance actually improve heart function, clear blood vessels, and regulate blood pressure? This video will explain further.