8 Simple Tips for Your First Trip to a Maine Dispensary
Visiting a dispensary in Maine? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Everyone remembers their first trip to the dispensary. It’s an exciting but anxious time because you’re not sure what to expect and you don’t want to embarrass yourself. Don’t worry about that. Visiting a Maine dispensary is an enjoyable experience because we have the best employees working for us and their job is to make your first time as easy and simple as possible.
To help make it even easier for you, here are eight tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your trip to a Maine dispensary.
1. Bring Your ID and Cash or Debit Card
The two most important things to have with you for your first visit to a Maine dispensary are your ID and some cash or debit card. While Theory Wellness and some other Maine dispensaries are capable of accepting debit cards, it’s a good idea to have cash with you just in case. Because cannabis dispensaries are only legal at the state level and are not federally recognized, many payment processors refuse to process purchases for legal cannabis. This is the reason why many will only accept cash payments.
If you don’t have your government issued ID on you, chances are you won’t even be able to get into the dispensary. Someone will greet you at the door and expect to see your ID before letting you inside.
2. Check out the Menu Online First
While it’s not a big deal for your first visit, we recommend checking out the dispensary menu online to get an idea of what types of strains and products they have, consumption methods, and prices. You’ll need to know how much cash to bring with you based on how much you’d like to purchase so checking out the menu will give you an idea of how much everything will cost.
Many dispensaries in Maine including Theory Wellness offer a way for you to pre-order everything online. Check out our menus in South Portland, Waterville, and Bangor. You’ll choose what products you want and what time you want to pick them up. This makes things a lot easier on the dispensary but it also limits wait times when you get there.
A lot of what you see in movies and TV isn’t always true. You don’t often walk into a dispensary and see people sampling the product and choosing between a bunch of cannabis behind a glass plated counter. Most of the time, people have placed their orders ahead of time and they’re simply going to the dispensary to pick it up and pay for their orders.
3. Have Your Goals in Mind
When we say goals we mean the following:
- What type of consumption method are you interested in?
- Do you like a specific product category in-mind (edibles, flower, pre-rolls, etc)?
- What’s your desired outcome?
- Is there a specific activity you’re planning to enjoy?
- What prior experience do you have with cannabis?
If you haven’t placed an order in advance, these are questions that the cannabis consultants will likely ask you when you arrive at the dispensary so it helps to think about them ahead of time. Think about what you want to accomplish. For example, someone coming in with lower back pain would want a different strain than someone with anxiety.
Also, remember that you don’t need to have a reason at all. If you simply want to come in and purchase some cannabis because you enjoy it, that’s fine too. But the more you can tell us about yourself, the better chance we have of helping you find a strain that you’ll enjoy.
4. Expect a First Visit Consultation
This tip will vary from one Maine recreational dispensary to another and is more common in states where it’s legal for medicinal purposes. Some dispensaries will want to learn a little more about you while others won’t require any type of consultation. This is especially true for out-of-state visitors. If you’re in the area temporarily and won’t likely be returning to the dispensary, you don’t have to worry about this.
5. Know the Laws
It’s important to understand the laws in Maine. Right now, cannabis is recreationally legal which means that anyone over the age of 21 can come into a dispensary with a government issued ID and purchase cannabis. Many dispensaries including Theory Wellness will not allow children under the age of 21 to enter the dispensary.
Keep in mind that you should not expect to consume any cannabis inside the dispensary. It is also recommended that you wait until you get home to consume anything. It is still illegal to drive while under the influence of cannabis and you’ll want to make sure to keep your product inside the container provided to you by the dispensary so you can show that you legally purchased the cannabis in the event of a traffic stop.
6. Ask Questions
Don’t feel like you’re the first person to walk into a dispensary without experience before. This happens every day as the world opens up more and more about legal cannabis. We’ve seen people from all walks of life come through the doors of the dispensary and they’re all unfamiliar with the process so don’t worry so much.
Budtenders and dispensary employees are there to answer your questions and help you choose the right cannabis for your needs. Even if you understand the product, it helps to ask questions because there are new items coming out each day so it’s good to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends.
Another important thing to remember is that you’re not doing anything wrong. The first time you walk into the dispensary if you’ve never been to one before, you may feel as if you’re doing something “illegal” or “immoral.” You can get rid of those thoughts right away and you’ll soon realize that when you see that everyone going to the dispensary is just another average person like you. Moms, dads, blue collar workers, and corporate suits. People of all types enjoy cannabis and so can you.
If you want to reach out to Theory ahead of your visit, you can contact us via email at [email protected] or through the live chat function on our website. Look for the black “Help” link at the bottom right of any page. You can also contact us through our Google pages for the South Portland, Waterville, and Bangor stores.
7. Respect Others' Privacy
There is a certain “etiquette” to follow when you go to a dispensary. Every dispensary is different but you’ll want to generally follow these guidelines no matter where you go. Keep in mind that many people may not want to broadcast what they’re purchasing for the entire room so be sure to give people space when they’re talking about their cannabis with the budtender.
If you’re waiting to enter, be respectful of everyone else who is waiting. Don’t talk on your cell phone, don’t be overly loud, and realize that you’re not in a typical retail setting. Shopping at a dispensary is different from shopping at a clothing store. Many of the people in there are shopping for something that they believe is very important to them and the price can add up if you’re purchasing long-term so give them the time, space, and peace they need to get in and get out.
8. Relax and Have Fun
Last but certainly not least, relax and enjoy the process. Remember how long it took for us to get to this point as a country and now we can legally and calmly purchase cannabis from a dispensary without having to worry. Just know that your first experience doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking one. In fact, it shouldn’t be. It should be exciting, fun, and rewarding.
If you find that purchasing legal cannabis from a Maine recreational dispensary is something you might be interested in, the time is now. We’d love to have you at one of our recreational cannabis dispensaries in Bangor, South Portland, or Waterville. Visit a Maine dispensary today, pre-order your cannabis online, or give us a call – we’d be more than happy to walk you through the process.
About Theory Wellness
Theory Wellness is a vertically integrated dispensary with a deep passion for cannabis and the role it plays in improving people’s lives. We focus on small-batch cultivation of premium genetics sourced from select breeders around the world. We use high-efficiency growing techniques that help the plant reach its full potential in bud structure, terpene profile, and bag appeal. In addition, our lab is filled with an eclectic group of passionate scientists. We produce our products using state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and are constantly exploring new methods to develop our products.
Please Consume Responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment effects of Edible Marijuana Products may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.
