Cannabis dispensaries got their start in Amsterdam in the 1970’s and were called coffee shops.
It’s taken our country a long time to allow the setup of marijuana dispensaries.
They are strictly regulated by the local government. The first dispensary opened in the United States in San Francisco. As of 2015, Americans were spending over $5 billion on legal cannabis and the industry is expected to rapidly increase. Today’s dispensaries are gaining popularity and more are opening their doors all the time. Medical dispensaries provide for the patient according to the doctor’s recommendations. Although federal laws are still in place, 28 states have allowed medicinal dispensaries to open their doors for business. Medical and recreational dispensaries are regulated differently, and there are far less of the latter. Dispensaries are allowed to grow their own cannabis, although many source their plants from independent growers. Before visiting a medical dispensary, make sure to have the proper documentation. You’re going to need a medical cannabis certification, valid ID and your doctor’s recommendation. You need to be above the age of eighteen, although there are certain exceptions made for minors with debilitating illnesses. You’ll be required to register at the dispensary for regulatory and legal purposes. The majority of medical dispensaries include a waiting room separating patients from the budtenders that provides privacy. To visit a recreational dispensary, you need to be above 21 years old and present a valid ID. Recreational shops are required to post their menus on their website or at the physical location. Both types of dispensaries most often employ budtenders to provide helpful information about the different types of cannabis and products.