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Thousands of Missourians will be stepping foot in a dispensary for the first time this year, ready to purchase medical marijuana legally. For those who just got their Missouri medical card, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by your first dispensary visit, but with a little preparation, there’s no need to be intimidated.
We’re here to arm you with a simple guide to help ease your mind before that first dispensary trip. With a little preparation, you’ll be ready to ask the questions you need to get the relief you seek. And, hopefully you go home with something new and exciting in your shopping bag!
How to Find Your Local Dispensary
There are always new dispensaries popping up throughout the state of Missouri. To find the dispensary nearest you, or to explore your options, simply visit our extensive Missouri Dispensary Guide.
Don’t Forget Your Medical Card
You can’t purchase marijuana in Missouri without a valid state medical card. You’ll also want to have your photo ID handy. Cannabis is legal in Missouri, but dispensaries are heavily regulated; these businesses won’t risk their license by selling cannabis to someone who doesn’t have the proper documentation.
If you don’t have your card, we can help with that. Schedule an appointment to see if you qualify by CLICKING HERE, or give us a call at (877) 303-3117.
Bring Cash or Call Ahead
Most Missouri dispensaries only accept cash payment, but if you don’t have cash, the dispensary may have an on-site ATM. Either way, if you aren’t certain of your dispensary’s accepted method of payment, it’s always a good idea to call ahead.
Be Prepared to Wait
Medical marijuana is still fairly new to Missouri and is in high demand. Be prepared to stand in line and wait to do your shopping, especially if the dispensary just opened. If you need something to keep you occupied while you’re in line, peruse our blog for all-sorts of helpful medical marijuana information and advice.
Have Questions Ready
If you have questions about cannabis or cannabis products, have them ready. A knowledgeable dispensary staff member will be on-site, and they’re there to help. If you have concerns about how cannabis might affect a medical issue that you deal with or simply want to know the difference between products, this is the time to find out.
Remember - the staff at the dispensary WANT you to have a great cannabis experience. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by so many medical marijuana options, but they will be happy to answer your questions.
Have a Cannabis Goal
Having a goal in mind will help YOU and your budtender select the cannabis products that are right for you. What exactly would you like to get out of your cannabis experience? Are you looking to increase focus, treat chronic pain, reduce anxiety, get more sleep, or something else? Cannabis can treat a wide range of medical conditions, so whether you are using it for something specific or simply using medical marijuana to enhance your overall wellbeing, let your budtender know!
If you have previous cannabis experiences - good or bad - this is also something to take into consideration. This will allow your budtender to give you advice on how to find your proper dosage level. You don’t have to have a concrete goal in mind, but it helps to have an idea of what you’d like to get out of your medical marijuana experience.
Check Out the Menu in Advance
Does your dispensary have a website? If so, it’s worth taking the time to scroll through their products in advance. If something catches your eye, make a note so you can ask a staff member about it when you get to the store.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the selection when you arrive, so having a game plan of which products you’re interested in beforehand can help you narrow down your purchase options.
Put Away Your Phone
Most dispensaries have a “no phone” policy. Once you are inside the dispensary, put your phone away until you have left the store. It’s standard dispensary etiquette.
Tip Your Budtender
It isn’t required, but standard practice says you should leave a tip for your budtender. If you are just making a simple purchase, a few bucks is the norm. If your budtender goes above and beyond, answering questions and making product recommendations, tip them more. They are your guide on your cannabis journey. Take care of them, and they’ll take care of you.
Don’t Spark Up in the Parking Lot.
We get it. You’re excited. You just purchased some incredible medical marijuana products and cannot wait to get relief. However, resist the urge to consume cannabis in the dispensary parking lot. That could get the dispensary in legal trouble, and if you are caught, you could get into legal trouble yourself and at the very least may be banned from the dispensary. Wait until you get home or somewhere private to enjoy your medicine.
Plan to Keep a Cannabis Journal
If you are new to medical marijuana, your journey has only just begun. You may need to do some experimenting to see how different strains, dosages, and products, such as tinctures, edibles, and topicals affect your body.
Create a cannabis journal where you write down the date, time of day, type of product, and dosage that you consume. Then, keep track of how the particular cannabis products and dosages make you feel. This will help you discover the best way to incorporate medical marijuana into your life.
Your Medical Card - Don’t Leave Home Without It
The safe, legal relief that cannabis provides is available to Missouri residents. All you need is a valid medical card. If you still need to get your card, we can help with that. Our physicians are standing by to take you through a quick and easy evaluation to see if you qualify. Schedule an appointment with a marijuana doctor online by CLICKING HERE, or give us a call at (877) 303-3117 to talk to a patient support representative.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Missouri Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Missouri