If you’re living in any of the 24 states where weed is fully legal, price becomes another barrier. It’s more expensive to buy weed from dispensaries due to the sales tax of 10% to 37% on weed which varies across states. Plus, there’s targeted pricing to achieve high profit margins based on brand value.

Apart from these, you need to be at least 21 to buy weed for recreational use, and 18 for medical purposes. So, people who are below the minimum age can drift towards street weed. Lastly, there are some people who are still habituated to buying weed from a dealer, and that’s why they tend to gravitate towards street weed even if it’s fully legal and accessible from dispensaries in their state.

Not to mention personal relationships with dealers and perceived quality of weed can also influence some people to choose street weed over dispensaries. Although these are valid reasons to buy weed from street vendors, it does not validate the fact that dispensary weed is safer than street weed.

In What Aspects is Dispensary Weed Safer Than Street Weed?

There are multiple factors that make dispensary weed safer than street weed. The first reason is obvious, street weed is illegal so it can get you into serious legal consequences depending on which state you are residing in.

And secondly, street vendors don’t maintain the safety standards directed by the Government and Health Officials, so consuming street weed can lead to serious health hazards.

They don’t care if the weed is contaminated with molds or exposed to any harmful chemicals like pesticides, heavy metals, and harmful additives. All they care about is selling the merchandise to make some easy money.

For a long time, street vendors have been the only source of weed but now that weed has been legalized in many states there are licensed dispensaries that assure quality, and safety.

So now it’s high time to learn and become more aware in what aspects dispensary weed are safer than street weed in the following.

Filters Out Harmful Pesticides and Other Components

The quality and safety of the weed mainly depends on how it’s cultivated, harvested, and stored. While harvesting the weed it may be necessary to use pesticides. Dispensaries are required to properly clean the weed and ensure that it’s free of pesticides and filter out any other harmful chemical components.

But you never know whether your street vendor will go through all that hassle. So, this puts you at substantial health risk of exposure of pesticides, and other cacogenic (cancer causing) chemicals.

So, by choosing dispensary weed, you can reduce your risk of exposure to these contaminants and protect your health while enjoying the benefits of fresh weed.

Ensures that the Weed Isn’t Infested by Molds or Bacteria

Weed is a plant, and that makes a perishable product like any vegetable, and it’s susceptible to mold or bacterial infestations. So, to ensure, and prevent the weed from getting contaminated it is crucial to ensure that it’s extracted and processed in a clean environment.

And it also needs to be properly stored in a sealed container to prevent moisture and oxidation. Weed dispensaries are legally obligated to ensure clean facilities for weed cultivation, extraction, storing and distribution.

Now ask yourself, would most street weed dealers maintain such hygiene? And more importantly do you even know in what conditions are the weed harvested, and stored?

When you buy weed from a dispensary, you will find it a sealed packaging with labelled quantity, manufacturing and expiration dates. This proves that the weed is free of contamination, whereas you can’t really get the same validation from a street vendor.

Only Allowed to Sell Weed to Age-Appropriate Customers

Weed may have been legalized in multiple states, but it's certainly limited to age restrictions just like alcohol. The legal age for buying recreational weed is 21, and above, whereas if you need it for medical use then you need to be at least 18 years old.

As dispensaries are licensed stored, they need to abide by the mandated age restriction imposed by the State’s Government. When you visit a dispensary, you will have to show your state issued photo ID such as the driver’s license, permanent resident card, or passport.

These laws are imposed mainly to prevent misuse, and reckless use of weed, especially among teenagers. Unlike dispensaries, street dealers don’t care about the legal age, and this can lead to accidents and chaos in society.

For example, teenagers are usually more impulsive and if they are high while driving or crossing the road, it can lead to dangerous accidents due to delayed response, or unmindful behavior.

Legally Liable as All Purchases are Documented

When you are purchasing weed, or any cannabis infused product from a dispensary, the purchase is electronically documented in a central database which can be accessed by every licensed weed dispensary and the Government.

You also get a printed receipt and email receipt which shows proof of your purchase. Now if you somehow feel like there’s an issue with the weed whether it’s the quality, quantity, packaging, expiration date or anything else. You get to hold the dispensary accountable.

Based on that you can either claim refunds or exchange the product for a fresh item. In case if the dispensary is not willing to comply you can even sue them. But can you do the same with street dealers? 

No, you can’t, especially because the trade itself is illegal, and if the street dealer is unwilling to provide you with a refund there’s nothing you can do. And, in worse case scenarios if you develop a health issue for consuming contaminated street weed, you can’t even claim insurance, or any sort of legal compensation. 

So, ultimately this puts you at a much greater risk of buying from street vendors instead of licensed weed dispensaries.

Suppliers Need to be Licensed by the Government

The biggest advantage of buying weed from a dispensary is they are legally obligated to source the cannabis flower, and any weed infused products from licensed suppliers.

This makes weed dispensaries trustworthy as their products are from legitimate sources that abide by state mandated production, storage and distribution methods.  Plus, dispensaries are also required to track the entire supply chain of their products, providing greater transparency and accountability.

On the other hand, street weed can be sourced from anywhere, it can be home grown or collected from unregulated farms.

So, when it comes down to the quality of weed, dispensaries are the safest option to buy weed, especially as street weed comes from unknown, unverified and shady sources. 

Also, when you’re buying from a dispensary you will get to know the supplier of the product’s packaging or container. And, if it’s needed you can do some background checks especially if you have any doubts, but that isn’t entirely possible with street weed.

Quality Assurance Check to Ensure Safety

Weed dispensaries are legally required to conduct a thorough quality assurance check to ensure safety. This includes rigorously checking the weed’s potency level, and terpene profiles to determine its strain, and the overall chemical compounds of the weed especially the THC, and CBD content.

On top of that, quality assurance checks also involve identifying whether there is any residual substance, heavy metals, microbial contaminants, or any toxic elements like pesticides on the weed. If it’s identified, the weed or the cannabis infused product is sent back to get it refined, processed and decontaminated.

After the quality assurance testing if the product meets all the safety standards, it is packed, labelled and distributed to weed dispensary outlets. The overall quality assurance process is the main reason that makes dispensary weed safer than street weed.

Zero Risks of Legal Penalties and Consequences

Even though weed has been fully legalized for both recreational and medical use in 24 states, and for just medical purposes in 38 states in the USA, it is still illegal to purchase weed from unauthorized suppliers. This means that street weed is illegal by default.

So, if you’re caught buying weed from street vendors, you may get fined, or even arrested. That’s why to stay on the safe side its always best to buy weed, or any cannabis infused products from dispensaries.

It’s understandable that street weed is cheaper, which makes it more affordable but if you face legal penalties just for buying street weed it can cost you a lot more of your money, and your time. Plus, as it’s a crime to buy street weed, it can also affect your employment, housing opportunities, and your eligibility status for state funded grants.

Why Should You Always Choose a Weed Dispensary Over Street Vendors?

The main reason you should always choose a weed dispensary over street vendors is, dispensaries are answerable to the state. So, when it comes to quality assurance weed dispensaries are bound to offer the highest standards.

The best part is you can always hold a dispensary accountable whether it’s in terms of the quality of the products, it’s price, or if you have experienced any health problems after its consumption.

But when it comes to street vendors, you may not even be able to find them. And, even if they do respond, they may not comply with you and compensate you for any loss. Also, street weed is illegal so it can get you in serious legal complications.

So, to stay legally secure, and to stay healthy, you should always choose a weed dispensary over street vendors any day! 

If you are looking for weed dispensaries in Michigan, you can consider checking out Dispo. We offer high-quality cannabis flower, and other weed-based products like edibles, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, vaporizers and more.

What Should You Do if You Live in a State Where Weed is Still Illegal?

It may sound surprising but there are still a few states where weed is still fully illegal which includes Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wyoming. This means you cannot buy or consume weed in these states. 

If you are caught buying, carrying or consuming weed in any of these states it can lead to serious legal repercussions of up to $1,000- and 1-year jailtime.

Even if you have a debilitating health condition that requires use of weed for treatment there’s no way to get a legal permit to purchase or consume weed.

So, this leads to one option, if you really need to consume weed to treat a health condition then the only option is to either travel to a state where weed is legal for medical use, or to travel to a state where weed is fully legal. 

But if you need to consume weed in the long run, not just occasionally, then it’s best to consider permanently moving to a state where weed is fully legal. Also, if you prefer to consume weed for recreational purposes, then this is also something that you need to consider.

Unfortunately, as of now, there isn’t a better alternative, but don’t be disheartened because the legal status of weed is drastically changing. Up until late 2018, weed was not legal for recreational use in Michigan, it was only allowed for medical purposes. But ever since the legal amendments in November 2018, weed has been legalized in Michigan for recreational use. 

Also, weed has been legalized for recreational use in multiple states in recent years which includes:

2021: New York, New Mexico, Virginia, and Connecticut 

2022: Maryland, Missouri and Rhode Island 

2023: Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Ohio

So, you see if you look at the trends weed is becoming fully legalized quite fast over the last couple of years. This leaves another option; you can wait until weed gets legalized in your state. Or if you really need to consume it, you can always travel to other states where it’s legal for just medical use, or for both medical and recreational purposes.

Last Piece of Advice: Prioritize Your Health and Choose Legal Sources to Buy Weed

Do you really think it’s worth the risk to go for street weed while you have licensed weed dispensaries that offer quality weed, and other cannabis products?

Yes, it might save you some money, but at the end of the day you are putting your health at risk. Plus, you might also face legal consequences that might lead to financial burdens, and loss of opportunities.

If you weigh the pros and cons, the cons of choosing street weed are much greater. It’s not really worth the risk. So that’s why it’s always best to choose the safer option, and purchase weed from dispensaries. Make the responsible choice by prioritizing your health and abiding by the state laws.

FAQs

Is dispensary weed always better?

Yes, dispensary weed is always better than street weed especially because it’s under the direct purview of state mandated regulations. Dispensaries are obligated by state laws to maintain hygiene and quality, which makes it a better option for both personal health and legal safety. 

What is the difference between street weed and dispensary weed?

The main difference between street weed and dispensary weed is the legal status. Street weed is illegal, and it is produced, distributed and sold by unlicensed vendors, whereas dispensary weed is legal for the same purposes. Dispensary weed is a healthier and safer choice as quality assurance is a mandatory legal requirement, whereas there is no guarantee whether street weed is even safe for consumption. 

What are the requirements to buy weed from dispensaries?

You need to be at least 21 if you are buying weed for recreational use, or at least 18 for medical purposes. You also need to show a state issued photo ID which can be your driver’s license, resident card or passport. If you are buying for medical use, then you also must show a medical marijuana card, or a weed card.

Making cannabis tinctures can be time consuming, and it also requires a lot of effort. Plus, you also need to be careful with the dosage of weed and alcohol. For a convenient and high-quality option, you can consider purchasing pre-made cannabis tinctures from a reputable dispensary. Dispo offers a wide selection of tinctures to suit your preferences.

If you are using it for medical purposes, you can consider using CBD oil which you can purchase from any reputed weed dispensary.  

With Cannabis Distillate

Cannabis distillate is a great liquid concentrate that you can use to infuse with any food, or beverage especially because it’s tasteless and odorless. It is produced in labs and contains highly concentrated cannabinoid extracts such as THC, and CBD of up to 90% or more.

The best part of using cannabis distillate as a base ingredient is, you can maintain the original taste of the food or beverage while making high potency edibles. As it comes in a super concentrated form it’s best to go for the minimal dosage for starters which is 2-5mg.

Whether you’re using it for cooking or infusing it with a readymade food or beverage, it’s important to ensure that it’s evenly distributed in the edible. When it comes to mixing the distillate, you will need to heat it up a bit in low temperatures.

So, if you’re cooking then make sure to melt it with the oil, and evenly mix it. If you’re having soup or a hot beverage you can pour the distillate directly into the hot soup or beverage and stir it well to ensure its properly mixed.

Apart from that, you can even microwave it with a dish for about 2 minutes, and then use a spoon to properly mix it with the food. Plus, you can also infuse the cannabis distillate by mixing it in warm water, and then using that mixture to cook, or prepare any cannabis edible.

If you’re wondering if you can make cannabis distillates at home, then the short answer is no, as it requires complex lab equipment and procedures to make cannabis distillates. But you can always buy it from a trusted cannabis dispensary and use it to cook, and process edible cannabis food and beverages.

Bottomline: Prepare the Base Ingredient to Make Edible Cannabis

You can basically make any food, or beverage into a cannabis edible by mixing and infusing it with any of the base ingredient which includes the cannabutter, cannaoil, cannabis tincture, or cannabis distillate.

Whether you’re looking forward to exploring tasty dishes, delicious treats, or your favorite beverage, all you need is the base ingredient. This guide should help you understand how you can use these base ingredients to make a variety of cannabis edibles.

If you’re wondering what you can start with, you can try making edible cannabis such as cannabis brownies, cannabis cookies, cannabis popcorn, and weed pizza.

Also, if you want to enjoy refreshing beverages like tea, coffee, or smoothies with weed, you can mix it with cannabis tincture or distillate. While mixing these base ingredients make sure not to get carried away and do it proportionately. For starters, it’s best to stick to expert tips that have been suggested in this article.

FAQs

How to make cannabis edibles?

It depends how you are going to make the cannabis edible, if you are cooking or baking then you will need to mix it with base ingredients like cannabutter, cannaoil or cannabis distillate with the food. If you need to make cannabis edibles that are ready to consume like cooked food, chocolate bars, soup and any beverage, you can add cannabis tincture, or distillate to make cannabis edibles.

How to make cannabis infused oil for edibles?

To make cannabis infused oil for edibles, you will have to decarboxylate the cannabis, mix it with the oil in a saucepan or double boiler in low heat for 3 hours. While it’s simmering, you will need to occasionally stir the mixture. After 3 hours you will have to strain the plant materials using a cheesecloth and store it in a jar or glass container.

What is the best method of cannabis edibles?

The best method for cannabis edibles depends on what you are going to make. If you’re cooking or baking, then cannabutter is the best cannabis edible especially for its versatile use, and strong taste. For making beverages, or for instant infusion cannabis tincture is the best cannabis edible.

Can I make edibles with dry bud?

Dry bud which is basically the decarboxylated weed is the primary ingredient that you will need to prepare edible cannabis bases like cannabutter, cannaoil, cannabis tincture, and cannabis distillate.