What to Bring When Visiting a Dispensary in NJ

New Jersey has a booming cannabis market, but since it is a highly regulated industry, buying recreational cannabis in NJ isn’t as easy as walking into a normal retail store. To ensure that your visit is seamless, stress-free, and fun, here’s a checklist of all the things you need to carry with you before visiting a dispensary in New Jersey.

Valid Government-Issued Photo ID

This is a golden rule in cannabis retail in New Jersey. The state requires any person to be aged 21 or older to purchase adult-use cannabis. Security personnel at dispensaries will often check and scan your ID before you’re permitted to enter the shop and sales floor.

Accepted IDs include a valid State Driver’s License, a State-issued ID card, a Passport, or a Military ID. Make sure your ID isn’t expired. Even if it was valid the day before, a dispensary can’t allow you inside the shop with an expired document. Digital copies or photos of IDs are also not permitted, so make sure to carry a valid physical ID.

Cash or Debit Card

Due to federal banking regulations, most dispensaries don’t accept or process credit card transactions. So, cash is the best and fastest way to purchase cannabis products. It also helps you avoid paying extra fees.

Several locations in New Jersey also use “Cashless ATM” systems. This allows you to use your debit card, but the transaction gets rounded up to the nearest $5 or $10 increment, and you’ll receive the difference back in cash, akin to an ATM withdrawal.

There are also traditional ATMs on site in dispensaries, either near the location or inside the lobby. However, with most things that are convenient, expect bank and machine fees.

New Jersey Medical Marijuana Card (If Applicable)

If you’re a registered patient and have a Medical Marijuana Card, make sure to bring your physical or digital medical ID. Being a medical patient in New Jersey comes with some really cool “Home State” perks like:

• Tax Savings – Medical cannabis is exempt from the standard 6.6% state sales tax

• Priority Access – Several dispensaries across the state have dedicated lines or “Medical-Only” hours to ensure that patients get their medicinal cannabis quickly.

• Higher Potency – Medical patients often have access to a wider variety of products that are designed specifically for medicinal use.

• Larger limits – Medical patients also have higher purchase limits for medical marijuana as compared to cannabis purchased for recreational use.

Understand Purchase Limits

In New Jersey, recreational consumers can buy up to one ounce (28.35 grams) cannabis per transaction. The state uses an equivalency system, which establishes how different cannabis products (concentrates, edibles, vapes) are converted into a “dried flower” equivalent to adhere to purchase limits. This equivalency system makes sure that you stay within the legal limit across different product types, which include –

• Flower – 1 Ounce

• Concentrates/Vapes – 4 grams

• Edibles – 1,000mg of THC

Dispensaries have budtenders who will keep track of this limit for you at the counter or at the register. However, having an idea of what you want/need beforehand will help make your purchasing process faster.

Safe transport for Cannabis Products

New Jersey law is quite specific about how cannabis is transported. Once you’ve made the purchase, your cannabis products must stay in their original, child-proof, and tamper-resistant packaging until you reach a private residence.

To avoid any confusion with law enforcement about open container laws, the best practice is to store your sealed dispensary bag in the trunk or a locked glove box while driving. That way, you’re in the clear if you’re ever stopped.

It’s important to be aware of safe cannabis practices: driving after consumption of cannabis is unsafe and punishable in New Jersey; please call a cab/Uber if you’ve consumed cannabis and need to get home.

Tips on Dispensary Etiquette for first-timers

If this is your first time visiting a dispensary in Jersey city, make the most of your trip by keeping these things in mind:

Have your ID ready

Even if a bouncer at the door has asked you for your ID, the budtender will need to verify it again at the time of purchase. Keep it accessible until your transaction is complete.

Be mindful of “Consultation” Pace

Most budtenders are happy to answer as many questions as you have. However, if there are many people in the line behind you, try to have a general idea of your preferences to help speed up your purchasing process.

Don’t open products in the store

It’s illegal to open or consume cannabis products inside a dispensary or in the parking lot of one. Make sure to wait until you’re on private property.

Visit Our Women-Owned Dispensary in Jersey City

The Retreat is your place to unwind while New Jersey’s cannabis market blossoms with additional alternatives. Our woman-owned cannabis dispensary is thoughtfully designed and created with care.

We love being a part of the cannabis community in Jersey City, Bayonne, and surrounding areas. The Retreat is our attempt at not just selling cannabis but helping people toward a healthy wellness journey.

Get a first-hand look at our unique approach to health and cannabis by stopping by our woman-owned dispensary in Jersey City. Visit our Grand Street store or browse our online menu to discover all our options!