How can I buy cannabis in California?

Since January 1, 2018, any adult over the age of 21, Californian or not, can buy cannabis at a California dispensary.

The budtenders (the people behind the counter) are generally very good at giving advice, but it's a good idea to brush up on the basics before visiting a dispensary.

A few rules to follow

To begin with, California law requires a few rules regarding the purchase and consumption of cannabis:

• be over 21 years of age and able to prove it, with a passport for example
• carry no more than 28g of dried flowers or 8g of concentrates. This is also the purchase limit
• do not smoke outdoors or within 300m of a school. Overall, it's the same legislation as tobacco, and Californians are very strict about respecting the ban on smoking in most public places.
• not cross the California border with cannabis, whether entering or leaving the state. You may, however, travel within California by car or plane with cannabis in your luggage, within the above-mentioned limits.

How do I find a dispensary?

Cannabis dispensaries are not necessarily easy to find, so you won't necessarily know what to look for. where to buy cannabis in California. The easiest way is to use the Weedmaps which geolocates the nearest dispensaries according to your location. The app also gives you access to the prices of each dispensary's products and to user comments. Also works for the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Spain.

Finding the right cannabis

Once you've reached the dispensary counter, you're spoilt for choice. There are still several questions to ask.

Would you like to feel the effects of cannabis?

• Yes: turn to THC products (tetrahydrocannabinol)
• No: go for CBD products (cannabidiol)
• Just a little: choose a product with CBD and a low percentage of THC

THC and CBD percentages are noted on dispensary menus. It's not uncommon to see strains reaching or exceeding 30% THC. If it's your first time, or if it's been more than 10 years since your last try, aim for strains with 10-15% THC.

For beginners, beware of overdose. Visit inconvenient side effects of cannabis are not pleasant, even if they disappear quickly. It's better to start with low doses, and enjoy them for longer.

For consumers with a little more experience, weeds are very well processed in California. Although THC percentages can be impressive, the weed is also very rich in terpenes, which smooth out the psychotropic effects of THC. So you can get slammed by a tasteless Audonian weed at 15%, but react well to a big Californian weed at +30% THC.

How do you want to feel?

• Energetic: prefer cannabis sativa varieties, which produce more cerebral effects, called high. Cannabis users generally prefer them during the day.
• Posé: give preference to indica cannabis varieties, with their more relaxing, bodily effects. stone.
• Half and half: hybrids are for you. Their effects depend on their crossbreeding, but they produce more balanced effects.

If you would like more information on these varieties, please click here. differences between indica and sativa.

Which consumption method?

If you want an immediate effect:

• combustion, from dried flowers, resin or pre-rolled joints. It's the good old spliff. Californians often smoke cannabis pure (without tobacco), but won't say anything if you mix tobacco and cannabis.
• vaporization is healthier, whether flower- or herb-based. concentrates elsewhere. You'll need a spray bottle, which you can buy on site.

If you want a slightly longer effect :

• visit edibles, cannabis-infused foods (the famous space cakes). They come in almost every conceivable form (sweets, drinks, pizzas...).
• visit dyes or oils for a less intense effect

Concerning edibles, These are sold in portions of 10mg THC. If you've never taken it before, start with half a serving and wait an hour. If you don't feel the effect, take the other half. Ingesting cannabis takes longer, and lasts longer too. Take it easy and don't take two doses at once.

Other products?

You can also buy topicals, cosmetics or cannabis creams. Their applications are diverse, but they do not produce psychotropic effects.