A Guide on Finding the Best Dispensary In Midtown, NYC
There are cannabis dispensaries, and then there ARE cannabis dispensaries. For newbies, there’s no telling the difference between the two, but those who know, know.
Midtown, NYC, offers a smorgasbord of variety, yet knowing where to look is the secret to finding the best quality product. Ask any New Yorker, and they’ll tell you Midtown’s best dispensaries are some of the best-kept secrets this side of the Atlantic.
Quality Checklist
It’s easy to pop into the first store you come across. Don’t. That’s a common mistake many rookies make.
To experience the best bud, you have to put in the work, aka research. Manhattan is the heart of the legal cannabis boom in NYC, the operative word being legal. With unlicensed shops popping up on almost every corner, you’ll be attracted to the bright lights and enticing signage.
Stay clear of these establishments. The state of New York regulates legal dispensaries. Every product is lab-tested for quality and safety, so you can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that it is compliant.
Variety is the Spice of Life
Many dispensaries have a curated selection of weed, from flower to edibles to vapes. Once you step inside a store, it’s sensory overload.
Confused about which one to pick? Don’t be. Budtenders are your friends and are highly knowledgeable about strains and their desired effects.
A good place to start is 42nd Street. Housed in the former Nat Sherman Townhouse, Torches NYC is Midtown’s newest icon, a hub for cannabis culture and the city’s most highly curated selection of flower, vapes, edibles, concentrates, and more. Here, you’ll get expert advice from the friendly team who know their way around excellent bud.
Value for Money
The supply chain in the cannabis market is somewhat complicated. Unlike some states where recreational cannabis is legal, suppliers can’t buy directly from growers and producers.
YouTube channel Public Opinion posted a video several months ago tracing the source of NYC’s weed supply. It found a complicated trail of lab testing requirements and supply chain issues.
Because of these factors, NYC cannabis isn’t exactly cheap. Thankfully, many licensed stores offer regular discounts. In addition to the most sought-after menu in NYC, Torches regularly updates its Weekly Specials page with incredible deals and limited-time offers.
It’s worth checking the dispensary’s website for online-only specials.
Legal or Not?
Over the past five years, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx have seen the largest concentration of dispensaries. Some might give the illusion that everything is above board.
Politico reports that city officials shut down more than 1,300 illicit outlets last year. Unlicensed sellers are stealthy operators, often opening shops near schools, claims the publication.
To verify legitimacy, always look for the store’s official NYS Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) sticker and QR code. This state agency regulates licensing, cultivation, production, distribution, sales, and taxation for adult-use cannabis.
Reputation is Everything
In this industry, you are only as good as your last sale. One bad online review can hurt your brand, and in the cannabis community, word spreads fast.
Check Google and Yelp for positive feedback. If you spot a few bad reviews, there’s no need to write off the store; every business has its good and bad days. But a red flag is consistently bad critiques.
Most dispensaries take pride in their community and educational programs. Some even go as far as contributing a percentage of sales to NGOs or to fund social services.
Delivery Options
Sometimes, all you want to do when you reach your destination is to put your feet up and partake in the lay of the land. And that’s totally fine.
In NYC, you have options that entail never setting foot outside your Airbnb door. Catering to a certain clientele, smoke shops offer the convenience of same-day delivery when ordering online.
Dispensaries might charge a small delivery fee. Some offer free delivery with a minimum purchase. Don’t forget to show your ID as proof of your being of legal age (21).
4/20 Events to Add to Your Social Calendar
You can’t visit Midtown NYC without attending a 4/20 party. Midtown’s cannabis community goes all out. Some establishments turn it into a weekend celebration.
To stay in the loop, join dispensary mailing lists to be one of the first invited to these exclusive parties. Many events are chill, laid-back get-togethers where cannabis lovers can experience a collective sensory high.
With that being said, always remember to enjoy responsibly.