Hydrolife Canada February/March 2017

heal
Dispensary
Etiquette
by Kent Gruetzmacher
With the inevitability of Canada passing laws allowing both
medical and recreational cannabis use, it's possible that you
may visit a dispensary sometime in the near future. However, the
notion of walking into a storefront and purchasing marijuana
products is still quite intimidating. If that’s how you feel,
Hydrolife’s Kent Gruetzmacher has a few tips on how to make
your first trip to the dispensary smooth as cannabutter.
Though the legality of cannabis has
made many advances in recent
years, the negative stigma surrounding
its use remains deeply embedded
in the collective consciousness. As
a result, the thought of going to a
dispensary for the first time can make
even a veteran cannabis enthusiast
a bit uncomfortable. To help quell
these uneasy feelings, here is
a little advice on what one can
expect—and how one should
behave—during that initial visit.
Know the Local Laws
Perhaps the most effective way
to ensure a smooth visit to a
dispensary is to research local laws
before making a visit. As cannabis
legislation is in a constant flux, taking
a few minutes of investigative reading
will get one up to speed on Canada's
laws concerning marijuana use. Once
educated on local policy, cannabis
consumers can feel prepared and
confident on how to safely fulfill their
cannabis needs at a local dispensary.
Security Guards
Novice shoppers are often
intimidated by the presence
of armed guards in the
parking lots and entrances of
dispensaries. After all, it is
easy to mistake these guards
for police officers. Don’t fear,
though; armed guards at
cannabis dispensaries work
for private security firms that are
subcontracted by the businesses. These
guards are simply on site to keep the
premises secure and customers safe.
They’ll often want to look through
a patron’s backpack or a purse to
ensure there are no weapons inside.
So, to ensure a smooth entrance to the
dispensary, cannabis patrons should
not have anything threatening or
embarrassing in their baggage.
Check-In and Sharing
Personal Information
Every time cannabis users visit a
dispensary, they must wait in a checkin
area located outside of the shopping
space. This area exists so dispensary
employees can ensure the clients have
the proper paperwork before entering
and accessing any product. Furthermore,
the waiting area ensures that the
purchasing space doesn’t become
overcrowded, allowing budtenders to
give customers their full attention.
As mentioned above, doing research
regarding local laws beforehand will
pay off when it comes time to check-in
as you won't have to scramble to find
your government-issued ID, doctor's
referral, etc. On a similar note, don’t
be intimidated by the prospect of
sharing your personal information
with a dispensary. This data is
protected by law.
Other Patients and Consumers
At this point in time, remember that just
because people can access cannabis
at dispensaries does not mean that its
use is condoned in their professional
and personal lives. Therefore, small
talk between patrons in dispensaries
is acceptable, but anonymity should
be respected. That way there’s less
of a chance that a person’s life could
be negatively impacted by gossip
or hearsay concerning his or her
responsible cannabis consumption.
Know Your Product
When shopping for cannabis products,
utilize the staff’s knowledge. A
well-informed budtender should be
able to inform customers about the
specific effects of each strain, as well
as recommend products based on
clients’ needs and tolerance levels.
This care and attention is particularly
important when it comes to edibles
and concentrates as a little bit often
goes a long way with these potent
THC products. Still, the final decision
is placed on the consumer. That’s why
it’s a good idea for patrons to do some
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