The Newbie’s Guide to the Dispensary Experience

Feeling unsure about visiting your local dispensary for the first time? Don’t be intimidated: Most of us Marylanders are fairly “green” to the world of legalized cannabis. After all, recreational use was only legalized with the Maryland Cannabis Reform Act in July 2023.

Fresh as it is, our cannabis market is thriving—in the first 12 months, retail sales surpassed $1.1 billion, and there are now more than 100 dispensaries statewide. As someone who hadn’t yet dabbled in the fast-growing industry, I jumped at the chance to learn more.

En route to visit the Reisterstown-based Curaleaf, a cannabis company with eight Maryland locations, I outed myself as a newbie by forgetting my ID. After the team kindly explained that an ID is a non-negotiable for any dispensary, I retrieved it and was welcomed into their warm, lively storefront, which was buzzing with energy from the 5 p.m. after-work crowd.

Despite the high level of regulation—which we’ll get into later—I was surprised that visiting Curaleaf felt like visiting any other beloved store (if anything, the energy was just an octave higher than most). But unlike visiting the local gift store or clothing boutique, there are some know-before-you-go basics that will make your first experience at the dispensary less fraught.

So let’s get straight into the most important things for newbie customers to know.

Getting into the dispensary
First things first: Who can shop at dispensaries?

Anyone over the age of 21 can shop recreationally (again, bringing valid ID is a must). Medical cardholders can be as young as 16 years old, although minors must be accompanied by a caregiver.

There are a few differences between the medical experience and the adult-use (also known as recreational) experience. Medical cardholders can purchase more products in a single setting and have priority service at dispensaries. Recreational shoppers also pay a nine-percent tax on cannabis products.

“We had almost 100,000 customers last year, and I’d say about 80 percent were recreational users,” says Taylor Winston, Curaleaf’s area manager. “Typically, medical customers stock up when they’re here, while recreational customers come in more frequently. It’s like grabbing a coffee; some people visit multiple times per day.”

What to buy
It’s totally normal to be overwhelmed at first: There are thousands of products for newbies to choose from. Sales associates at dispensaries are called budtenders, and they’re there to support you every step of the way.

“Budtenders are passionate and knowledgeable experts,” says Brad Ausfresser, a Curaleaf store manager. “Everyone starts out new, so don’t be scared to ask them questions and be honest about what you’re looking for.”

If you’re not exactly sure, your budtender will ask guiding questions like: How do you want to feel? What’s your goal? Where and how do you want to partake? Another FYI: There are no “wrong” answers.

“Whether you want better sleep or just to get really high, budtenders are there to help you,” says Ausfresser.

Before your first dispensary visit, it can be helpful to browse online to see what’s offered, says Krystal Burgess, marketing manager at CULTA, one of the largest indoor/outdoor cannabis farms on the East Coast.

Burgess says that pre-rolls (also known as joints) are a popular choice for first-time customers, since they don’t require any additional supplies or special know-how. Vaporizers (also known as vapes) are another low-maintenance product to start with.

“It’s just an oil cartridge that gets heated up by a rechargeable battery,” explains Burgess. “Just remember that you need to buy a battery, too.”

Regardless of the product you choose, the important thing for those new to cannabis to remember is to start “low and slow.”

“It’s trial and error at first, so give yourself adequate time—an hour or so—before trying any more cannabis,” says Ausfresser. “You don’t want it to hit you all at once.”

Dispensary etiquette
Because dispensaries are so committed to taking the time to educate customers, it’s important to be patient (especially during peak times, like 5 p.m.).

It’s also considered good practice to tip your budtender in cash for good service.

There’s also a hierarchy of sorts among patrons, so come prepared to be patient. The state requires dispensaries to have medical exclusive hours or a priority line for medical customers, so don’t take it personally if someone gets helped before you.

The most important thing? “Have fun!” says Winston. “We want you to enjoy your experience.”

A strongly regulated industry
According to Ausfresser, many people underestimate just how regulated the cannabis industry is. “Each plant is tagged and tracked, from the moment it’s planted all the way until it’s sold in stores,” he says. “The level of oversight is almost like a pharmacy.”

Speaking of pharmacies, Curaleaf actually has a company pharmacist on call to assist customers with any questions about drug interactions. Their pharmacist is also featured in a digital training to educate Curaleaf staff members.

Lindsay Ward, director of retail operations at CULTA, says that new customers are often surprised that you can’t see the product in the dispensary.

“Cannabis is still a schedule I drug, so shoppers can’t touch or smell it,” she shares. “Many people don’t realize you can’t buy with your nose.”

Another lesser-known fact is that Maryland dispensaries can only sell products produced and packaged in-state. “So, when you visit a local dispensary, you truly are supporting the local economy,” says Winston.

Looking to the future
While each dispensary has its individualities, they all share one thing in common: Excitement about the industry’s future. One of the biggest points of pride is the shift in the cultural attitude surrounding cannabis.

“The vibe just feels more positive and accepting. We still have a long way to go, but I’ve noticed that marijuana has been less demonized even in just the past few years, which is super refreshing,” says Ward.

Ausfresser agrees: “People have waited a really long time for this. They’re stoked to be at dispensaries and talking openly about cannabis.”

“We all love this plant and want other people to feel the same way we do,” says Winston. “Our job is to make sure your journey is as fun as ours.”

In just the brief time I spent at the dispensary, that passion and energy was apparent. I left feeling like part of a community I didn’t know existed, with full faith that other newbies like me are in good hands with Baltimore’s expert budtenders.

For more information about cannabis and its use in Maryland, visit cannabis.maryland.gov.

Purchase with Purpose: An Interview with the CEO Behind Canton’s Newest Cannabis Dispensary

Christina Betancourt Johnson is a native Washingtonian who has lived in Maryland for most of her life. She worked in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, as well as in government affairs, before founding the cannabis company Standard Wellness, which opened its first retail dispensary, The Forest, in Canton in January.

Johnson serves as vice chair of The Maryland Wholesale Cannabis Trade Association and was recently appointed by Gov. Wes Moore to the Advisory Board on Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis.

Here, she talks to Baltimore about her company and her aspirations for social equity in the cannabis industry:

Your company is the first African American and Latina majority-owned, vertically integrated cannabis company in the United States. Can you explain how that differentiates you in this space
Vertical integration means that you own everything from seed to sale. So we’re able to cultivate the plant, we’re able to manufacture and do extractions from the plant, and then we’re also able to sell the plant to the broader community in a dispensary.

What are the advantages of that model?
You’re able to optimize profit margins and your quality control is better. You can be responsive to consumer demand and product safety, and you have better management over your brand and its positioning in the market. You also have supply chain reliability. If you have a vertical, you eliminate the dependency on external suppliers and you reduce the risk of shortages or price fluctuations, which is a big deal now in this industry.

What makes the opening of The Forest such a significant milestone?
It’s a milestone for our company because it’s been a multi-year journey to get to this moment. I’ve been in the industry for more than five years and we’ve only been open for one month. So this is the materialization of a vision and a dream, but also of an incredible amount of commitment and hard work. And the community has lifted us up to help us get to this moment.

For me, The Forest represents the growth and renewal and the natural beauty of cannabis, but it also represents the emergence of the social equity applicants who are coming into this industry in a formidable way. There have been three phases to building this vertical, and no other social equity applicant at this point has that. So for us it’s meaningful because we are represented in a space that historically had no majority owner that was a woman in Maryland, much less a woman of color.

When someone comes to The Forest, what is the customer experience you cultivate?
The vision of the dispensary was an elevated and welcoming space designed to really reshape the cannabis experience. When people come into our store, they’re going to be greeted warmly, and they’re going to see and experience a store that is designed to be calm with a boutique-like experience. We have a warm aesthetic with high-end materials, but it’s also very welcoming and community-driven, and you get that as soon as you come in. We focus on carrying both premium cannabis brands and women and minority-owned brands, but we also have a variety of wellness-focused offerings that align with the lifestyle of our customers.

You are involved at the leadership level with state and national cannabis industry associations and thought leaders. Where do you see the cannabis industry heading in the future?
I see it evolving into a more mature, integrated, and innovation-driven market here in Maryland. There are a few trends that will shape the industry in Maryland. First, we’re seeing mainstream acceptance with regulatory evolution. We’ve got policy reform at the state and at the federal level, and we also have potential rescheduling at the federal level. And I think that our consumers in Maryland are legitimizing this product with their dollars and with their commitment to supporting the sector.

How might that evolution impact the social equity aspect of the cannabis industry?
These sorts of changes can lead to better access to banking services and, most importantly, investment in the space, which will affect social equity applicants. I think the state is increasingly committed to addressing past disparities and I think they’re also committed to community reinvestment and sustainable practices. I envision a future where there is a robust cannabis market, and there are some transformations in Maryland, particularly that are marked by innovation and inclusivity and sustainability, and hopefully that will result in economic growth and positive community impact.

How can consumers use their dollars to support communities they care about?
First of all, people need to lead with safety. If people are going to be buying cannabis products, they should shop at a regulated legal cannabis dispensary that is required to test their products and have responsible production and manufacturing practices. For people who want to support niche communities, they should seek out the companies that are owned by the affinity groups that that they care about. Find the businesses that you know put community and purpose before profits. We would also encourage people to seek out minority-owned businesses, because those businesses need support.

What excites you about the future of The Forest?
One of the things that I’m really excited about is being in Canton. We love the community here. We’re involved in the Canton Community Association. We’re excited about first Thursdays. We’re doing community partnerships with Merritt Clubs and CareFirst to do community wellness events and yoga classes. If you put people at the forefront of your mission and your business, you’re going to be successful.