Buying cannabis online is a great way to avoid the crowds, get your product delivered right to your door, and save money. But buying weed on the internet can be difficult for beginners. There are so many options out there, it’s hard to know where to start.
We’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about how to buy cannabis online in 2020.
How to Buy Weed
There are two types of sites when it comes to buying marijuana: brick-and-mortar stores and mail order websites. A lot of people assume that all of these sites are the same because they are both legal, but that’s not necessarily true.
Mail order sites have specific regulations in place that brick-and-mortar stores don’t. Most of the time, if you purchase from a store, your shipment will arrive within five days or so. Mail order sites don’t have the same timeline. Some even take up to 30 days to ship, which means you could be waiting months before getting your weed.
There are many online places you can buy weed. Some of the most popular include websites like Leafly and Weedmaps, which offer listings of dispensaries in your area. You can also find online retailers that sell cannabis products, like CBD oil and edibles.
If you want to buy cannabis online, you should start with one of these two types of websites first. We’ll go into more detail below, but here are some general guidelines:
- Check the seller’s reputation before purchasing from them.
- Don’t buy from someone who isn’t licensed by the state where you live.
- Be sure to read each site’s terms of service carefully.
- Make sure you understand what it means to “buy local” when using a mail order website.
Brick-And-Mortar Stores
You may think that all brick-and-mortar stores are created equal, but they aren’t. They all must follow certain rules in order to sell their products legally. If you try to buy marijuana anywhere else, you risk being arrested.
Here are a few things you should know about brick-and-mortar shops:
They must meet certain health standards, such as having an airtight seal, keeping lighting away from the product, and ensuring that no insects enter the room.
They must be open daily during business hours (usually 10 am – 7 pm).
They must keep records of every transaction, including the ID number of the buyer, name, address, phone number, and payment method used.
They must send out the product in a timely manner, unless it’s an emergency situation.
When buying weed from a brick-and-mortar store, you probably won’t have to wait very long at all. The majority of states allow you to walk into any dispensary and buy the drug immediately.
Mail Order Sites
The Difference Between Mail Order Sites and Local Dispensaries
Now we come to the most important part of this guide: How to buy marijuana online. Both brick-and-mortar and mail order sites offer a variety of ways to buy cannabis. Let’s break down exactly what you can expect.
First, let’s talk about the differences between mail order and brick-and-mortar dispensaries. These two methods of delivery are quite different in a lot of ways, which is why you need to pay attention to details. Brick-and-mortar stores usually only sell flower, while mail order sites offer different strains.
For example, if you want a strain that’s high in THC, you might choose the Blue Dream or Green Crack. But if you prefer a strain that has a lower amount of THC, you could opt for something like Charlotte’s Web or Bubba Kush instead. You also have the option of choosing a strain based on its CBD content, which helps relieve pain without getting you too stoned.
Both brick-and-mortar and mail order sites tend to have a similar selection of pot strains available. However, they also differ in other ways. Let’s look at some of those differences now.
Shipping Time
One of the biggest differences between mail order and brick-and-mortar stores is shipping time. When ordering from a brick-and-mortar store, you can normally expect your weed to arrive in less than 5 days. This is not always the case for mail orders, however. While many companies promise “same day” deliveries, some do take longer.
Quality
Another big difference between mail order and brick-and-mortar locations is quality. Mail order sites tend to offer higher quality weed than brick-and-mortars. For example, many mail order sites provide free samples of their products to give you a better idea of how potent the weed is going to be.
Delivery Method
This is another area where brick-and-mortar and mail order sites differ. Brick-and-mortar dispensaries typically offer an in-store delivery option. In fact, you can find out in advance which locations deliver to your home.
On the other hand, mail order sites often use couriers and third parties to ship your goods. This allows them to ship more quickly, but it also leaves you vulnerable to theft along the way.
Product Availability
Most mail order sites will only sell flower. So if you want edibles, concentrates, or topical creams, you’re out of luck. That said, some sites will allow you to order other kinds of cannabis products, just not as easily.
Customer Service
Mail order sites are notorious for poor customer service. Many of them just ship whatever they’re asked for, whether it’s a couple ounces of bud or several pounds of hash oil.
In contrast, brick-and-mortar stores pride themselves on excellent customer service. They’ll answer questions and help you set up an appointment to pick up your weed. It doesn’t matter if you’re ordering a small amount or a large quantity — they’ll make sure that you receive exactly what you ordered.
Price
Lastly, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention price. Brick-and-mortar stores tend to charge more per gram than mail order outlets. And the prices can vary widely depending on the location and season.
But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Our top picks for the best mail order sites are going to show you where to buy weed from the lowest cost per gram.
