What to Know Before Purchasing Cannabis Products

With so much information in the public space about cannabis, CBD, and associated products, it’s not always easy to know what to look for when you decide to make a cannabis-related purchase for the first time.

You might assume that all businesses and products are of equal reputation and quality, but that’s unlikely to be the case. Before venturing into your local cannabis shop, take a moment to consider the following information for the benefit of your health.

Reputation

The unfortunate reality is that not all cannabis stores offer the same products or service levels. Some are renowned for their superior customer service and high-quality products, but it’s not always easy to identify those businesses from the store frontage alone.

Before visiting a store or their website, search for a particular business on the internet to see if you can find out more about it. Read reviews and discover if the people taking the time to publish a review are happy with the service they received and the quality of the products.

The Products Available

Every store is different, which means the product variety may also differ from one store to the next. Identify your needs and understand what you’re looking for to narrow down your potential shopping options.

For example, if you’re dealing with a significant amount of stress, you might be looking for something with a particular ingredient balance to assist with that. Alternatively, you might be searching for something easy to consume, ideal for integrating into food, or inconspicuous. There are numerous options on the market, such as flower, pre-rolls, vaporizers, edibles, topicals, and concentrates.

Purchasing Convenience

It never hurts to be aware of how easy it is to purchase cannabis products before you start shopping. Some stores are open seven days a week until late at night to cater to those who work irregular hours, while others offer convenient delivery services for when you aren’t able to visit a business in person.

You may even discover that you’re able to select the products you want online, with a store assistant packaging them up, ready for you to collect them the next time you’re passing by.

Product Safety

Product safety is one of the most crucial considerations when purchasing cannabis products as a beginner or seasoned shopper. It’s essential to be aware of the ingredients within each product, the THC volume, and whether it has a certificate of analysis (COA). Knowing the THC volume is especially important for legal reasons since many states, like Virginia, consider CBD oils that contain up to 10 mg of THC legal. And this also comes with a preference to get a Virginia medical marijuana card for maximum safety.  

If you’re purchasing a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD product, take note of the compounds and cannabinoids listed, such as CBDA, CBN, CBG, and CBC.

Your Goals

The reasons why you’re purchasing cannabis products may play a part in the decision-making process for what you choose and where you shop. You might be looking for something fast, easy, and comfortable to consume, such as gummies or oil. Alternatively, you might want something to assist with muscle and joint pain after physical activity, such as a balm or lotion.

Cannabis store assistants can provide you with a wealth of information when you visit a location for the first time, but there’s no harm in educating yourself before consuming cannabis products. The information above may help you make an informed choice about the products you put in your body.

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