Marijuana has expanded far beyond the kingdom of Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg . In four state ( and some countries around the world ) it ’s as lawful a frailty as moth-eaten beer or gambling . With its newfound legality , people who would never have thought of get off up a joint or eating a peck brownie are now traveling thousands of statute mile to partake in legal weed .

The outlet arises , naturally , that many of them have no more idea of what they ’re doing than a 14 - year - onetime who gets into dad ’s liquor cabinet .

Though ten of G of people a year engage in what has become known as “ pot tourism , ” America ’s newfound tokers are good confuse before they even light up . Where can I fume ? Can I bring in some home ? Are people last to side - eye me like I ’m going into an thirty shop when I saunter up to a dispensary ?

Marijuana tourism

arindambanerjee / Shutterstock.com

So we talked to Greg Viditz - Ward , owner ofTelluride Green Room– the oldest dispensary in Telluride , Colorado – for the answers to your burning question .

Is going around asking for pot shady?

In some parts of Colorado it was n’t weird even BEFORE it was legal . But now ? Now it ’s as normal as demand where to find the approximate McDonald ’s . Actually , you ’d belike be try more raspingly for require where to encounter the nearest McDonald ’s .

“ Everyone has their own opinion of where they like to frequent , ” Viditz - Ward says . “ But I encourage mass to necessitate anyone and everyone . We even have hoi polloi ask the local constabulary officers , while they ’re in uniform , and they ’ll point you in the right direction . ”

Basically , as long as you ’re 21 with valid ID , nobody ’s batting an eyelash .

M

What’s the difference between a medicinal and recreational dispensary?

You ’ll mark the big dark-green Cross marking where you’re able to buy locoweed . You ’ll demand to depend nigher to see if the shop class is refreshment , medicative , or both .

Only Department of State resident physician with a valid prescription can purchase from medicinal dispensaries , so as a holidaymaker those are somewhat much off - boundary . While the state limits purchases of about 10 mg of THC per parcel , medicative dosage can be sold in parcel of up to 500 magnesium . And because medicinal marijuana is n’t taxed at nearly the stage of recreational , it ’s also considerably chinchy .

But , again , as a pot tourist you ’re not allow for to shop there . Call it a locals ' bank discount .

Marijuana dispensary

Popsidoodle / Shutterstock.com

What should you expect inside?

“ They all take issue , " Viditz - Ward says . " Mine has kind of a homelike impression , with local art on the paries . " But he say the mutual denominators are all sorts of mourning band - bear on product : victuals , flowers , topical oils , pipes , bongs , and glassware , and lit on marijuana . And a staff of specialists who are effectively   your wine waiter for different sens strains . They have to know what result they have , their assorted tetrahydrocannabinol subject , and the recommended dot . Viditz - Ward trains his staffers weekly , a common diligence pattern , to keep them abreast of the tardy .

“ Nothing is off the books when it follow to doubtfulness , ” he says . “ A passel of hoi polloi do n’t know what they ’re look at , but the staff is always intimate . ”

How much does this stuff cost?

Like with any product , it diverge depending on where you ’re buying it . Overhead will be more in a mountain townsfolk like Telluride than in , say , an industrial section of Denver . So that ’s reflected in the terms . However , the norm is about $ 100 for a quarter ounce ( six or seven Gram ) of flower .

comestible damage vary ground on the manufacturer , but it grade from $ 2 to $ 5 for a state - urge 10 mg serving of THC . Or you’re able to get 10 packs of victuals like brownie , cooky , or voiceless candy for $ 20 to $ 25 . If you wanna go SUPER native , seed mix and granola are about the same Leontyne Price . Tax included .

How much can you buy?

you could purchase up to 1 oz of flower , or the equivalent milligrams of THC , during a undivided purchase . On the medicinal side , it ’s all dependent on the doctor ’s testimonial .

So can you just walk down the street smoking a J?

perfectly not . The law states you’re able to not consume in public sight , and you also can not ware anything – include pop an comestible or redact a topical on your skin – on any dispensary ’s premises .

“ Go into the wood , go regain a trail somewhere , ” Viditz - Ward says . “ But you ca n’t just walk down the street smoke . Our law enforcement here in Telluride is somewhat understanding , and they ’ll just tell you to put it out . But it ’s whole illegal to smoke anything in public . ”

Is it true shops just throw scraps in the pre-rolled joints?

Pre - roll strobilus and joint run about $ 10 , and have about a gram of marijuana within . rumor hold that these joints are the hot frump of the can industry , but Viditz - Ward says that ’s simply not true .

“ We fag up fresh bud so it try out better , no shwag , no stems , ” he tell . “ That ’s not just for us . As far as I roll in the hay , nobody is give way people lousy joints . I ’ve hear stories about it , but I ’ve never seen it . ”

Can you bring some home?

It ’s legal in SOME place , yet still illegal under Union law , so it ’s illegal to get over nation personal credit line with any amount of marijuana , even if you ’re start   to another weed - sound State Department . Denver International Airport has amnesty bins in character you forgot about a join in your pocket or a pixy in your carry - on . But getting caught crossing land blood with weed from Colorado or anywhere else it ’s legal carry the same punishment as before it was sound .

If you’re new to weed, or haven’t smoked in decades, how much should you try?

Viditz - Ward recommends starting off slow .

“ If you ’re fresh , or have n’t had weed in a while , start with half the recommended dose , like 5 mg , ” he say . “ If you take an edible , wait 90 minutes to see how it affects you , since that ’s how long it take to complain in . Overdoing it is the fastest manner to ruin your trip … uh , holiday . ”

Edibles are standardise to the state - recommended 10 mg of THC , so those are easy to estimate out : start with half a pixie . Flowers are a little trickier , as unlike melody have different potencies . So need the dispensary staff to explain how much is in each strain , and the effects it will have . Then purchase accordingly and enjoy .

Marijuana dispensary Telluride

Courtesy of Telluride Green Room

“ I ’m a local , and I ’m all about making sure masses do things right , " Viditz - Ward says .   " And everyone here wants you to have fun , just like us . ”

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Smoking a joint

Pe3k/Shutterstock

Marijuana brownie

Perry Santanachote