phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES FEB 10TH– FEB 16TH, 2022 State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | Newbie Brothers A guide for first-timers on how to navigate a dispensary. BY ELINOR TUTORA F rom the unassuming exteriors of marijuana dispensaries, it’s hard for newcomers to imagine the ambiance inside can be welcoming or even chill. Plus, of course, it’s hard to envision the wide range of products that awaits. The experience can be overwhelming for a newbie, who doesn’t know what to expect. Displays showcase a dizzying array of products, ranging from marijuana buds, concentrates, and edibles to cartridges, paraphernalia, and more. Anyone unfamiliar with cannabis may not know where to start. Rob Lemberes, chief operations officer at The Flower Shop, which is currently re- modeling its three stores in east Phoenix, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, offered some ideas. “Don’t be afraid to do a little bit of research and look at what you think you want,” Lemberes said, adding it helps when customers enter with an idea of what they are looking for. Also, don’t feel rushed just because there’s a line, he explained. Take time to get the most out of being in the store. Many first-time dispensary customers are people turning 21, people such as Emily Fehrenbach. Since her recent milestone birthday, she has been to Territory Dispensary [now ZenLeaf] in Chandler three times. Like others reaching legal age, she had no expe- rience with cannabis products. Her main intention was relaxation. “The first time, I didn’t know what I was doing and I didn’t know what to get. So I just went up and talked to the guy and told him what I was looking for,” she said. “It was a good experience overall.” Dispensaries can carry a wide variety of products, some more unusual than others. “I was shocked at how many different selections I could choose from. They had a lot of products ranging in the strength of the strain. That was interesting to me,” Fehrenbach said. After her few trips, Fehrenbach explained she will definitely be going back and is interested in going to different dispensaries. Theo Ash, who turned 21 last fall, has yet to go to a dispensary, mainly because he hasn’t felt the need. “If I was dealing with a chronic injury or just stress, and I got into cannabis, obviously I would need a place to start,” Ash said. “I wouldn’t really know what to do or what I needed to get.” He said the dispensary, along with some internet research, is a good place to start. Most marijuana dispensaries are cash- only, so look up the prices of potential products before you go and tack on the state excise tax of 16 percent for recre- ational customers. Some larger dispensa- ries do accept debit cards with an extra fee and many dispensaries have ATMs in- doors, which also add a processing charge. Don’t forget your identification card. A security guard out front and the bud- tender at the counter need to verify that you are old enough to legally purchase the products. You have to be at least 21. Some dispensaries have different sections of the store for medical patients and recre- ational sales. You can skip the line by ordering ahead. One hump to get over, if you are unfa- miliar with products and lingo, is under- standing what things are. “Getting started on things is the tough- est part because you can look like an idiot. That’s true for many hobbies,” Ash said. “It would be more comfortable if I went in [to the dispensary] and I just sounded like I knew exactly what I was talking about. I would prefer that but it’s just not a realistic starting place.” Lingo can range from indica, sativa, and hybrid when talking about types of strains, to shatter, crumble, wax and dabs, in refer- ence to cannabis concentrate. Then there are all the accessories that go with differ- ent products such as cones, dab rigs (for concentrates), bongs, and various electric vaporizers. This can be overwhelming for anyone unfamiliar, so here are some of the more common terms a newbie might hear. Flower/ Bud: What most people think of when they think of weed. The bud of the plant is ground up and smoked. Edibles: THC-infused food or drink items. Commonly gummies, chocolates, and brownies are available, but products like soda and savory foods can be found as well. Concentrates: The extracted cannabi- noids and terpenes from the plant. Canna- binoids are psychoactive ingredients, while terpenes give different strings different smells or tastes. Concentrates can come in different textures and forms—some need to be heated for consumption while others don’t. The kind that does not need heat can be infused into edibles. Cartridges: Another form of concen- trate that is used with battery-powered vaporizers. They work like e-cigarettes. Indica: An overarching classifi- >> p 45 43
