Going to a Dispensary for the First Time: A Guide to Etiquette, IDs and More

If you've found yourself feeling a little cannabis-curious with all the talk about it lately and aren't sure where to begin on your first visit to a dispensary, talking to a budtender is a good first step.

As cultural norms and viewpoints continue to evolve around cannabis, new levels of understanding – from alcohol substitution to simply relaxing – are becoming more common. We take pride in being a high-quality, local grower in Upstate New York.

As part of the Oneida Indian Nation, our mission and passion are rooted in harvesting from nature’s bounty and upholding a tradition of hospitality. Our highly trained dispensary staff is here to show you how both are accomplished.

Before You Go to the Dispensary

• Find a reputable source that you can trust: You can be confident that Verona Collective's budtenders are here for you and happy to help answer your questions.
• Bring a sense of discovery: Approach your visit with a sense of discovery – and intention.
• Set a cannabis goal: What are you hoping to feel or experience? Are you looking to unwind physically — maybe ease some tension or get a good night’s sleep? Or are you aiming for a mental boost like enhanced creativity, focus or an uplifted mood? Keep in mind that your individual experience can vary based on your personal body chemistry, consumption methods, and dosage. Especially if it's your first time, it’s typically best to start with low doses. Our staff is more than happy to discuss your specific needs, help you find a product that may be best suited for you and provide helpful advice in starting your cannabis journey.
• Do your research: You’ll find a lot of information on the Verona Collective website, a growing resource to learn more about our locally indoor-grown plants, including FAQs and a blog updated regularly. That said, if you are more comfortable having someone answer your questions in person, come visit us. We have trained and welcoming budtenders who are here to help.

Pro tip: The quickest and easiest way to get your order is to order ahead, but if you want to talk about your options before you place your order, come in and talk to a budtender.

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• Bring an ID: You may be flattered to get carded (hey, take it as a compliment!), but know that you will be asked for a valid physical government-issued ID. All guests must be 21 or older and have a valid ID. Passports are an accepted ID at dispensaries like Verona Collective. Here’s a full list of all valid, current IDs we accept:
  • Driver’s license
  • State-issued ID
  • Military ID
  • Passport card
  • Passport

Accepted payment methods can vary from dispensary to dispensary. Verona Collective accepts:

• Cash
• Debit card
• There’s an ATM available inside the dispensary for cash purchases.
• NOTE: Credit cards are not accepted at this time.

Navigating the Dispensary: What to Expect Inside

• Arrival and Check-in: Everyone 21 and over is welcome at our dispensaries with one of the valid IDs listed above. A welcoming budtender will ask to see your ID as you enter.
• Exploring the dispensary: Our retail stores offer our full range of products, and our budtenders are ready for your questions or orders.
• Interacting with budtenders: Budtenders tend to be cannabis enthusiasts who love to talk to people about their passion. Be honest about what you know and what questions you have.
• Tipping etiquette: A lot of people are curious if you’re supposed to tip budtenders. We do allow tipping and have tip jars available. Like other service-oriented professions, a tip of 10%-20% of the sale is appreciated, but not required. For small and quick transactions, a small tip of even $1 is a kind gesture. However, if your budtender helped you with a long personal consultation, it’s also a nice thank you to tip them $5-$10 for their assistance.
• Understanding Product Labels: You might learn some budding new words when looking at dispensary products. Here’s a quick overview of what some of them mean:
• Strain name & type: Includes names like indica (relaxing), sativa (stimulating), hybrids (mixes to achieve balanced effects).
• Terpene profile: For one, terpenes give plants their smell. Not just with cannabis plants, but also lavender, pine, citrus, etc. But besides their aromatic scents, terpenes are said to also have an additional effect when combined with THC. Here are some of the terpenes you can find in products at Verona Collective and some of the effects that cannabis users frequently claim to feel from them:
  • Alpha Pinene: Energizing effects, improved focus
  • Beta Caryophyllene: Calming, may ease symptoms of depression and anxiety
  • Beta Myrcene: Relaxing, may ease symptoms of insomnia
  • Bisabolol: Calming, soothing, relaxing
  • Humulene: Relaxing, soothing, may reduce appetite
  • Limonene: May ease symptoms of stress and anxiety,
  • Linalool: Calming, may ease symptoms of anxiety
  • Ocimene: Uplifting, mood-enhancing, energizing
  • Terpinolene: May ease symptoms of insomnia, relaxing

Our online store offers more information on what potential effects each product might deliver. For example, our Trim & Proper GG4 (I/H) currently shows the terpenes as:

• Beta Caryophyllene: 0.5738% Pepper: Sleepy
• Humulene: 0.5012% Hoppy: May reduce appetite

And even better, right below the terpene content, you’ll find the effects of the product as clickable buttons. Those buttons will show you more products matching your interest. Every harvest of a strain is slightly different, which is why we test each harvest and adjust the information accordingly.

• Effect: Relaxed, Sleepy, Hungry
• Making informed choices: While our budtenders have great knowledge of our products, be sure to do your own research into various cannabis products through trusted sources. Take your time to research how the products work and what their pros and cons are for your specific situation.

Meet a Verona Collective Budtender Video

 

 

 

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Asking the Right Questions: Get the Most Out of Your Visit

Rest assured, there are no silly questions, nor any that are too basic. Especially if you’re not as familiar with cannabis products, it’s always good to clarify or confirm things you know, or don’t know. Remember we're a local seed-to-sale grower, we invested in a state-of-the-art facility and we’re passionate about our people, products and purpose.

General Questions to Ask Your Budtender:

• “What product is right for me?” Then share your cannabis goal.
• "What strains or products would be best for a relaxing evening?"
• "Can you recommend a product with a specific flavor or aroma?"
• "What's the difference between flower, concentrates, and edibles?"
• “Should I start with flower, prerolls, vapes or edibles?”
• "Are there any ongoing promotions or deals I should be aware of?"

Verona Collective's Online Ordering and Pickup: Convenience at Your Fingertips

Seamless Online Experience

You can explore our full range of products online and place a preorder. Online, you can also filter your search by popular strains, such as indica, sativa, or hybrids. Besides flower, we also offer prerolls, vaporizers, edibles and a proud section of accessories and merch. Payments for online preorders must be made at the time of pickup.

Quick and Easy Pickup

Pickup at our dispensary is easy. Just bring your ID and pay for your online order when you pick up.Our Roots Run Deep in Upstate NY

Our locally grown products offer high quality product from a trusted source at an affordable price. And we know the entire chain of custody, from the grower to the budtender. Visit one of our dispensaries in person or order online. We look forward to serving you at Verona Collective.

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This product contains cannabis. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of reach of children. There may be health risks associated with the consumption of this product, including for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant. Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate heavy machinery while using this product.