A Beginner’s Guide to Massachusetts Recreational Cannabis

Home to some of the brightest minds and educational institutions in the country, Massachusetts is well-known for being a highly progressive and innovative state. From basketball and chocolate chip cookies to the telephone and the Facebook algorithm, many of our most practical and important inventions have come out of the great Commonwealth.

That’s why it’s no surprise that Massachusetts was one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis in 2016 – and we hardly wasted any time. The plant was regulated, taxed, and available for legal sales by licensed retailers by November 2018.

Although recreational cannabis dispensaries have been around for years, only recently have first-time consumers warmed up to the idea of incorporating cannabis into their lifestyle. 

If you’re a beginner to cannabis and looking to make your first trip to an adult-use dispensary in Massachusetts, we have the perfect guide for you.

 

Where and How to Buy Recreational Cannabis

Once legalization passed, both medical and recreational dispensaries became more common around the state. This means you might find that your nearest dispensary serves both medical patients and recreational consumers (adults over the age of 21), while some locations specialize in one or the other. 

For instance, Hennep is an adult-use dispensary, so we only require that you present a valid government-issued ID, such as your driver’s license or passport. Other stores offer in-store patient services and require customers to present a Massachusetts medical marijuana card.

The last thing you want is to show up to a dispensary, excited to explore new products, and be turned away because you’re not a qualifying medical patient. Be sure to do your research ahead of time to see if your nearest dispensary has adult-use menus available. 

Additionally, since the plant is not yet federally legal, many banks and credit card companies would rather not touch cannabis transactions with a ten-foot pole. In other words, you can only pay with cash or debit card at Massachusetts dispensaries. 

Most places will have an ATM in-store if you are in a pinch, but planning ahead is the best way to avoid unnecessary withdrawal fees. According to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s (CCC) data, we typically see that the average customer spends around $40 per purchase. You can also always view a dispensary’s online menu to get an idea of how much you might want to buy and be better prepared.

In summary, if you want to purchase recreational cannabis in Massachusetts, you’re going to need:

  • A valid, government-issued ID
  • Cash or debit card for your purchase

Massachusetts Legal Cannabis Restrictions You Should Know

Just because cannabis is legal now does not mean you can smoke it on the street or pop an edible in your car. Like alcohol, there are many legal restrictions around possession and purchase limits, transportation and travel, and more. 

Massachusetts legislation specifically prohibits:

  • Driving under the influence of cannabis
  • Operating a vehicle with an open container of any form of cannabis 
  • Consuming (e.g. smoking, vaping, or eating) cannabis in public or on federal land
  • Crossing state lines with cannabis via car, plane, train, boat, or any other mode of transportation
  • Possessing more than 10 ounces in your home

Violations can result in civil penalties such as fines of up to $500, forfeiture of cannabis, completion of drug awareness programs, and more. And that’s definitely not the kind of negative energy you need in your life.

Our team at Hennep recommends storing your cannabis purchase in the backseat or trunk of your vehicle after leaving the dispensary. Then, you can enjoy your new products at your destination, whether it is alone and in the comfort of your home or in any permissible indoor space with your 21+ friends and family.

 

First-Time Cannabis Use

Using cannabis for the first time can be daunting and exciting at the same time. After all, there are so many product options available to you. 

From THC, CBD, and hybrid products to tons of different product forms, you can look forward to finding numerous favorites. At Hennep, we have a range of product categories for you to explore, including:

  • Flower
  • Pre-Rolls
  • Vaporizers
  • Concentrates
  • Edibles
  • Tinctures

Our budtenders are highly knowledgeable about Hennep’s entire product inventory, which means you can ask just about any question you can think of to find a product that best suits your preferences and needs.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, that’s okay too! As recreational cannabis professionals, we can assure you that you are not the first person to come to us completely curious. 

From online resources, like our Blog, to in-store exploration and your own firsthand experience, we will guide you through it all until you find all your favorite products, flavors, and brands.

 

Shop Provincetown’s Premier Recreational Cannabis Dispensary

Adult-use cannabis in Massachusetts is bigger than ever before. With more and more dispensaries opening up every day, you can own that main character energy with a wealth of options right at your fingertips.

Our dispensary in Provincetown, MA is known for our community-first, easy-ordering, high-quality, customer-first approach. You can order Hennep online for pick-up and receive text updates with your order details or you can visit us in-store.

Shop Hennep, Provincetown’s premier adult-use cannabis dispensary, today.

Back to Blog