There’s no doubt that cannabis enthusiasts are known for their open-mindedness and willingness to explore new experiences. But with legalization, it’s getting harder to figure out how you’re going to buy your ganja.
When purchasing cannabis online, the regulations can be confusing to some. However, there are ways to ensure your transaction is safe.
Here are the steps you must follow to ensure you get your hands on a legitimate product.
Learn at your own pace
Not everyone’s an expert! So first-time consumers should exercise caution when buying cannabis online.
Given the many alternatives available today, knowing which products will work best for you and how you feel most comfortable consuming them is important.
If you’re a beginner, consider learning about THC and CBD. In a gist, THC causes the “high,” whereas CBD will cause you to relax. If you’re unsure, try cannabis in low doses first to discover how they affect you before going all in.
It’s also usually a good idea to contact a company if you have questions regarding their goods and store policies.
Cannabis Delivery Options in Ontario
Only the OCS is permitted by law to send cannabis through Canada Post. They can ship your order as long as they put it in unmarked, sealed, odor-proof packaging.
However, licensed dispensaries in your area also offer convenient online ordering. While most people will rely on Canada Post, local dispensaries do provide faster delivery options, usually same day delivery by car.
Make sure the person of legal age (who made the purchase) is present to accept the delivery of any cannabis items. The couriers must verify this with a government-issued photo ID that matches the credit card on file.
Consider the costs, is it too good to be true?
Legitimate online dispensaries have products priced the same as their brick-and-mortar shops.
If the deal looks too good, it probably is. Unlicensed online cannabis retailers often offer lower pricing to attract and trick customers.
Online cannabis dispensaries have lower overhead than authorized retailers, allowing for lower prices. To keep customers coming back, they may provide discounts and/or free products.
Before ordering, you can check the official AGCO website for authorized retailers.
Keep yourself safe and exercise caution online
Unfortunately, not all online dispensaries are legitimate, and many are unregulated. Buying from such store fronts could result in legal consequences in Canada. In addition, you could end up with a subpar product that could harm your health.
That is why, when buying cannabis online, keep these in mind:
- Make sure the online dispensary you’re considering is licensed in Canada.
- Check if their store exists and call the company with any questions.
- Check the website’s professionalism with a quick visit. Poor website design is an indication that the site’s creators were in a rush. Legitimate dispensaries will also be transparent with their business practices and data collection and usage policies.
- Look them up on social media. A shop with many followers but little engagement may have bought the followers to create the impression of popularity. Legitimate businesses routinely communicate with consumers on social media.
- Be wary of outrageous bargains. Keep away if the price is extremely low in comparison to other shops.
One important lesson to take away from this is the importance of taking precautions when buying cannabis online.
When shopping from an online dispensary, you must know what you are purchasing and what red flags to watch for to ensure that you are dealing with a legal business.
Shopping Locally Helps!
As we now know, you can get weed delivered by the OCS, not just dispensaries.
Look into your local dispensaries if you want to do your part for the local economy and community while enjoying the anonymity and ease of ordering cannabis online.
If it’s your first time, going to a recreational dispensary in person may be helpful. All your individual preferences and requirements can be taken into account by helpful and professional budtenders on site.