First pick: a state-licensed store with public batch COAs
Start with a store that lists its license number and posts a certificate of analysis (COA) for each batch. A COA shows potency and tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and mold. Without it, you cannot verify THC content or contaminant limits.
Check the state license registry. Enter the store name and match the address. A map listing alone does not prove a license. A licensed store pays state fees and follows age and testing rules. A gray-market shop does not.
Option 1: Medical dispensary
Pick this option if you have a state medical card. Age limits run 18 and older in some states, 21 and older in others. Medical menus often carry higher-dose products and tax breaks. Stock varies by state, so call before you drive.
Option 2: Adult-use retail store
Pick this option if you are 21 or older and your state licenses adult-use sales. Expect state tax on top of local tax. Wait times run 10 to 30 minutes on weekends. Ask for the batch COA at the counter.
Option 3: Online CBD store
Pick this option if you want CBD with 0.3% or less delta-9 THC by dry weight. Hemp at that cap can ship under federal law. A CBD store cannot sell cannabis flower above the cap. The FDA has not approved CBD for food or supplements. Read the COA before you buy.
What to check in 5 minutes
- License number on the state registry.
- Batch COA dated within 12 months, with pesticide, heavy metal, and microbial panels.
- THC mg per serving on the label, not just percent.
- Return policy in writing.
If the store cannot name its lab or show a COA, skip it. Drive 10 more minutes to a licensed shop.