How to Buy Weed Online
Summary: There's a difference between "buying weed online" and "buying weed online legally:" you can only legally buy or order weed online if it's for in-store pickup or in-person delivery. Sending cannabis through the mail is a very high-risk practice; continue reading to avoid getting in trouble.
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Shopping for weed in virtual stores can be a confusing and intimidating process. You may be lost entirely on what's a reasonable price, how to know which strains are ideal, and more.
To help you out, here's a definitive guide on what to expect as you learn how to buy weed online.
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Characteristics of Quality Cannabis
First thing's first: When shopping for weed anywhere, whether online or in-person, you need to know how to identify high-quality flower or cannabis derivatives.
While you can look for visual cues as to where your weed falls on the quality scale, this isn't the most reliable method for buying on the web. Although you can look for the following characteristics in the product photos:
Bud structure: Generally, Indicas should be somewhat densely-packed. They're much tighter in structure than Sativas, which have more pistils (reproductive parts of the female flower) and are relatively fluffy.
Color: Ideally, buds should be green - not brown. Other colors to avoid include:
- Tan
- Red
- Yellow
- White
One major thing to look for when shopping for weed online is a lab test. Suppliers who are offering only the highest-quality strains should have no problem providing a Certificate of Analysis that outlines the flower's cannabinoids, terpenes, and safety, primarily.
You can get a few hints from the suppliers about cannabis's quality as well. For instance, the following terms will let you know straight away if your chosen product is top-tier:
- "Top-shelf"
- "Dank"
- "Loud"
- "Fire"
When you finally pick up your buds (or have them delivered), note whether the flower is dry or coated in resin. It should be slightly sticky, a rich green (can be light, dark, or in-between), and have a potent smell.
That's how you know it's good stuff!
Weed Prices & Weights
When learning how to buy weed online, one of the first things you'll need to get the hang of is the price tags. What's reasonable and what's not?
I always recommend doing some comparing and contrasting before diving into a purchase. This way, you won't end up buying the high-end stuff at an astronomical price when you could've gotten an equally tasty and useful strain at a fraction of the cost.
The most common weights you'll see when buying weed online include:
- 1g: Normally, these range from about $5-15.
- Note: This is the perfect amount for those looking to roll one or two joints.
- ⅛ oz (about 3.5g): You can reasonably expect these to be between $25-60, getting more expensive as you head eastward.
- Note: This is my go-to weight. I consider it to be very beginner-friendly and perfect for those who want to microdose over a long period or who smoke a few times a day but don't want to commit too much to a specific strain.
- ¼ oz (about 7g): The usual rate for this weight is about $50-80.
- ½ oz (14g): Expect to pay from $90 up to $160 for this amount of weed.
- 1 oz (28g): According to the Oxford Treatment Center, the price range for a full ounce of weed across the States ranges from $257-360. An extreme outlier is about $598 in D.C.
- Note: Unless you're planning on making homemade edibles or concentrates, there's really no reason for you to buy this much weed. Steer clear unless you've got big plans to cook or share with your friends.
Keep in mind that pricing will change depending on where you are in the country. For instance, if you're living in California, you might enjoy lower prices than somewhere in the midwest, where weed is harder to come by.
Branding will influence pricing, as well. Higher-end strains will definitely cost more than others, so be mindful of labels! The same goes for the strain.
Some are more potent than others, and you might see a rise in price with a higher THC concentration.
Risks of Buying Weed Online
The risks of buying weed online are pretty severe. To clarify: these consequences are unique to those who are attempting to engage in actual online marijuana purchases, absent of a pickup or in-person delivery.
If you choose to buy this way, you are essentially putting yourself on the line. As soon as your package reaches the hands of mail inspectors, any protections you had (such as "discreet packaging" or scent-blocking containers) go straight out the window.
Private shipping companies have the right to inspect your package no matter where you're sending it since federal law supersedes state law.
So, whether you're buying in California or Florida, the moment your weed goes postal, the legality of your purchase is out of your hands.
If you're caught with weed in your package, there are some pretty serious consequences, including jail time. Specifically, you might face the following convictions:
Specifically, you might face the following convictions:
These penalties may change depending on what state you're in.
What to Know About Buying Weed Online
First of all, if you're looking for guidance on how to buy weed online, please understand that you can only engage in a legal transaction if you are having it delivered to you locally (so it's still an in-person transaction) or you are going to pick it up yourself.
If there's a dispensary boasting full online shopping and "safe, discreet delivery," then steer clear! You do not want to get wrapped up in what they've got going on.
Even if the business is a legal dispensary, sending marijuana or products that contain marijuana through the mail is a federal crime. (Through the mail is the only way you can have your package delivered in a true online shopping experience.)
Part of the reason why an "online dispensary" needs to meet customers in-person is that they need to see ID for age verification purposes.
In most states, you must be at least 21 years old to legally consume cannabis. So, your distributor needs to verify that you're of legal age before selling you the product.
Another reason why you can't buy weed online is that banks have not been given too much flexibility in working with legal marijuana businesses. So, they can't really support online payments in the way that other retailers can.
Instead, dispensaries are forced to settle for cash payments or in-store purchases to keep their businesses running without the help of traditional banking or the convenience of credit card purchases.
Still, there are some ways you can get around these issues:
FAQ's
For more information on how to buy weed online, see the most commonly asked questions below.
An eighth of weed is usually about two or three nugs. It's equivalent to about 3.5 g.
The amount of weed you can expect in a dub will vary according to who you're buying from and what strain you're buying. Just like a "dime bag," a "dub" refers to the cost of the weed, which is $20.
A "dime" of weed costs just about $10. Understand that, because this name exclusively refers to the price, the amount of weed you'll get per dime bag will vary according to strain, brand, and other factors.
Weighing weed without using a scale is very difficult, and I would not recommend it. If you or your supplier is familiar with the specific strain you're buying, you may be able to eyeball it based on the size of the nugs.
Still, each strain differs in its flower, and some may be denser than others. There's no guarantee that you'll be getting the exact amount you're paying for.
You can use CBD both as a topical and by consuming it in oil, capsule, or another concentrate form.
Researchers have found that using CBD in these ways typically results in fewer side effects than standard medications, and is great for the treatment of psychological disorders and pain.Should You Buy Weed Online?
Despite how scary and intimidating a venture may seem, yes, you should absolutely buy weed online! I believe that buying weed online (especially in today's climate) is one of the safest and most convenient ways to purchase your herb.
If you're leaning more toward the CBD end of things, then head over to the Daily Deals for a user-friendly online shopping experience. Otherwise, be mindful of where you shop online for marijuana, and consult Weedmaps and other such resources first.Which CBD Oil is Right for You?
Take a quick quiz to find out!
Last Updated on December 30, 2020 by admin
