Can you enter a dispensary at age 18?

If you’re thinking about visiting a cannabis dispensary, it’s important to understand the rules around age requirements for entry. However, the legal age can vary based on where you live and whether you have a medical cannabis card.

Here’s what to know before you go to a dispensary.

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How old do you have to be to go into a dispensary?

Each state has laws that decide how old you must be to enter a dispensary.

In most states, people who have a medical cannabis card can enter a medical dispensary at age 18. People who don’t have a medical cannabis card must be at least 21 years old to enter a recreational dispensary.

However, certain states have different sets of rules, so it’s important to check your state’s laws before you go.

Medical cardholders

In most states, people who have a medical cannabis card must be at least 18 years old to enter and make purchases from a medical dispensary.

However, some states have exceptions. For example, North Dakota and Alabama laws require you to be at least 19 years old to enter a dispensary with a medical card. And in Kentucky, you have to be over 21 to purchase certain products, like vapes.

Even as a cardholder, it’s important to check your state’s requirements before you go to a dispensary.

Recreational users

In every state that has legalized recreational cannabis, residents must be at least 21 years old to enter and purchase from a recreational dispensary.

However, rules for visitors and tourists vary by state, so always check local regulations before you go.

Can minors access medical cannabis from a dispensary?

No state allows minors to enter a dispensary, even if they are with a parent or legal guardian.

However, in most states, minors who have a qualifying health condition can access medical cannabis through a state-registered caregiver.

A caregiver is an adult who is authorized by their state to purchase cannabis on behalf of a medical patient. Both the caregiver and the minor must apply to their state’s medical cannabis program.

Even if they have a registered caregiver, minors cannot enter a dispensary. Only the caregiver is allowed in on the minor’s behalf. 

How old do you have to be to buy CBD?

Hemp-derived CBD products can legally be sold outside of dispensaries because hemp, unlike cannabis, is legal under federal law due to its low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.

There is no federal age limit for buying CBD products, so each state sets its own rules. In most states, including Oregon, Florida, and California, you must be at least 21 to buy hemp-derived CBD for consumption.

That said, CBD products sold outside of licensed dispensaries are not as regulated as cannabis products sold in dispensaries. As a result, the quality and safety of hemp-derived CBD products can vary widely.

To ensure you’re getting the most reliable products, it’s best to purchase from licensed dispensaries.

What to know before you enter a dispensary

Even if you meet the age requirement, you cannot legally enter a dispensary without showing your valid, state-issued photo ID.

Many dispensaries have different rules for medical cannabis cardholders, often allowing them to enter at a younger age than recreational customers.

If you have a medical card, bring it with you to prove that you are eligible to enter and make purchases.

The bottom line: The legal age to enter a dispensary varies

The legal age to enter a cannabis dispensary can vary between states. In general, medical cardholders can enter and make purchases at a younger age compared to recreational users. Check your state’s requirements before you go to a dispensary.

If you want to access dispensaries at a younger age, consider applying for a state-issued medical cannabis card. You can schedule an appointment with Leafwell to start the process.

Get your medical marijuana card

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