How To Find The Best Recreational Dispensary In Toronto?
It seems like you can’t go anywhere in Toronto without encountering the smell of weed. Following federal legalization, are you really surprised though? Canadians and tourists alike are embracing the plant more than ever but there are more stores now, than ever before. Where’s the best place to go to shop for a great selection, safe products, and helpful advice? Knowing what to look for in a dispensary — and what to avoid — guides you as you look for the best spot in Toronto to shop for cannabis.
It’s easy to feel like you know a great dispensary when you walk into one, but breaking down some of the key characteristics that make you feel that way help identify a quality location. These seven things are must-haves in the best cannabis dispensaries.
Legal or Licensed Dispensaries
Is the store legit, legal, licensed?
When choosing a licensed dispensary, you’re shopping in a regulated environment with the assurance of product control, quality control and safety. All cannabis products sold in a licensed dispensary are Health Canada approved, contain Excise Stamps and have exact dosing guides available. This ensures that each and every product in stock at a legal cannabis store meets consumer safety standards and were created in a clean, sanitary location. All products also include the producers website and contact information in the event that a product doesn’t work (such as a Vape Cart) or if there is another issue that arises. These brands are very responsive and always put the customer first! It’s all about full transparency at every step of the process, from soil to shelf.
Every aspect of a licensed retail cannabis store goes through a series of safety checks to ensure both the retail staff and customers alike are safe while shopping and have proper information available for consuming. Licensed dispensaries are required to have enhanced security measures in place where they sell products that come straight from the brand being sold.
When you support a local, independent dispensary, such as Minerva, the money earned goes back directly to Canadians. From store staff to the Canadian farms growing the product. Independent retailers have been known to also work within the community, for example, Minerva hosts regular events in store and raises funds for local Food Banks and collaborates with local restaurants and businesses.
Great Dispensaries Stock Great Products
Gone are the days when the choices for cannabis were limited to whatever the plug had on hand. The best recreational dispensaries in Toronto have a great selection to choose from, with products to suit every mood, occasion and price point.
An easy-to-navigate online menu enables browsing by product type, brand, THC content, and more. Bonus points if each product listing includes information like cannabinoid content, terpene profile, product photos and growing locations! Check out what’s in stock before heading in or ordering cannabis products for delivery.
Helpful Budtenders To Lead The Way
Friendly, knowledgable budtenders are the driving force behind a committed dispensary to guiding you through the best possible experience. If you’re unsure about what to expect from a product, need recommendations, or are curious about how a certain device works, the Budtender should be readily available to support you with a smile. The very best dispensaries have proactive staff that will greet you as you come in and ask if they can help you with anything.
Your Experience Matters
When you’re purchasing cannabis it shouldn’t be just a transaction — it can be deeply personal or a way to unwind. To that end, the best dispensaries strive to create a physical space that inspires and uplifts you as you explore the store or menu or when you are speaking with a Budtender. Carefully curated spaces are designed to best help you along your journey at every touchpoint. It’s important to pay attention to the details shaping your experience, from education to signage and ease of menu use. At places like Minerva Cannabis, the experience is at the forefront of your visit and you’re guided through steps to ensure you make the right decisions.
Simplicity in Reading Menus and Ordering
Regardless of the type of shopper you are, the store you’re visiting should cater to the type of experience you want to have. What if you don’t want to leave your house at all to shop? What if you don’t want to talk to anyone when you’re at the store?
With so many factors, stores like Minerva were built with multiple types of shoppers in mind and the best dispensaries offer several ordering options that provide choice and ease of use for anyone who walks in the door (or visits the website). Make sure to keep an eye out for a dispensary that offers:
Online ordering for in-store pickup
In-store kiosk ordering for quick stops
Online order for delivery to your home
In-store browsing, unguided or through a helpful Budtender
Quick Service Should Be Expected
When you know what you want to buy and place your order, it shouldn’t take very long to fulfill it. Dispensaries aren’t making you food and cooking it – so quick service is key. The best dispensaries will have enough staff to get your products, complete your transaction, and get you back to your day (and your sesh) in no time.
Location Is Key!
In many cities, dispensaries are off the beaten path quite literally, tucked away in industrial parks and on the outskirts of town. But this isn’t true when talking about Toronto, where dispensaries are found sandwiched between eateries, boutiques and sometimes situated next to each other. Look for dispensaries near subway stops that make stopping in after work, on your lunch break, or on the way to spend a relaxing day in the city a cinch – like Minerva, that is located between Bathurst Station & Dupont Station and is directly located on one of Toronto’s most frequent Bus Routes, the 7 Bus on Bathurst.
