COFFEE SHOP VS. CANNABIS DISPENSARY: HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

Thanks to the legalisation of cannabis, more and more people are interested in cannabis products and which ones they can buy without breaking the law. In more and more states it is possible to buy cannabis without breaking the law. In these countries, you can simply walk into a dispensary or coffee shop and buy whatever you like. However, a coffee shop and a cannabis dispensary are not the same thing. In this article we will explain the differences between the two main types of cannabis shops.

What are coffee shops?

Coffee shops are a Dutch unique and one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Netherlands. In the 1970s, the Dutch government introduced new legislation that decriminalised the sale, purchase, possession and consumption of cannabis. As a result, the now world-famous Dutch coffee shops were established over time.

These establishments offer common coffee shop items such as coffee, pastries and sandwiches. However, in addition, these businesses also sell cannabis and cannabis products.

Most of Amsterdam's coffee shops are located in the Red Light District and cater mainly to tourists. They are characterised by signs with green and white lettering. However, in the more remote parts of the city it is of course possible to find other hidden coffee shops that are slightly more affordable.

Don't forget that Dutch coffee shops fall into the so-called grey zone, where it is legal to buy and consume marijuana, but you can't bring your own or leave the place with it. Technically, it is illegal to sell and consume marijuana in the Netherlands. Coffee shops have a licence that allows them to operate in this area.

Coffee shops are therefore cafés with a licence to sell cannabis and cannabis products. Thus, you will not find any cannabis dispensary in the Netherlands that sells cannabis without food and drinks.

What are cannabis dispensaries?

Cannabis dispensaries emerged in American culture as a result of the legalisation of the plant in several American states. In the US, dispensaries are regulated by local governments and are allowed to sell a set amount of cannabis products based on local laws. Cannabis dispensaries are outlets that exist solely for the purpose of selling cannabis and cannabis products. These outlets are licensed for this purpose.

The specific definition of dispensaries in the law and how they operate vary from state to state. Some may only sell cannabis to persons with a medical certificate, while others may sell cannabis to anyone of a specified age.
However, compared to Dutch coffee shops, dispensaries have several different regulations and a different range of products. In American cannabis dispensaries you will find a variety of different cannabis products, including oils, capsules, tinctures, edibles and also plenty of dried flowers. The main difference between dispensaries and coffee shops is that dispensaries do not allow in-store consumption, while coffee shops do.

Main differences between coffee shops and cannabis dispensaries

While there are some similarities between coffee shops and dispensaries, there are also significant differences.

The range of

Dispensaries have more cannabis strains and products on offer. You are likely to find oils, capsules, crystals, cosmetics, edibles and more. Coffee shops, on the other hand, are likely to have a limited selection and offer.

Some dispensaries even offer clones for sale. There is no such option in Dutch coffee shops. The amount of cannabis you can buy in a dispensary varies depending on the state regulations.

Price

Prices in coffee shops and dispensaries can vary considerably. However, you are likely to see a higher price range in coffee shops. This is because coffee shops are primarily aimed at tourists, and this means touristy or high prices. However, you may find other hidden coffee shops in remote parts of the city where prices are a little more affordable.

Staff

Coffee shops are mainly aimed at holiday shoppers. They are social places with seating that are not licensed to provide health services.

Coffee shops differ from coffee shops in the services they provide. This is because they were established for customers who needed cannabis for medical reasons. Cannabis dispensaries are staffed by budtenders who know the products on offer and can advise customers on which product to choose.

Availability

Most of Amsterdam's coffee shops are located in the Red Light District and cater mainly to tourists. However, there are other, less touristy coffee shops located throughout the city. In most of the Netherlands, anyone over the age of 18 can enter a coffee shop and try cannabis products.

With regard to cannabis dispensaries, in the US, their operations are subject to local governments, which may set specific quantities of cannabis and cannabis products to be sold , depending on local laws. You must be of legal age to buy cannabis from a dispensary. You must present your ID upon arrival. Once you have confirmed your age, you will be able to choose products from the range on offer.

Coffee shops vs. cannabis dispensaries

The following table shows the differences between coffee shops and cannabis dispensaries:

If you live in a state where the sale of cannabis is allowed, using these establishments is the best way for most people to get cannabis. In general, it cannot be said that one establishment is better than another. It just depends on what kind of experience you expect and what kind of product you wish to buy.

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