Support Licensed Cannabis
Purchasing Your Cannabis From a Licensed Seller Matters
Where you buy matters.
Before purchasing your cannabis from the unregulated market, consider the multiple, real benefits of purchasing your cannabis from a licensed dispensary.
Why Buy Legal?
Verifiable Quality
By law, all licensed sellers must produce a Certificate of Analysis (COA) by a qualified third-party lab to ensure products are free from harmful pesticides and contaminants, and that they accurately disclose THC and other cannabinoid amounts, crucial information for appropriate dosing.
Community Impact
The legal cannabis market by law complies with modern labor and environmental standards. In 2022, states collected more than $3.7 billion in cannabis tax revenue, the majority of which was distributed to local programs and initiatives, including community reinvestments meant to support those most impacted by the War on Drugs.
Social Equity Impact
Social equity programs only exist in the legal marketplace and cannot fulfill their promise when resources are diverted to the unlicensed market.
Combat Underage Use
To prevent cannabis use by young people, state laws limit the purchase of legal cannabis by regulated sellers to adults ages 21+. Unlicensed, unregulated cannabis has no such restrictions.
Buy Legal Facts
The 2019 “Vape Crisis” Produced Illnesses That Were Eventually Linked to the Unlicensed Market
Many cannabis consumers may remember that in 2019, there was a sudden emergence of vaping-related illnesses, with many people requiring hospitalization. The news was flooded with reports of people experiencing symptoms of shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. At first, these health scares were incorrectly attributed to vaping devices, but further investigation verified that the culprit of the outbreak cartridges containing vitamin E acetate – an ingredient that is banned by many legal states.
A recent report from the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that vaping illnesses were primarily related to cannabis vaporizers that were obtained through the unregulated market. The CDC theorized that unlicensed manufacturers “may have unknowingly adulterated their products with the ingredient or ingredients that caused the lung injuries.”
Cannabis From The Unlicensed Market Isn’t Tested: The Risk Of Consuming Contaminated Product Is Real
A distinct advantage of legalization is knowing that cannabis products sold by state licensed dispensaries are rigorously tested before ever reaching the shelf. By law, all licensed producers must check their products and produce a certificate of quality by a qualified third-party lab. Testing standards help to ensure that cannabis is free from harmful pesticides, hard metals, and other contaminants such as mold.
There's No Way to Confirm the Potency of Cannabis From the Unlicensed Market
As part of the testing process, licensed sellers provide reliable information about the active and inactive ingredients. When you buy from a state licensed dispensary, you are provided with an approved ingredient label that tells you exactly how much THC your cannabis contains as well as other important ingredients such as the type and amount of terpenes. State licensed cannabis dispensaries are staffed by cannabis connoisseurs who know what they’re selling because they love the product, they use the product, and they take pride in what they are selling and are building brand and customer loyalty.
Unlicensed Sellers Sometimes Try to Sell Name Brand Cannabis – It’s Not
Like most other consumer products – handbags, sneakers, watches, etc. – cannabis is not immune from counterfeiters. Some unlicensed sellers have been able to create packaging that looks a lot like the real thing, but it isn’t. Don’t be fooled; legitimate state licensed cannabis producers don’t sell their products through convenience stores or street vendors.
Worse, some illegal operators actually create and use packaging made to look like brand name candy or snack products, confusing consumers and greatly increasing the risk of underage use. This has become increasing prevalent in states that have decriminalized cannabis but have yet to install a regulatory framework for adult use.
