Guide
Your first visit to an LA dispensary.
What to bring, what happens at the door, how the menu works, how to pay and what to do after. Ten minutes here saves you every awkward moment at the counter.
Updated October 2026
Your pre-visit checklist
Tick these off before you leave. Your progress saves on this device.
Ready to go?
0 of 7 readyWhat happens at the door
Every licensed shop checks ID before you reach the sales floor. Expect a front desk or a security check where staff scan or look at your ID. The ID has to be valid and not expired. A driver's license, state ID or passport works.
Adults 18 and older can shop for medical cannabis with a physician's recommendation. Everyone else needs to be 21 or older.
Talking to the budtender
The person behind the counter is called a budtender. Tell them it is your first visit, what kind of experience you are after and how you plan to use it. Ask about price per gram, what just came in and what other customers buy again.
Budtenders are not doctors. If you have a health question, ask a doctor.
Paying and taxes
Most shops take cash and many take debit. Card rules vary, and many shops have an ATM inside. The shelf price is not what you pay: California adds a 15% excise tax, then sales tax goes on top. In the City of Los Angeles sales tax is 10.25%.
Before you pay, ask about first-time customer offers. Use the tax calculator to see your real total.
After you leave
Your products come sealed. Keep them that way in the car, or put them in the trunk. An open container in a vehicle is illegal, and so is driving under the influence.
Use cannabis on private property where the owner allows it, or at a licensed consumption lounge. Keep it in child-resistant packaging, away from kids and pets.
First visit FAQ
What do I need to bring to a dispensary in Los Angeles?
A valid government-issued photo ID that shows you are 21 or older, and cash or a debit card. Card rules vary by shop.
Can I just walk in without an appointment?
Yes. Most shops check your ID at the door and let you in. Some have a short line at busy times. Order ahead pickup can skip it.
What is an eighth?
An eighth of an ounce, or 3.5 grams. It is the most common flower size on LA menus.
Is it rude to ask a lot of questions?
No. Budtenders answer questions all day. Telling them it is your first visit helps them help you.
Can I use cannabis right after I buy it?
Not in public, not in the car and not in most hotel rooms. Use it on private property where the owner allows it, or at a licensed consumption lounge.
Keep going
Related guides
Los Angeles cannabis laws
Age, limits, where you can use it, cars, hotels and travel. Plus a 12 question quiz.
Tax calculator
See what you really pay at the register in LA, West Hollywood or Culver City.
Products explained
Flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, edibles, drinks, tinctures and topicals.