Marijuana Dispensaries in Buffalo

Are there Marijuana Dispensaries in Buffalo?

No. Although recreational marijuana is legal in Buffalo through the New York MRTA (Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act), there are currently no adult-use retail dispensaries in the city.

Are there Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Buffalo?

Yes. Currently, only one medical marijuana dispensary operates in the city. Buffalo medical cannabis patients can find vape cartridges or pens, capsules, tablets, tinctures, oral sprays, oral powders, lozenges, whole-flower cannabis for vaporization, and transdermal patches at approved dispensaries. Seeds and immature cannabis plants for home cultivation are also available to certified patients or their caregivers at some medical cannabis dispensing locations.

Can You Buy Cannabis from Online Weed Dispensaries in Buffalo?

You may order medical weed online in Buffalo. However, the only authorized weed dispensary in the city does not currently offer home delivery for cannabis orders. You may pick up your order at the store. Note that with recreational cannabis having not gone on sale in the city, you cannot yet order adult-use cannabis online in Buffalo.

Visiting a Dispensary in Buffalo

Buffalo has no legal recreational cannabis dispensaries from which you may purchase recreational cannabis. However, you may visit approved medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. While visiting a medical cannabis dispensary, ensure you hold a valid New York medical marijuana card and cash to complete your medical marijuana purchases.

Buffalo Dispensary Laws

Adult-use marijuana dispensaries have not been approved in Buffalo, even though recreational cannabis has been legalized. Medical marijuana may be dispensed by authorized medical cannabis dispensaries in the city. The following laws apply to cannabis dispensaries in Buffalo:

• Recreational Cannabis dispensaries may not sell adult-use cannabis to persons under 21

• Medical cannabis dispensaries may not dispense medical marijuana to persons who are neither certified patients nor designated caregivers

• Medical cannabis dispensaries may not dispense an amount of cannabis greater than 30-day supplies to certified patients until the patients have exhausted all but the 7-day supplies provided pursuant to any previously dispensed medical marijuana products by approved medical marijuana dispensaries

• Medical marijuana dispensaries must ensure that medical marijuana product packaging may not be opened by dispensing facility staff

• Medical marijuana dispensaries may not be located on the same street or avenue and within 1,000 feet of a building occupied by a school, church, synagogue, or other places of worship

Recreational Laws in Buffalo

Adult-use cannabis became legal in Buffalo pursuant to the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act in 2021. The Act legalized the purchase, possession, and transportation of specific amounts of cannabis for adults aged 21 and older. The following are recreational cannabis laws in Buffalo:

• Adults 21 or older may possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of cannabis concentrates, such as oil and edibles

• Adults 21 or older may consume cannabis in private homes

• Adults of legal age may share cannabis without compensation with persons 21 or older under the specified possession limits. However, the sale of a commodity or service involved in the sharing is illegal

• Moving cannabis, including medical cannabis, across state lines, is illegal

• Growing cannabis plants at home prior to the promulgation of the OCM-issued regulations permitting the home cultivation of cannabis for recreational use is illegal

• Cannabis sale without a license is illegal

• It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis

• Cannabis consumption on federal lands is illegal

Although Buffalo adults of legal age may consume cannabis, employers in the city may still enforce cannabis use policies prohibiting impairments. New York does not require employers to commit any act that may cause them to lose federal funding or violate federal law. You should check your employer's policies and the New York State Department of Labor's Fact Sheet for further guidance.

Medical Cannabis Laws in Buffalo

Medical cannabis is legal in Buffalo for residents diagnosed with debilitating or life-threatening conditions who have completed their registrations under the New York Medical Cannabis Registry Program. The New York S7923, or the Compassionate Care Act, legalized medical marijuana statewide in 2014, permitting medical marijuana sales across New York jurisdictions.

Registered Buffalo medical cannabis patients may possess up to 60-day supplies of approved medical cannabis products at any time. Minors and incapacitated patients in the city may designate caregivers to help them administer medical cannabis under the Compassionate Care Act.

Note that a medical marijuana card will be required to obtain medical cannabis at Buffalo medical marijuana dispensaries. Medical cannabis consumption is illegal on the premises of approved dispensaries and may also not be consumed on federal lands or public places.

Registered Buffalo medical cannabis patients can legally grow cannabis indoors or outdoors at their homes or their caregivers' private residences. However, the cultivated plants may not be visible to the public, meaning the cultivation must be enclosed or behind gates, doors, fences, or other barriers. Buffalo landlords cannot penalize a patient or caregiver solely for engaging in medical marijuana activities as authorized. The State of New York prohibits landlords from including in their lease agreements prohibitions on medical cannabis use except in cases where doing so would cause them to lose federal benefits. Patients may cultivate up to 3 mature and 3 immature cannabis plants. Designated caregivers may serve up to four patients per time and grow up to six plants per certified patient but grow no more than 12 cannabis plants at home at any one time.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Buffalo

The first step to obtaining a medical marijuana card in Buffalo is to get a certification from a qualified healthcare professional. The professional must certify that medical cannabis is clinically appropriate for your condition. The New York State Department of Health maintains a non-exhaustive list of consenting medical cannabis program practitioners in the state on the website. You may use the list to find an approved healthcare practitioner to issue your medical cannabis certification in Buffalo.

Before issuing a medical cannabis certification, your attending physician will verify that you are a New York State resident with a life-threatening condition. Health conditions for which medical cannabis certifications may be issued include HIV/AIDS, cancer, chronic pain, cachexia, PTSD, neuropathies, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. You may provide your New York State driver's license or other New York State ID card as proof of residence. Temporary residents may use a utility bill, lease, hospital bill, or other documents approved by the state Department of Health as proof of residency.

After obtaining medical cannabis certification from a qualified healthcare practitioner, you may visit the MY.NY.gov website to create an account if you do not have a personal account. Subsequently:

• Log in to your profile on the MY.NY.gov site

• Select the "Health Applications" tab

• Select the "MCDMS (Medical Cannabis Data Management System)" link

• Select the "Start New Registration" button

• Follow the prompts to complete your registration

Upon the approval of your application, the New York State DOH will issue you a temporary medical marijuana identification card, which may be used with a government-issued photo ID card to purchase medical cannabis until you get the permanent card. Your permanent medical marijuana card should arrive in the mail in 1-2 weeks.

For more information on getting medical marijuana cards in Buffalo, contact the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) by emailing medical@ocm.ny.gov or calling (888) 626-5151.

Where is it Legal to Consume Cannabis in Buffalo?

It is permitted to consume cannabis in private residences or where tobacco consumption is allowed. However, you may not consume cannabis in motor vehicles, hookahs, or on federal properties. Note that landlords and employers may restrict the use of cannabis on their properties.

How to Buy Cannabis at a Buffalo Dispensary

You can buy cannabis at a Buffalo dispensary by visiting the physical address of the dispensing facility or ordering cannabis online. If you are unsure about how to find the physical addresses of dispensing facilities in the city, use the search term “cannabis dispensaries near me” on an online search engine. You will need a valid government-issued ID card to prove you are 21 or older to purchase adult-use marijuana from recreational cannabis dispensaries when they open in the city. If you want to buy medical cannabis, your medical marijuana ID card will be required.

The Average Price in Buffalo

A gram of pre-rolls in Buffalo costs between $15 and $18, while an 8th costs about $50.

Most Popular Strains in Buffalo

Some of the popular cannabis strains in Buffalo include:

• Gorilla Glue

• Super Silver Haze

• Do Si Dos

• Kosher Kush

Can You Smoke in Public in Buffalo?

No. Cannabis smoking in public places is not permitted in Buffalo. Public spaces include schools, sidewalks, parks, alleys, streets, playgrounds, or any area to which the public may be invited. Cannabis smoking in any vehicle is also illegal, whether parked or moving.

How Much Marijuana Can You Possess at Once in Buffalo?

Under the New York MRTA, Buffalo adults aged 21 or older may possess 24 grams of cannabis concentrates and 3 ounces of cannabis. Registered medical cannabis patients in the city may possess up to 60-day supplies of medical marijuana products.

Can I Ship Cannabis in Buffalo?

No. Shipping cannabis (medical or recreational) into Buffalo from another jurisdiction is prohibited as cannabis remains illegal federally.

Can I Order Cannabis Online in Buffalo?

You may order medical cannabis online in Buffalo. There are currently no dispensaries from which residents may purchase adult-use cannabis in the city.

Are there 24-hour Dispensaries in Buffalo?

There are currently no 24-hour dispensaries in the city.

Can Tourists Use Dispensaries in Buffalo?

Tourists cannot use recreational cannabis dispensaries in Buffalo as there are currently no recreational cannabis dispensaries in the city. Tourists can also not purchase medical cannabis in the city unless they have obtained New York State Department of Health-issued medical marijuana cards.

Do You Need ID for Dispensary in Buffalo?

Currently, it is illegal to purchase recreational weed in Buffalo, as weed dispensaries are not allowed to operate in the city. However, if you are a registered medical marijuana patient, you may purchase medical marijuana products by presenting your New York medical marijuana identification card.

Best Dispensaries in Buffalo

The Botanist is the only cannabis dispensary in Buffalo. It is a medical cannabis dispensary. There are currently no adult-use marijuana dispensaries in the city.

Do Dispensaries Scan your ID in Buffalo?

There are currently no approved adult-use marijuana dispensaries in Buffalo. However, visitors to the only medical marijuana dispensary in the city should expect to have a dispensary staff scan their IDs.

How Many Dispensaries are in Buffalo?

According to the New York Office of Cannabis Management website, only one cannabis dispensary currently operates in Buffalo. The dispensary only serves registered medical cannabis patients and their designated caregivers.

Can Dispensaries in Buffalo Take Credit Cards?

The only cannabis dispensary in Buffalo does not take credit cards. Registered medical marijuana patients and caregivers visiting the dispensary may pay using cash, debit card, or CanPay.

How Many Dispensaries Can You Visit in One Day?

You can currently only visit one dispensary in Buffalo. However, when more dispensaries open in the city, you may visit multiple locations in one day. Still, you will not be able to buy more cannabis than is permitted under New York law.

Do Dispensaries in Buffalo Take Health Insurance?

No. Health insurance policies do not typically cover marijuana purchases. Buffalo dispensaries do not accept health insurance.

Do Dispensaries in Buffalo Track How Much Weed You Buy?

Yes. Buffalo dispensaries are required to track weed purchases in their facilities.

Can You Enter a Dispensary in Buffalo at Age 18?

When recreational cannabis dispensaries open in the city, you must be 21 or older to be allowed within such facilities. Buffalo residents aged 18 and older may visit medical cannabis dispensaries to buy medical cannabis.

Where Can I Find the Buffalo Cannabis Regulator’s Contact Information?

The New York Office of Cannabis Management regulates cannabis activities in Buffalo and other New York State locations. You may contact the department by emailing info@ocm.ny.gov or calling (888) 626-5151. For more information on the agency's activities, visit the OCM website.

How Do I Report Illegal Cannabis Activities in Buffalo?

You may report illegal cannabis activities in Buffalo to the Buffalo Police Department or the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).