If you are looking for weed in New York there are a lot of ways you can find it. With marijuana being decriminalized in New York there is a lot less to worry about but for those who want to go the legal route we have narrowed down the top 5 cannabis dispensaries in NYC.

New York’s drug laws are complex and in flux (so read on till the end!). At the time of writing, weed is technically only legal medically and only if you meet a fairly stringent list of ailments like chronic pain or cancer.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation into law amending marijuana possession penalties and establishing automatic expungement of prior, low-level cannabis convictions. which took effect August 28, 2019.

The law forbids the smoking of cannabis by patients whether THC or CBD based, but does not explicitly ban patients from accessing cannabis in its dried flower form; however, the Commissioner must approve all forms of medical cannabis available to patients. So, no flower.

Consequently, the best dispensaries in New York are currently not selling flower (but keep reading…). Instead, there are topicals, tinctures, vape cartridges, capsules, edibles and anything else not smoked.

Is There Recreational Weed in New York?

The short answer is no. But it has been greatly decriminalized. Fines are broken into several categories by the ounce (up to two ounces get no jail time and penalties range from $50 to $200 and go up from there, with jail time).

As far as recreational concentrates, there are separate punishments from smoking flower infractions. Possession of any amount of Concentrated Cannabis up to one-fourth of an ounce is a class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $1000. The fines and imprisonment increase from there.

That being said, the 2020 pandemic has created a fiscal nightmare for states and Governor Cuomo, who has tried to get legalization legislation through previously. Now the governor thinks freeing cannabis is a main way to encourage economic recovery.

420 DC remembers when flower bloomed in the five boroughs and has taken that into consideration for these reviews. We are anticipating the return of smoking herb when the government gets it right and re-legalizes all forms of hemp and cannabis.

Top 5 NYC Marijuana Dispensaries

Picking a favorite dispensary is personal. But there are some objective criteria used by 420 DC to determine our picks. We tried to be fair and choose dispensaries throughout the five boroughs but like everything else in the city, you go where there’s space.

FP Wellness Dispensary NYC (Manhattan)

2 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016
(212) 689-8676

Operating Hours for PICKUP
Tuesday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

PANDEMIC PROTOCOL: virtual or phone consultation with the pharmacist for new patients. After the consult, scheduled pickup time at the store.

PREVIOUS PROTOCOL: Customers are greeted warmly by security and inside staff who seem knowledgeable, friendly and extraordinarily customer-centric. The store is small but well comfortably decorated with several squashy armchairs for a cozy environment.

A first visit receives a highly-personalized, private, Cannabis consultation with a trained Pharmacist. Fp Wellness Dispensary offers excellent, consistent products with competitive prices. Many reviewers swear by the standards set by Fp Wellness Dispensary.

The dispensary carries vape cartridges; capsules & tablets; tinctures & sprays; lozenges, chewables and micro-tablets; CBD wellness; topicals & lotions; powder and suppositories. Vaginal and anal? I’ll let you ask…

Their location is near Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY, USA and serves patients from nearby Koreatown, Kips Bay, Murray Hill, Midtown West, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, the Garment District and Sutton place. Located nearby Flatiron and close to Gramercy Square Park.

Returning patients place orders ahead of time for pickup. Online ordering is preferred but can take phone calls at the dispensary during regular business hours.

The Botanist

138-72 Queens Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435 (Queens: near the train station)
(917) 810-4540

Operating Hours for PICKUP:
Mondays & Wednesdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Botanist is a 420 DC pic for its consistent products, knowledgeable and helpful staff with a patient-centered approach, professional storefront and delivery options. You must already have a NY MMJ card to become a registered patient.

PANDEMIC PROTOCOL: The Botanist locations are currently open using proactive steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. The Botanist follows the recommended guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the NY Department of Health, under the close supervision of the Botanist’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Corey Burchman.

Previously they had been order online, pickup and delivery only.

They urge customers to visit Shopbotanist.com, Facebook and Instagram for the latest information or email [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Registered patients can order online at Leafly or I Heart Jane, via the store’s phone (917) 810-4540 or email ([email protected]).
Registered patients within a 30 mile radius of the Queens location can order remotely and have it delivered on either Monday or Wednesday.

Home Delivery:

Deliveries Monday & Wednesday; 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. and a patient or caregiver must be present at time of delivery.
$100 min. order and a $20 fee (waived on orders over $200, after discounts).
Delivery area: 30 mile radius around The Botanist’s Queens location.
Payment Methods: Cash/Debit card on delivery or CanPay through the website.

PREVIOUS PROTOCOL: Every patient and their registered caregivers complete an in-depth consultation with on-site pharmacists. They are then referred to dispensary technicians who help find the proper products for their individual needs.

Staff is passionate about optimal therapeutic relief. Safe, consistent products. Products can be ordered online for in-store pick or delivered for a fee.

The Botanist current product selection includes vape cartridges, edibles, topicals and tinctures.

Curaleaf NY Queens

10718 70th Rd, Queens, NY 11375
(646) 968-2872 • [email protected]

Website: https://shop-foresthillsny.curaleaf.com/

Operating Hours:
Mondays – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Curaleaf gets a nod from 420 DC for their bright & inviting storefront, affordable & effective product, killer customer service, safe & secure environment and their hours. Staff pharmacists make you feel at home, conducting in-depth initial consultations and are always available to answer questions.

New patients receive 30% off purchases. Returning customers can take advantage of the Curaleaf rewards program.

The vibe is always

Products include vape cartridges, amazing edibles, topicals, tinctures

PANDEMIC PROTOCOL: Curaleaf NY locations are currently open and following recommendations of the CDC, WHO and NYDH, with safe social distance measures in place. MMJ card required. Virtual or phone consultation may be available for new patients. After the consult, scheduled pickup time at the store.

At the time of publication, Curaleaf offers delivery to the Bronx.

MedMen

2001 Marcus Avenue, Suite W75, Lake Success, NY 11042
(516) 882-1934 • [email protected]

Clean. Sleek. Classy. Upscale. MedMen sets the bar for an easy shopping experience, start to finish. Pharmacists available as needed and there’s a doctor on site. All staff are polished, professional and courteous. From company attire top to bottom, to demeanor, disposition and knowledge, MedMen delivers a very pleasant, professional experience.

MedMen pros know your chart, your prescriptions and make everything fast and accommodating. Staff deliver incredible one-on-one customer experiences. Many call it the Apple Store of cannabis, but 420 DC thinks it’s better.

If appropriate, ask about the 15% first responder and military veteran discounts. They may also be able to assist people in financial hardship, so don’t be ashamed to ask.

Online ordering at Leafly for in-store pickup.

PANDEMIC PROTOCOL: MedMen NY locations are currently open, using proactive steps to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. They follow CDC, WHO and NYDH recommended guidelines.

Registered patients can order online at Leafly or via the store’s phone (516) 882-1934 or email ([email protected]).

Columbia Care Brooklyn Dispensary

Website: https://col-care.com/location/brooklyn/

Address: 44 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 212-271-0925

Operating Hours:
Mondays – Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Gorgeous ambiance with architectural flair; Columbia Care Brooklyn Dispensary offers customers high ceilings, warm wood tones, lots of light, lush plants and open space with great energy. Staff is very courteous, approachable and knowledgeable.

An NY MMJ card is required for THC products, but they also carry a wide variety of CBD products that you can buy today without a medical marijuana ID card. They are open to the public, and you should definitely check this place out.

PANDEMIC PROTOCOL: Columbia Care Brooklyn Dispensary locations offer phone or video pharmacist consultations, online ordering and curbside pickup or delivery. currently open, using proactive steps to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. They follow CDC, WHO and NYDH recommended guidelines.

Final Take

The best dispensaries in New York as called by 420DC can be a guide when visiting the Big Apple. Remember that, at the time of this writing, only medicinal is available and no flower at all. But also remember that this industry is in a state of flux.

Cannabis users have known for millennia that weed is beneficial all the way around. And the dispensaries in New York have stepped up to keep the cannabis community stocked despite the draconian regulations.

COVID-19 has created a boom industry for the best dispensaries in New York. With social distancing restrictions in place, many services have opted for delivery only or curbside pickup. Others are open, but limiting customers into brick and mortar shops.

Again, 420 DC has taken into consideration the performance of each dispensary previous to the pandemic. Also, our evaluations consider future possibilities once COVID-19 no longer imposes on business and laws legalizing smoking flower.

Your voices are also important for this review. This list of 5 best dispensaries in New York watches reviews and other online interactions too.

So feel free to chime in with comments. Did we get it right?