No doubt, the spread of the coronavirus disease has brought forth a dramatic soar in doorstep drop-offs all over the globe. After all, with social distancing and stay-at-home measures still being strictly observed, it’s no surprise that many are relying on delivery services to get their hands on their needs and wants.
From groceries, lattes, to even devices, almost everything is now being handled by couriers. From memories of noisy stores to jam-packed restaurants, the world of commerce has shifted into a ‘new normal’ where contactless curbside pickups and door-to-door deliveries are now key steps to bringing businesses “closer” to consumers.
Of course, for people living in recreational states, this means getting their cannabis delivered straight into their doorsteps as well. In DC, especially, many enthusiasts are left with no choice but to ditch the in-store experience and rely on weed delivery services while the threat of COVID-19 remains to be too big to ignore.
If you’re one among those whose marijuana experience relies on the ‘communal’ spirit of the cannabis world, shifting to the weed delivery scene might at first leave you feeling lost and secluded. To help you ditch that part and understand how this new arrangement works, we have prepared a brief guide that will let you discover the ins and outs of DC weed delivery services.
Read on.
Step #1: Know the Laws
That fact that DC is a recreational state isn’t new anymore. In fact, it’s hard to find someone who isn’t aware that the nation’s capital has legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. After all, ever since the District voters approved the Initiative 71 (also called the Legalization of Possession of Minimal Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use Initiative) in 2015, the city has since then emerged to become a cannabis tourist destination.
However, similar to other states that has legalized the adult-use of marijuana, the laws surrounding the capital’s cannabis laws also come with a tricky side. With this, it is only crucial for anyone to know about the intricacies of DC’s existing cannabis laws before he or she would turn to weed delivery services.
Specifically, under the city’s current laws, anyone who is at least 21 years old is allowed to do five things: first, to possess up to two ounces of marijuana; second, to transfer one ounce or less of cannabis to another; third, to cultivate up to six cannabis plants within his residence; fourth, to possess marijuana-related drug paraphernalia; and fifth, to use cannabis on private property.
However, this is where the tricky part resides: While all the mentioned five points allow enthusiasts to use cannabis, DC’s current law bars the commercial sale of the drug.
In other words, anyone who is at least 21 is free to use marijuana, but he or she can’t buy it.
So, how can one get their hands on the substance? Fortunately, despite the odds, DC’s marijuana community has found a way to maximize the law’s gray area for their advantage.
As mentioned earlier, it is illegal under the current DC law to sell cannabis. However, under Initiative 71, it is okay for anyone who is at least 21 to transfer an ounce or less of cannabis to another adult, so long as there will be no payments involved.
Given this arrangement, entrepreneurs have found a way to provide cannabis to enthusiasts by giving marijuana as free thank you “gifts” whenever someone buys another item from them, such as tee-shirts, hats, juices, and others.
Step #2: Identify Your Current Options
Normally, under DC’s usual setting, there are three ways for enthusiasts to get their hands on those cannabis “gifts.” Specifically, this could be done by going to cannabis events where marijuana will be available for gifting and trading, shopping at smoke shops which offer cannabis gifts, or ordering delivery.
However, as you already know, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, turning to any of the first two options doesn’t come as a realistic bet. Therefore, turning to DC weed delivery businesses is the only choice you could get.
Fortunately, there comes a ton of delivery services for you to choose from. Among these include:
GHouse DC
Recognized to be one of the capital’s original weed delivery and meetup services, GHouse DC comes as the perfect bet if you’re after some exotic strains and potent edibles, thanks to its rich product collection.
To date, the business operates as a registered dispensary, which means registered marijuana patients can turn to the shop for including flowers, edibles, tinctures, concentrates and more. Meanwhile, for recreational users, they may simply purchase from the store’s list of available stickers, bags, shirts, or lighters to get free marijuana gifts.
Hidden Leaf
Launched in 2016, Hidden Leaf comes as another reliable weed delivery service in DC. In accordance with Initiative 71, the business also provides free marijuana gifts with every purchase made in the shop. Among its gift items include a range of flower strains, CBD balms, vapes, and edibles.
However, while GHouse DC offers a range of product choices, Hidden Leaf’s collection is limited only to apparels, such as socks, hoodies, tanks, shirts, and more, which customers could purchase in exchange for some marijuana gifts.
Green Kings DC
Last but not the least is the popular Green Kings DC, which offers pickup and delivery weed services. Similar to the first two, this shop provides amazing gifts with a minimum purchase of $100.
However, while the previous ones offer apparel, stickers, bags, and more, Green Kings DC works as a photography business that offers a variety of pixel quality options for specific prices.
Among the types of gifts available in its pixel quality options include flowers, concentrates, and edibles.
Step #3: Validate Your Option
Once a delivery site piqued your interest, the next step is to double-check its validity and quality of services. For many, this is considered to be the most crucial and, probably, the most demanding phase in buying cannabis. From checking the business’ official site, reading customer reviews, to checking available payment methods, there comes a ton of things that must be done.
Usually, taking a look at the store’s site can already suggest hints on what to expect from the business. In most cases, an organized and well-built site can indicate that a business is being maintained by professionals and that they have committed enough time, effort, and money to keep their brand as impressive as possible. Meanwhile, arriving at an outdated and poorly built site already calls for a red alert and might be run by fraudsters.
Checking the reviews made by previous customers about the service will also provide you with insights on what to expect from a business. Usually, testimonials are already accessible on a company’s site. However, in case you can’t find any in your online visit, you can choose to browse through Google and look for available reviews and comments.
Lastly, knowing the available payment options provided by the company will help you learn what’s the most convenient method for you. Among the features, you should look for include the business’ ability to accept payment via CashApp or cash-on-delivery.
Step #4: Make the Purchase
After conducting a thorough background check and review on the brand you’re eyeing, you can then proceed to make your purchase. Generally, this is done via online means. From the official site of your preferred retailer, look for the delivery option, and read for the instructions on how you can order. In most cases, an online form will be provided, where you will input your personal info and personal details. Once done, click submit and wait for the seller’s response. Replies typically take a few minutes to a whole day. However, once the business confirms and accepts your order, you can then rest and wait for the transaction to be completed.
Step #5: Observe Safety Protocols During Product Arrival
Normally, anyone can simply meet the courier of their purchased item on their front door. However, since we’re living in a time of a global health crisis, customers are tasked to take it upon themselves to maintain social distancing and other safety measures, even during product delivery.
If possible, the best option you can take to lessen the risk of getting exposed to COVID-19 is choosing for a contactless delivery service, where couriers will simply leave the item at your doorstep. However, in case such an option is not possible, the best bet is to wear a face mask and avoid face-to-face contact with the delivery team during the whole encounter.
Once you get the product, the next step is to ensure that no virus will make it into your interior. If possible, consider transferring the item to another container and dispose the original packaging. After doing so, quickly sanitize the surface where the original bag or packaging had been put, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
The Bottom Line
Ready to make your first DC weed delivery purchase ever? Sure, while the spirit of cannabis lies in the practice of “communal living,” opting for a delivery service without keeping close contact with anyone is the safest option you can have for now.
Whether you’re set to try out some exotic strains or get a taste of the trendiest edibles to date, be sure to get only your items from reputable stores in DC.
Make your purchase today!