What is cannabis curbside pickup?
Cannabis curbside pickup is a service that lets you order cannabis or CBD products ahead and collect them outside the store, often in a parking lot or a marked pickup lane. Staff verify your ID, take payment, and hand you a sealed bag without you going inside. The option began as a pandemic safety measure, and many states have since made it permanent.
How does curbside pickup work step by step?
The process mirrors standard online shopping, with one extra check at the curb. Steps differ by store, but most follow the same order.
- Order ahead. Shop the store menu online or call in, and choose pickup instead of delivery at checkout.
- Wait for confirmation. The shop verifies stock and order status, then sends a text or email when it is ready.
- Confirm your pickup window. Some stores give a time slot, while others let you arrive any time before closing.
- Park in the marked spot. Text the number on the sign with your name and order number.
- Show your ID. A staff member checks a valid government photo ID and, for medical orders, your patient card.
- Pay and collect. Pay by card or cash, then take your sealed order and review the receipt before you drive off.
Is cannabis curbside pickup legal?
Legality depends on your state, your product type, and the store's license. Some states allow curbside for medical patients only, some allow it for adult-use customers, and a few prohibit it outright. Hemp-derived CBD sits in a separate lane, since hemp was federally legalized in 2018, but states still set their own retail rules for it.
Retailers must follow state rules on age checks, purchase limits, and packaging. If a store offers curbside, it has already cleared the service with its licensing agency.
What products can you pick up curbside?
Most stores treat curbside like an in-store purchase, so the menu is the same. Common items include flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, tinctures, topicals, and CBD oils or capsules.
Purchase limits still apply. A single transaction has to stay under your state's per-visit cap, and staff cannot split one order to get around it.
Curbside vs delivery vs in-store shopping
- Curbside: fast for shoppers who know what they want, no waiting room, and still requires a trip.
- Delivery: convenient, but not every state or city allows it, and fees run higher.
- In-store: best when you want to ask questions, compare products, or smell flower.
Tips for a smooth curbside pickup
- Prepay if the store allows it, since cash-only lines move slower.
- Keep your ID in your hand, not in a bag in the trunk.
- Leave the sealed bag closed until you are off the property, because some states restrict opening cannabis in public.
- Save the store's number in your phone in case the text does not go through.
- Check your order against the receipt before you leave the lot.
Do you need to be 21 for curbside pickup?
For adult-use cannabis, yes, you need to be 21 or older with a valid photo ID. Medical patients under 21 can often use curbside with a state-issued patient card and, in some states, a caregiver present.
Can you tip at curbside?
Many stores allow tips, though some prohibit them by company policy. Check the payment screen or ask the staff member, since rules follow state and store guidelines.