A cannabis online dispensary is an e-commerce site that sells cannabis flower, edibles, oils, and CBD. Legality depends on state law. Federal law lists cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance. Hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC is legal at the federal level under the 2018 Farm Bill.
How to check a dispensary's legality
Each US state sets its own rules. Some states allow recreational sales. Some allow medical sales only. Some ban all cannabis sales. A dispensary must hold a state license. The license number appears on the site. Check the state's cannabis regulator website to confirm the license.
Lab testing and certificates of analysis
Lab testing measures cannabinoid content and contaminants. A certificate of analysis (COA) lists THC percentage, CBD percentage, pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents. A COA comes from an ISO 17025 accredited lab. The COA includes a batch number. The batch number matches the product label. If a site does not show COAs, do not buy.
Age verification and payment
US cannabis sales require age 21+ for recreational use. Medical patients may be younger with a state card. Online dispensaries verify age with a government ID scan or a third-party service. Payment options vary. Credit cards often fail because banks follow federal law. Some dispensaries accept debit cards, cash on delivery, or bank transfers. Cannabis is a cash-heavy industry.
Shipping and delivery
Shipping cannabis across state lines is illegal under federal law. A dispensary ships only within its state. Delivery services operate in some states. Hemp-derived CBD can ship to all 50 states if the product meets the 0.3% THC limit. Check state law for CBD too. Some states ban CBD in food or require labels.
Red flags for online dispensaries
- No state license number.
- No lab certificates.
- Prices far below market.
- No age verification.
- No physical address.
- Requests for payment by gift card or wire transfer.
Federal vs. state law
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) places cannabis in Schedule I. Federal agencies can enforce the CSA. Since 2014, Congress has blocked the Justice Department from using funds to prevent states from implementing medical cannabis laws. That protection does not cover recreational sales. Federal law still bans cannabis possession and sale. Hemp is different. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the CSA. Hemp means Cannabis sativa with 0.3% THC or less.