First-time buyers in Las Vegas quickly learn that a dispensary menu is both a product catalog and a compliance document. Start with the basics: bring a valid, government-issued ID (driver’s license or passport). Nevada retailers must verify age 21+ and typically scan IDs at check-in.
Know your purchase and possession limits so the cart you build stays legal. As of 2025, adults may possess up to 2.5 ounces of flower or 1/4 ounce of concentrates in Nevada; menus often show “equivalency” so you can mix forms without exceeding the cap. Edibles are standardized at 10 mg THC per serving and 100 mg per package.
On the menu, sort by form (flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, tinctures, topicals) and use filters like “low THC,” “high CBD,” or “dominant terpene.” Don’t shop by THC percentage alone; potency doesn’t perfectly predict intoxication or enjoyment. Early research with legal-market products found that much higher blood THC didn’t necessarily translate to feeling “higher,” and labeling can vary. Treat THC as one datapoint, not the whole story.
Instead, read the terpene and cannabinoid details. Nevada labels (and many menus) must list a terpene profile alongside cannabinoids, which is practical: myrcene often reads as musky/relaxing, limonene bright/citrusy, pinene crisp/alerting. If a store links a Certificate of Analysis (CoA), open it—Nevada requires independent lab testing and seed-to-sale tracking (METRC), so results should match the batch you’re buying.
Budgeting is easier if you check whether prices are “out-the-door.” Vegas recreational orders include a 10% state cannabis excise tax plus local sales tax (8.375% in Clark County), which some menus show pre-tax and others show OTD.
Dosing: for inhalables, one or two puffs of a low-to-moderate-THC product is a gentle start. For edibles, beginners should start with 2.5–5 mg THC and wait—onset commonly takes 30–120 minutes, with peak effects later and duration that can stretch many hours. Nevada labels even warn that effects may be delayed by 2+ hours.
Quality and safety: Nevada mandates testing for potency, terpenes, and contaminants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, microbes). If a CoA is missing on the menu, ask staff to pull it up by batch number; it should match the label you see.
Legal context while you browse: public consumption (including sidewalks and hotel casino floors) is still prohibited; consume on private property or at a licensed consumption lounge. Don’t drive after using.
Smart workflow for the menu:
- Start on “Specials” or “First-time deals,” then filter by desired effect or terpene.
- Compare two or three options—read cannabinoid ratios, terpene profile, and product reviews if shown.
- Verify dosing and package totals (e.g., 10 x 10 mg gummies = 100 mg).
- Confirm taxes/OTD, then choose pickup or delivery if available.
- Screenshot your cart so you and your budtender can cross-check at the counter.
With these habits—ID ready, limits in mind, labels and lab results reviewed, and dose planned—first-time shoppers can navigate Vegas menus confidently and leave with products that fit their goals, budget, and the law—safely.
Learn More: Shop Smarter: How to Spot Top-Shelf Cannabis Flower