Flying to New York from Zayed International Airport

If you just landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport from Abu Dhabi and you're wondering where to buy legal cannabis in New York City — the answer is simple: head to any licensed adult-use dispensary in NYC and ask for Silly Nice. We're a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, Brooklyn-based cannabis brand available at 150+ licensed dispensaries across New York State.

New York State legalized adult-use cannabis in March 2021 under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). That means if you are 21 years of age or older, you can legally purchase cannabis flower, vapes, concentrates, hash, and more from any licensed adult-use dispensary in New York City and across the state. No medical card required. Just a valid government-issued ID proving you are 21 or older.

It is important to understand that only licensed dispensaries are legal. Unlicensed shops, street vendors, and pop-up sellers are operating outside the law and are not subject to the same rigorous testing and safety standards that licensed operators must follow. When you shop at a licensed dispensary, every product on the shelf — including ours — has been tested by a certified third-party laboratory and approved by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). That matters. For travelers coming from the UAE, where cannabis laws are among the strictest in the world, knowing that you are purchasing a legal, tested, and regulated product in New York is a big deal. This is how cannabis should be done.

Adults may possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis in public. Consumption is permitted in any location where tobacco smoking is allowed, though it is prohibited in vehicles, workplaces, and many indoor public spaces. Always respect local rules and be mindful of your surroundings when consuming legally purchased cannabis in New York City.

Etihad Airways and several codeshare partners operate direct and connecting service from Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, New York. Flight time is roughly 13 to 14 hours. Some travelers also arrive into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, which serves the greater New York metro area with comparable transit access into Manhattan and the boroughs.

From JFK, you can reach Manhattan and Brooklyn via the AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then the Long Island Rail Road or the E, J, or Z subway lines. From EWR, the NJ Transit AirTrain connects to Newark Penn Station, where you can catch a NJ Transit or Amtrak train into New York Penn Station. Once you are in the city, licensed cannabis dispensaries are accessible throughout all five boroughs and beyond. Many are within walking distance of subway stops, making it easy to stop in before checking into your hotel or heading to your destination.

We want to be clear: cannabis purchases are made on the ground in New York, at licensed dispensaries, by adults 21 and older. Nothing about cannabis travel crosses international or domestic transit lines — this is strictly about what you can legally enjoy once you have arrived and are settled in New York State.

We are Silly Nice. We are co-founders Shane Breen and LeVar Thomas — partners for over 25 years — and we built this brand from the ground up right here in Brooklyn, New York City. Shane is a U.S. Army Veteran. Together, we launched Silly Nice in March 2024 with a single mission: to bring genuinely exceptional, small-batch cannabis to the New York market under a brand that reflects the culture, grit, and creativity of this city.

Silly Nice is Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and family-run. We are not a corporate cannabis conglomerate. We are two people who care deeply about what goes into every single product we put on a dispensary shelf. Since launching, we have grown to be carried in over 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State — and we are just getting started. Every product we make is small-batch crafted, sustainably packaged, and backed by full lab testing with Certificates of Analysis (COAs) available at sillynice.com/menu.

For travelers from the UAE experiencing legal cannabis for the first time — or for seasoned consumers who know exactly what they want — we made Silly Nice for you. High-potency, thoughtfully sourced, and built on a foundation of integrity. When you walk into a dispensary in New York City and ask for Silly Nice, you are supporting a small, independent, mission-driven brand that is redefining what New York cannabis looks like.

We make a focused, premium lineup. Here is what to look for when you visit a Silly Nice dispensary.

Diamond Powder — 1g | $50 | 86.24% THC | 98.54% Total Cannabinoids. This is one of the most potent cannabis concentrates available in New York's legal market. Diamond Powder is a crystalline THC-A concentrate with near-total cannabinoid content. It can be used to top flower, added to a vaporizer, or enjoyed by experienced concentrate consumers. The numbers speak for themselves. If you are looking for the ceiling of what licensed New York cannabis can offer, this is it.

Frosted Hash Ball — 1g | $50 | 67.34% THC | 78.34% Total Cannabinoids | 5.7% Terpenes. Our Frosted Hash Ball is a hand-crafted concentrate that bridges old-world hash tradition with modern precision extraction. With 5.7% terpene content, the flavor experience is rich and full. For travelers who appreciate classic hash culture, this product will feel both familiar and elevated. Elegant, potent, and entirely unique to Silly Nice.

Bubble Hash — 1g | $44 | 53.32% THC | 62.86% Total Cannabinoids | 6.2% Terpenes. Our Bubble Hash is made using an ice-water extraction process that preserves the natural terpene and cannabinoid profile of the source flower. At 6.2% terpenes — the highest terpene content in our lineup — this product delivers an aromatic, flavorful experience that full-spectrum cannabis enthusiasts will immediately recognize as something special. A great entry point for hash newcomers as well.

510 Vape in Pink Stardust — 1g | $40 | 81.96% THC | 88.36% Total Cannabinoids. Our Pink Stardust 510 thread vape cartridge is built for convenience without sacrificing potency or quality. Compatible with any standard 510 battery, this vape delivers a smooth, consistent experience with lab-verified cannabinoid levels that put it among the strongest vape options available at New York dispensaries. For travelers who want ease of use and high performance, this is the one to grab.

2G All-In-One Vape in Alaskan Thunder Fuck — 2g | $80 | 82.46% THC | 84.06% Total Cannabinoids. Our 2G AIO (All-In-One) disposable vaporizer in Alaskan Thunder Fuck is a self-contained unit — battery and cartridge in one. Two full grams of high-potency distillate at 82.46% THC. No accessories required. If you are in New York for a week and want one product that carries you through the visit with consistency and power, this is your answer.

Infused Flower — Papaya Wine | 3.5g | $60 | 51.22% THC | 58.63% Total Cannabinoids. Our Papaya Wine Infused Flower is premium cannabis flower enhanced with a concentrate coating for elevated potency. At over 51% THC, it delivers a deeply layered experience. The Papaya Wine strain profile brings tropical, wine-forward tasting notes that make this a truly distinct product. For flower lovers who want the full sensory experience and serious potency, this is a must-try.

Finding Silly Nice is straightforward. We are available at over 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State, with strong representation throughout New York City — including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Whether you are staying near Times Square, exploring downtown Brooklyn, or anywhere in between, there is likely a Silly Nice-carrying dispensary nearby.

The easiest way to find us is through our official store locator at sillynice.com/dispensaries. You can also find licensed dispensaries carrying our products through Weedmaps and Leafly — just search Silly Nice and filter by your location. Before visiting any dispensary, we recommend confirming current inventory directly with the shop, as stock can vary. Our full product menu, including lab-tested COAs with exact cannabinoid and terpene breakdowns, is always available at sillynice.com/menu.

Q: Is it legal for me to buy cannabis in New York City as a visitor from the UAE? Yes. New York State adult-use cannabis is legal for any person aged 21 or older, regardless of nationality or residency. If you are visiting New York and you are 21 or older with a valid government-issued ID, you may legally purchase cannabis from any licensed adult-use dispensary in New York State. No residency, no medical card, and no prior registration is required.

Q: Can I bring cannabis back to Abu Dhabi or take it on my return flight from JFK or EWR? Absolutely not. Cannabis is illegal under UAE federal law, and transporting any cannabis across international borders — including on flights departing from U.S. airports — is a federal crime under U.S. law as well. Any cannabis legally purchased in New York must be consumed entirely within New York State and must not be transported across state or international borders. This is non-negotiable. Do not attempt to travel with cannabis. Silly Nice products are for legal adult use in New York only.

Q: How do I know a dispensary is actually licensed and safe to buy from in NYC? Only purchase cannabis from dispensaries that display their New York State OCM license. Licensed dispensaries are regulated, inspected, and required to sell only lab-tested products. You can verify licensed dispensaries through the New York State OCM website or by using our official store locator at sillynice.com/dispensaries, which lists only licensed retail partners. Avoid unlicensed storefronts — they are illegal, unregulated, and their products have not been tested for safety.

You just flew nearly 7,000 miles from Abu Dhabi to one of the greatest cities on earth. New York deserves to be experienced at its fullest — and for adults 21 and over, that now includes legal, tested, premium cannabis from a brand built right here in Brooklyn. We are Shane and LeVar. We built Silly Nice to be the brand that New York cannabis deserved: honest, potent, small-batch, and rooted in real culture. Find us at sillynice.com/dispensaries or ask for Silly Nice at any licensed dispensary near JFK, near EWR, in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or anywhere across New York City. We will be there waiting for you.