Visiting New York City from Belarus? Here's Where to

If you're visiting New York City from Belarus and you're 21 years of age or older, the answer is a straightforward yes — you can legally purchase cannabis at licensed adult-use dispensaries throughout the five boroughs and across New York State. No medical card required. No special tourist registration. Just a valid government-issued ID, such as your Belarusian passport, and you're able to walk into a licensed shop and make a legal purchase. New York State legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021, and since then, a thriving regulated market has opened its doors to residents and visitors alike.

We're Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand based right here in Brooklyn, NYC. Co-founders Shane Breen, a proud U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas have built this brand together over 25 years of partnership. We launched in March 2024 and have already placed our products in more than 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State. We know this city, we know this industry, and we want to make sure every guest who visits — including those traveling from Belarus — has a safe, informed, and genuinely exceptional cannabis experience while they're here.

This guide covers everything you need: what ID to bring, how much you can buy, where you can legally consume, what products to look for, and the one critical rule you absolutely must not ignore before you board your flight home. Let's get into it.

In Belarus, cannabis remains fully illegal under national law. Possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis are all criminal offenses, and enforcement is serious. Belarusian law does not distinguish between small personal amounts and larger quantities in the way some European jurisdictions do — penalties can be severe, and there is no regulated adult-use or medical cannabis market of any kind currently operating in the country. For most Belarusian travelers, the idea of walking into a legal cannabis retail store and choosing from a curated menu of lab-tested products is something entirely new.

New York operates under a completely different framework. Under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), adults 21 and over may legally purchase, possess, and consume cannabis products within specific guidelines. Licensed dispensaries across New York City carry a wide range of flower, concentrates, vapes, edibles, and more — all tested by state-certified labs for potency, purity, and safety. Every product on the shelf has been reviewed by regulators and has passed quality checks before it ever reaches a consumer's hands. That kind of accountability and transparency is something we at Silly Nice take very seriously across our entire product line.

Understanding this contrast matters — not just so you know what to expect, but so you recognize that what you're participating in here in New York is a legal, structured, tax-paying industry. It's not a gray zone. It's not a loophole. It is legal commerce, and we're proud to be part of it.

Your Belarusian Passport Is All You Need

When you visit a licensed dispensary in New York City, you'll be asked to show valid government-issued identification proving you are 21 years of age or older. Your Belarusian passport is fully accepted as a valid form of ID at New York State adult-use cannabis retailers. You do not need a New York State driver's license, a US ID, or any additional documentation. Simply present your passport at the door, and staff will verify your age before allowing entry to the purchasing area.

Purchase Limits Per Transaction

New York State sets legal purchase limits for each transaction. Adults may purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower and up to 24 grams of cannabis concentrate per transaction. These limits are generous enough to accommodate most visitors' needs during a trip and allow you to explore multiple product formats — from hash and vapes to infused flower — all in a single visit. You are not required to show any medical documentation or registration; your valid ID is all that's required.

Once you've made your purchase, keep in mind that possession limits in public align with purchase limits — 3 ounces of flower and 24 grams of concentrate. Carrying more than these amounts in public is still considered a violation under state law, so there's no need to overstock. Buy what you'll actually use during your stay and enjoy it responsibly.

This is where things get important, and we want to be completely clear with you as a brand that cares about both your experience and your safety. Legal consumption in New York is permitted in private spaces only. That means if you're staying with a friend or family member who owns or rents a space and permits it, you may consume there. Some short-term rentals and private residences allow it — always confirm before assuming.

Here's what is not permitted: consuming cannabis in hotel rooms (nearly all hotels in New York City prohibit this and it can result in significant fines or eviction from the property), on public sidewalks or streets, in parks classified as smoke-free, inside vehicles whether moving or parked, or in any public-facing business or establishment. NYC does have some cannabis-friendly lounges that are emerging in the market — check local listings for any licensed consumption spaces that may be available during your visit, as this segment of the market continues to develop.

The bottom line: plan your consumption environment before you purchase. Don't assume your hotel is okay with it — it almost certainly is not. And never, under any circumstances, consume in or before getting into a vehicle. Impaired driving laws apply to cannabis just as they apply to alcohol, and enforcement is active in New York City.

We want to be completely direct with you here because the stakes are real. Do not attempt to transport cannabis purchased in New York back to Belarus. This is not a suggestion — it is a serious legal warning. Transporting cannabis across international borders is a federal crime under United States law, regardless of the fact that your purchase was legal in New York State. Federal law governs air travel and international border crossings, and cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level.

On the Belarusian side, importing any cannabis or cannabis-derived product into the country carries severe criminal penalties under Belarusian law. Customs authorities in both countries actively screen for contraband, and there is no amount small enough to be considered safe to transport. Cannabis you purchase in New York is for enjoyment during your stay in New York — full stop. Leave it here.

We share this not to frighten you but because we believe in educating every person who interacts with our brand. Responsible enjoyment of legal cannabis is something we champion every single day. That responsibility includes being honest about the boundaries that exist beyond New York's legal framework.

Our products are available at more than 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State, including locations throughout New York City. The easiest way to find a dispensary carrying Silly Nice near wherever you're staying is to visit our store locator or check our listing on Weedmaps at weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice. Weedmaps is a widely used platform that maps licensed dispensaries and shows real-time inventory, so you can confirm our products are in stock before you make the trip.

Always make sure the dispensary you visit is officially licensed by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. Licensed shops will display their license number visibly. Avoid any unlicensed operators or street sellers — those transactions are illegal and the products are untested and unregulated. At a licensed dispensary carrying Silly Nice, you know exactly what you're getting because every product we make is third-party lab tested and the results are publicly available.

Concentrates and Hash — Crafted for the Connoisseur

Our Diamond Powder is one of the most potent products in our lineup and one of the most sought-after concentrates in the New York market right now. At 1 gram for $50, it tests at 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids — numbers that reflect the precision and care behind every batch we produce. Diamond Powder is a crystalline concentrate that may help adults relax and unwind, and it's perfect for experienced consumers looking for something exceptional. Sprinkle it into a bowl, add it to a joint, or use a dab rig if your consumption setup allows for it.

Our Frosted Hash Ball is a genuinely beautiful product — 1 gram for $50, testing at 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and a remarkable 5.7% terpene content. That terpene richness translates directly into aroma and flavor complexity that concentrate enthusiasts will immediately appreciate. And our Bubble Hash — 1 gram for $44 — comes in at 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and an impressive 6.2% terpenes, making it one of the most terpene-forward options on our entire menu. Both hash products are solventless, crafted through careful extraction that preserves the natural character of the plant.

Infused Flower

Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower

For visitors who prefer something more discreet and convenient, our 510 Vape Cartridge in Pink Stardust is a strong choice. At 1 gram for $40, it tests at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids — one of the highest-testing vape cartridges you'll find in the New York market. It works with any standard 510-thread battery, which you can also find at most dispensaries. Our 2G All-In-One in Alaskan Thunder Fuck is a complete self-contained device at 2 grams for $80, testing at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids. No battery required — it's ready to use straight out of the package. Our Infused Flower in Papaya Wine rounds out the lineup — 3.5 grams for $60, testing at 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids. This is premium flower infused with concentrate for an elevated experience that flower lovers will genuinely enjoy. The Papaya Wine strain brings tropical, layered flavor notes that make it a memorable smoke. Whether you're new to concentrates or a seasoned flower consumer looking to step things up, this product consistently earns strong feedback from consumers across New York.

THC

37.32%

Total

42.90%

Size

3.5g

Price

$60

View Product

Silly Nice was built on something real. Shane Breen and LeVar Thomas have been partners for more than 25 years — in life, in business, and now in cannabis. Shane's service in the U.S. Army instilled a discipline and commitment to quality that runs through everything we produce. As a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run brand, we represent communities that have historically been underserved and over-policed in the cannabis space, and we're proud to be building something meaningful inside a legal, regulated market that we helped shape from the ground up.

When a visitor from Belarus — or anywhere else in the world — chooses a Silly Nice product from a licensed dispensary shelf, they're not just buying cannabis. They're supporting a brand that cares about every person in the supply chain: the farmers, the extractors, the dispensary workers, and the consumers. We take that seriously, and it shows in every lab result, every product formulation, and every interaction we have with our community.

New York City is one of the most diverse, dynamic, and welcoming cities on the planet. We're proud to represent it in the cannabis space and even prouder to share our products with guests from around the world. If you're visiting from Belarus, welcome to New York. Welcome to legal cannabis. And welcome to Silly Nice.