Visiting New York City from Benin? Here's Where to Find

If you're visiting New York City from Benin and you're curious about legally purchasing cannabis, the answer is straightforward: yes, adults 21 and older can legally purchase cannabis at licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York City and throughout the entire state. You do not need to be a U.S. resident, and your valid international passport works perfectly as your accepted form of identification. New York's adult-use cannabis market is open to all adults who meet the age requirement — tourists included.

We're Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand based in Brooklyn, NYC. We were founded in March 2024 by Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, partners for over 25 years. Since launching, our products have been carried in 150 or more licensed New York adult-use dispensaries statewide. We're proud to be part of New York's legal cannabis movement, and we want every visitor — including those traveling from Benin — to have the safest, most enjoyable, and most informed experience possible when they explore the NYC cannabis scene.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: what ID to bring, how much you can purchase, where you can and cannot consume, which Silly Nice products to look for, and the critical legal warning every international traveler must understand before they visit a dispensary. Let's get into it.

In the Republic of Benin, cannabis remains illegal for recreational and general civilian use. The country has not moved toward a regulated adult-use market, and possession or use can carry serious legal consequences under Beninese law. While cannabis culture exists in West Africa broadly, it operates largely outside of any legal framework, meaning travelers from Benin may be visiting New York with limited or no prior experience with a licensed, regulated cannabis retail environment.

New York tells a very different story. In March 2021, New York State passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, legalizing adult-use cannabis for all residents and visitors 21 years of age and older. Licensed dispensaries operate under strict state oversight, products are laboratory tested for potency and safety, and purchases are fully legal transactions. When you walk into a licensed New York dispensary, you are entering one of the most regulated and transparent cannabis retail environments in the world.

For visitors from Benin, this is a completely new kind of experience — one where quality, transparency, and safety are legally guaranteed. Every Silly Nice product, for example, is lab tested and clearly labeled with exact cannabinoid percentages and terpene profiles. You always know exactly what you're purchasing, which is something the unregulated market back home simply cannot offer.

Accepted Identification for International Visitors

Your valid Beninese passport is fully accepted as legal identification at any licensed New York adult-use cannabis dispensary. When you arrive, a budtender or security staff member will verify your age before you enter the retail floor or make any purchase. Make sure your passport is current and readable. Other government-issued international photo IDs may also be accepted, but a passport is the most universally recognized and we strongly recommend bringing it.

Purchase Limits Per Transaction

New York State law allows adults 21 and older to purchase up to three ounces of cannabis flower or up to 24 grams of cannabis concentrate per single transaction. This is a generous limit that gives visitors meaningful access to explore the full range of legal products. For context, our Frosted Hash Ball and Diamond Powder are each sold in one-gram units — you could legally purchase multiple units in a single visit, giving you plenty of options to explore during your time in New York.

Adults may also possess up to three ounces of cannabis flower and 24 grams of concentrate on their person at any given time in New York State. However, possession rules and purchase limits do not extend beyond New York's borders, and we'll address that critical point in detail shortly.

Purchasing cannabis legally is only part of the equation. Knowing where you are and are not allowed to consume it is just as important, especially for visitors unfamiliar with New York's consumption rules. New York law permits cannabis consumption in private spaces — meaning inside a private residence or other private property where the property owner permits use. If you are renting a vacation apartment or staying with a host who allows it, that may be a suitable option.

However, you may NOT consume cannabis in public spaces, on sidewalks, in parks, or on any public street. You may NOT consume cannabis in vehicles — whether the vehicle is moving or parked. Critically, the vast majority of hotels and short-term rental properties maintain strict no-smoking or no-cannabis policies, and violating those policies can result in fines or removal from the property. Always confirm your accommodation's policy before you consume.

Our strong recommendation: plan your consumption thoughtfully before you purchase. Know exactly where you will be when you consume, and make sure that space is private and permissible. The experience is best enjoyed responsibly and in a comfortable, safe setting where you can fully unwind.

We want to be absolutely direct about this: do NOT attempt to transport cannabis out of New York State or across any international border. Bringing cannabis back to Benin — or to any country — is a serious federal crime under United States law. Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, and all U.S. international airports, customs checkpoints, and border crossings are under federal jurisdiction. Attempting to carry cannabis through an international airport is a federal offense, full stop.

Furthermore, importing cannabis into Benin is illegal under Beninese law and can result in criminal prosecution. The consequences of attempting to transport cannabis internationally — even in small amounts, even in your checked luggage — are severe and can include arrest, prosecution, detention, and long-term legal consequences in both countries. No cannabis purchase, no matter how premium or enjoyable, is worth those risks.

What happens in New York stays in New York. Enjoy the legal experience fully during your visit, and leave your purchases behind when you depart. This is non-negotiable from a legal standpoint, and we say this out of genuine care for every visitor who interacts with our brand.

Use Weedmaps to Locate a Dispensary Carrying Silly Nice

Our products are currently available in over 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State, including throughout the five boroughs of New York City. The easiest way to find a dispensary near your hotel or neighborhood is to visit Weedmaps at weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice. Weedmaps is the most widely used cannabis dispensary locator in the U.S. and will show you real-time inventory and locations in your area. You can filter by neighborhood, browse available products, and confirm which nearby dispensaries carry Silly Nice before you walk out the door.

Use Our Store Locator for a Direct Search

You can also use our own dispensary locator directly on our website to find the closest licensed retailer stocking our full product line. Whether you're staying in Midtown Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, Harlem, or any other neighborhood, our store locator makes it simple to find a dispensary within reach. We recommend calling ahead or checking online inventory before you visit to ensure your preferred products are in stock.

We craft every Silly Nice product with intention, precision, and pride. Here is our current full product lineup with complete specifications so you know exactly what you're getting before you ever step into a dispensary.

Concentrates and Hash — For the Connoisseur Experience

Our Diamond Powder is one of the most potent products on the New York legal market. At 1 gram with 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids, this crystalline concentrate is for experienced consumers who want maximum potency and versatility. Available for $50, Diamond Powder can be used to enhance flower or consumed on its own with the right equipment. It may help experienced adults relax and unwind at the end of a long day exploring New York City.

Our Frosted Hash Ball is a 1-gram handcrafted hash product delivering 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and an exceptional 5.7% terpene content for $50. The terpene profile makes this one of the most aromatic and flavorful experiences in our lineup. For visitors from Benin who may have encountered traditional hash in West Africa or elsewhere, the Frosted Hash Ball represents what premium, lab-tested, legally produced hash looks like in New York's modern cannabis market.

Our Bubble Hash is a solventless 1-gram concentrate with 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and 6.2% terpenes — the highest terpene content in our concentrate range — available for $44. Bubble hash is made using only ice, water, and agitation, meaning no chemical solvents are involved in the extraction process. It's a clean, flavorful, and approachable concentrate for adults who want a more traditional hash experience with verified quality.

Infused Flower

Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower

Our Pink Stardust 510 Thread Vape Cartridge delivers 1 gram of oil at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids for $40. Compatible with any standard 510 thread battery, this vape is one of the most convenient ways for visitors to enjoy premium cannabis in New York. It's discreet, portable, and consistent with every draw. Remember — vaping cannabis is subject to the same consumption location rules as smoking, so always consume in a private, permissible space. Our Alaskan Thunder Fuck 2G All-In-One Vape is a self-contained, two-gram disposable device delivering 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids for $80. With twice the oil of our standard vape cart and no battery required, this AIO is perfect for a multi-day NYC visit. It's draw-activated, fully charged, and ready to use right out of the packaging. Finally, our Papaya Wine Infused Flower is a 3.5-gram premium flower product infused with concentrate to reach 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids for $60. Papaya Wine delivers a tropical, rich experience that speaks to our brand philosophy — quality without compromise. Whether you're a seasoned consumer or just exploring what New York's legal market has to offer, this infused flower is a standout product that reflects everything we believe cannabis can be at its best.

THC

37.32%

Total

42.90%

Size

3.5g

Price

$60

View Product

From all of us at Silly Nice — Shane, LeVar, and our entire family team — welcome to New York City. We built this brand to be a source of pride for our community and a trusted name for every adult who walks into a licensed dispensary looking for something they can believe in. As a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run company, we understand what it means to build something from the ground up with integrity, and we pour that into every product we make.

If you're visiting from Benin, we hope this guide has given you everything you need to enjoy New York's legal cannabis experience safely, legally, and with confidence. Use your passport as your ID. Purchase only at licensed dispensaries. Consume only in private, permissible spaces. And please — do not attempt to bring any cannabis home with you. Enjoy it here, in the city where it was made.

Find us at over 150 dispensaries across New York State. Use our store locator or visit Weedmaps at weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice to find the nearest location carrying Silly Nice. We'll see you at the dispensary.