Visiting New York City from Cabo Verde? Here's Where to

If you are visiting New York City from Cabo Verde and you are 21 years of age or older, the answer is simple: yes, you can legally purchase cannabis in New York City. New York State legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021, and today there are hundreds of licensed dispensaries operating across the five boroughs and throughout the state. As a tourist, your valid passport from Cabo Verde is all the identification you need to walk into any licensed adult-use cannabis retailer and make a purchase. No state ID, no New York residency, no special documentation required beyond proof of age.

We are Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-Owned, family-run cannabis brand based in Brooklyn, NYC. Co-founded by Shane Breen, a proud U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, who have built this partnership over 25 years together, Silly Nice launched in March 2024 and quickly grew into one of the most talked-about brands in New York's legal cannabis market. Our products are now available at 150 or more licensed adult-use dispensaries statewide, and we want every visitor to New York — including those arriving from the beautiful islands of Cabo Verde — to have the best possible legal cannabis experience in our city.

This guide is written specifically for you. We will walk you through New York's cannabis laws, explain what you need to bring, tell you exactly what to expect when you step into a dispensary, introduce you to our premium product lineup, and make sure you leave NYC with incredible memories and nothing illegal in your luggage. Let's get into it.

The Legal Landscape Back Home

Cabo Verde, the Atlantic island nation off the coast of West Africa, does not have a legal framework for recreational cannabis. Possession and use of cannabis in Cabo Verde can result in legal consequences under local law, and there is no established adult-use or commercial cannabis market operating on the islands. While attitudes toward cannabis are evolving in many parts of the world, travelers from Cabo Verde are accustomed to navigating environments where cannabis access is restricted or criminalized.

New York City operates under an entirely different set of rules. Since the passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, adults 21 and over may legally purchase cannabis from licensed retailers, possess up to three ounces of cannabis flower or 24 grams of cannabis concentrate, and consume it in permitted spaces. This is a fully regulated, taxed, and legal commercial market — not a gray area or loophole. When you walk into a licensed dispensary in New York, you are engaging with a lawful business operating under state oversight.

Why This Distinction Matters for Visitors

Understanding this distinction helps set the right expectations. The legal cannabis market in New York is not underground — it is professional, clean, and consumer-focused. Licensed dispensaries carry lab-tested, properly labeled products with verified potency, terpene content, and cannabinoid profiles. When you purchase Silly Nice products at a licensed retailer, you know exactly what you are getting because everything on our label is backed by third-party testing. For visitors from Cabo Verde who may have little or no prior experience with a regulated cannabis market, this level of transparency is something to appreciate.

Visiting a licensed cannabis dispensary in New York is a straightforward experience, but there are a few things you should know before you walk in. First and most importantly, bring your passport. Your Cabo Verde passport is valid government-issued photo identification and will be accepted at every licensed adult-use dispensary in New York. Budtenders are trained to verify age using international passports, so there is no need to worry about being turned away for using foreign identification.

Per New York State law, adults 21 and older may purchase up to three ounces of cannabis flower or up to 24 grams of cannabis concentrate in a single transaction. These are generous limits that allow you to explore multiple products and stock up for your stay without any issue. You do not need to be a New York resident or a U.S. citizen to make a purchase — tourism is entirely welcome in the legal cannabis market.

Where You Can and Cannot Consume

This is important: New York law does not allow cannabis consumption in hotel rooms, public streets, parks, vehicles, or most shared indoor spaces. Consumption is permitted in private spaces where the property owner allows it. Some cannabis-friendly lounges exist in the city, and these are worth seeking out if you want a social consumption experience. Do not consume cannabis in your hotel room without explicit permission from the property, and never consume in a vehicle or while operating any transportation. Always consume responsibly and in a space where you are legally and socially permitted to do so.

We want to be completely direct with you on this point because it is serious. Do not attempt to transport cannabis purchased in New York back to Cabo Verde under any circumstances. Cannabis remains a federally controlled substance in the United States, which means transporting it across international borders — including out of any U.S. airport — is a federal crime regardless of where it was legally purchased. This includes all cannabis products: flower, concentrate, vapes, and edibles.

Additionally, importing cannabis into Cabo Verde is illegal under local law. Attempting to bring cannabis through customs — whether concealed or openly declared — can result in arrest, prosecution, and serious consequences that could follow you home. The legal cannabis you enjoy during your New York visit is meant to stay in New York. Purchase what you plan to use during your trip, consume it responsibly in a permitted space, and leave nothing behind in your luggage when you head to the airport.

We say this not to alarm you but to protect you. New York's legal cannabis market exists so that adults can enjoy cannabis safely and lawfully within the state. We want your experience here to be joyful, legal, and consequence-free from start to finish.

Use Weedmaps to Locate Us

The easiest way to find Silly Nice products near you in New York City is through Weedmaps. Visit weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice to see a full list of licensed dispensaries that currently carry our products. Weedmaps is a trusted cannabis discovery platform that shows real-time inventory, dispensary hours, locations, and menus. You can filter by neighborhood, product type, or brand, making it simple to plan your dispensary visit before you leave your hotel.

We are currently available at 150 or more licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State, including locations throughout New York City. Whether you are staying in Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or anywhere else in the five boroughs, there is likely a licensed retailer carrying Silly Nice products within reach. We recommend checking the store locator on our website as well for the most current and complete list of retail partners.

What to Expect Inside a Licensed Dispensary

Licensed dispensaries in New York are professional, welcoming retail environments. You will check in at the door with your passport, speak with a knowledgeable budtender who can walk you through the menu, and browse a curated selection of legally tested and labeled cannabis products. There is no pressure, no rush, and no expectation that you already know everything. Ask questions, share what kind of experience you are looking for, and let the staff help guide you to the right product. If you ask specifically for Silly Nice, any budtender at a carrying location will know exactly who we are.

At Silly Nice, we built our product line around quality, potency, and precision. Every product we make is third-party lab tested and crafted for adults who appreciate the difference between average and exceptional. Here is our full current lineup, available now at licensed dispensaries across New York City and statewide.

Concentrates and Hash

Our Diamond Powder is a one-gram concentrate testing at 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids, priced at $50. This is one of the purest and most potent cannabis products available in the New York market. It is designed for experienced consumers who want maximum effect from a minimal amount of product. Our Frosted Hash Ball is a one-gram solventless hash sphere testing at 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and a notable 5.7% terpenes, also priced at $50. This product has become a favorite among hash connoisseurs visiting New York who want something they simply cannot find in most markets around the world. Our Bubble Hash, priced at $44 per gram, tests at 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and an impressive 6.2% terpenes. It is a beautifully crafted solventless product that may help adults relax and unwind after a long day exploring the city.

Flower and Vapes

Our Infused Flower in the Papaya Wine strain comes in a 3.5-gram package testing at 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids, priced at $60. This is premium whole flower infused with concentrate for an elevated experience that goes far beyond standard cannabis flower. For those who prefer vaping, our 510 Thread Vape Cartridge in Pink Stardust delivers 1 gram at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids for $40 — a clean, portable, and discreet option that is popular with travelers. Our 2G All-In-One Vape in Alaskan Thunder Fuck is the most value-packed option in our lineup: 2 full grams at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids for $80. No cartridge needed, no battery required — just open the box and enjoy.

Every one of these products was developed with care, tested rigorously, and produced to meet the standards of the New York regulated market. We take pride in what we put our name on, and when you purchase Silly Nice, you are supporting a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-Owned, family-run business that is deeply invested in the communities we serve.

New York City is one of the most vibrant, culturally rich destinations in the world, and we are proud that Silly Nice is part of what makes this city's legal cannabis market worth experiencing. Whether you are here for a few days or a few weeks, there is something genuinely special about being able to walk into a licensed dispensary, pick up world-class cannabis and hash products, and enjoy them legally in the city that never sleeps. We want visitors from Cabo Verde to feel welcome, informed, and confident every step of the way.

Shane and LeVar built Silly Nice from the ground up because they believed New York deserved a cannabis brand that truly represented the culture, the community, and the standard of excellence this city demands. Twenty-five years of partnership, one U.S. Army Veteran, one family-run business, and over 150 dispensary locations later — we are just getting started. Come find us.

Explore our store locator to find the licensed dispensary nearest to you during your New York visit. Check our full menu to see every product we currently offer. And if you have questions, reach out — we love hearing from visitors who discovered Silly Nice while traveling in New York City. Enjoy the city. Enjoy the cannabis. Do it legally. Do it safely. That is the Silly Nice way.