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

We get this question a lot, and the answer is a straightforward yes. If you are 21 years of age or older and visiting New York City from Cyprus, you can legally purchase cannabis from any licensed adult-use dispensary in the state. New York's legal recreational cannabis market does not require residency — all you need is a valid government-issued photo ID proving you are at least 21. Your Cypriot passport works perfectly for this purpose. No special permits, no medical card, no New York State ID required. Walk in, show your passport, browse the menu, and shop legally.

We are Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand based in Brooklyn, NYC. Co-founders Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas have been partners for over 25 years. We launched Silly Nice in March 2024 with one clear mission: bring authentically crafted, high-quality cannabis products to New York's legal market with the integrity and care this community deserves. Since then, we have grown to 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State. If you are visiting NYC and looking for something genuinely worth your time and money, we want to be the brand you find.

This guide is written specifically for visitors arriving from Cyprus. We will walk you through how New York's cannabis laws compare to what you may know at home, exactly what to bring when you walk into a dispensary, what you are legally allowed to buy, where you can and cannot consume, and most importantly — what Silly Nice products are waiting for you on those shelves.

Cyprus currently operates under some of the most restrictive cannabis laws in the European Union. While the country legalized medical cannabis cultivation and export in 2019 primarily for pharmaceutical and industrial purposes, recreational use remains illegal for residents and visitors alike. Personal possession can result in criminal penalties, and there is no legal framework for adult-use recreational purchasing. For many Cypriot travelers, the ability to walk into a licensed retail shop and legally choose from a curated menu of cannabis products is a genuinely new experience.

New York, by contrast, passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in 2021, establishing one of the most progressive adult-use cannabis markets in the world. Adults 21 and older can purchase cannabis products from licensed dispensaries statewide, possess up to three ounces of cannabis flower or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis at a time, and consume legally in approved private spaces. The market is highly regulated, lab-tested, and designed to prioritize consumer safety and equity. As a brand founded by a Veteran and built with community in mind, we believe deeply in what this legal market represents.

The most important takeaway for visitors from Cyprus: what is legal here is not legal there. New York's laws apply only within New York. Please read carefully what you can and cannot do — including what you absolutely cannot take home with you.

Accepted Identification for International Visitors

Your Cypriot passport is the gold standard identification to bring to any New York dispensary. Licensed dispensary staff are trained to accept valid government-issued foreign passports as age verification. Make sure your passport is current and clearly shows your date of birth. Some dispensaries may also accept a valid EU driver's license if it includes a date of birth and photo, but your passport is the safest and most universally accepted document. Keep it on you whenever you plan to shop — no ID, no sale, no exceptions.

Purchase Limits Per Transaction

Under New York State law, adults 21 and over may purchase up to three ounces of cannabis flower or up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis products per transaction. For most tourists, this is far more than you will need for a visit. Concentrated products include items like hash, vape cartridges, and infused pre-rolls. Our full product lineup falls within these categories, and our staff at any licensed dispensary carrying Silly Nice can help you understand what counts toward which limit.

It is worth noting that pricing in New York's legal market reflects the quality, testing, and regulatory compliance behind every product. When you purchase from a licensed dispensary, you are buying lab-verified cannabis with accurate cannabinoid percentages printed on the label. That transparency matters to us as a brand, and it should matter to you as a consumer making an informed choice.

Knowing where you can legally consume is just as important as knowing how to buy. New York State law permits cannabis consumption in private spaces — meaning places where the individual has a legal right to be and where consumption does not violate other rules or lease agreements. For most tourists, this means a private residence or a rental property that explicitly permits cannabis use. If you are renting a short-term apartment through a service that allows it, you may be able to consume there. Always verify your rental's specific policy before assuming.

Here is what is definitively off-limits: hotel rooms, public streets, parks, vehicles of any kind, and any indoor public space. Even though you may see people smoking outdoors in certain areas of the city, public consumption remains technically prohibited and can result in fines. Hotels almost universally prohibit smoking of any kind, including cannabis, and violations can result in fees or removal. We want your NYC experience to be a good one — so please consume responsibly and only where it is lawful.

And this should go without saying, but we will say it anyway: never consume cannabis and operate a vehicle. Plan your transportation ahead of time. New York City's subway, taxis, and rideshare services are all excellent options that keep everyone safe.

This is the most important section of this entire article, and we cannot emphasize it strongly enough. Do not attempt to transport cannabis out of New York State and across international borders. Under United States federal law, cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance. Transporting it across state lines or internationally constitutes a federal offense, regardless of what any individual state's laws permit. Airports in New York — including JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark — fall under federal jurisdiction.

Beyond U.S. federal law, Cyprus's laws on cannabis importation are extremely strict. Bringing cannabis back from New York to Cyprus could result in criminal prosecution under Cypriot law with serious legal consequences. There is absolutely no legal pathway to bring cannabis purchased in New York back to Cyprus as a tourist. Purchase only what you intend to consume legally while in New York. Any remaining product should be discarded legally before you depart — not packed, not mailed, not carried.

We say this not to be alarmist, but because we genuinely care about the people who choose our products. Enjoy what New York has to offer while you are here. Leave it here when you go.

Silly Nice products are available at 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State, with strong coverage throughout New York City including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and beyond. The easiest way to find a dispensary near your hotel or destination is through Weedmaps. You can search for Silly Nice directly at weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice to see a map of every retailer currently stocking our products. The listings include store hours, addresses, menus, and current inventory so you can confirm we are in stock before you make the trip.

You can also use our store locator directly on our website to find the closest licensed dispensary carrying Silly Nice. We update our retailer list regularly, and our menu page gives you full details on every product including cannabinoid percentages, format, and pricing so you can plan your purchase in advance.

Premium Concentrates and Hash

If you are drawn to concentrates, we have three distinct options that range in potency and experience. Our Diamond Powder is a 1-gram product testing at 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids, priced at $50. It is one of the most potent products we make and is designed for experienced consumers who want maximum cannabinoid expression. For something rooted in traditional hash culture with a modern premium execution, our Frosted Hash Ball delivers 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and a rich 5.7% terpene profile in a 1-gram format for $50. It is the kind of product that resonates with consumers who appreciate craft and complexity. Rounding out the hash lineup is our Bubble Hash — 1 gram at 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and a standout 6.2% terpene content, priced at $44. Bubble Hash is made through a solventless water extraction process, and the terpene richness makes it an aromatic, full-spectrum experience worth exploring.

Infused Flower

Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower

For those who prefer vaping, our 510 Vape Cartridge in Pink Stardust is a 1-gram cartridge at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids, available for $40. It is compatible with any standard 510-thread battery and offers a clean, flavorful experience that may help adults unwind after a long day of sightseeing. If you want a fully self-contained option with no separate battery required, our 2G All-In-One in Alaskan Thunder Fuck is 2 grams at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids for $80. It is our best value vape format and one of our most popular products in dispensaries across the city. For flower lovers, our Infused Flower in Papaya Wine is a 3.5-gram eighth at 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids, priced at $60. It is premium flower infused for elevated potency and a distinctive tropical, wine-forward aroma that sets it apart from anything you will find in a standard flower selection. Whether you prefer to roll it yourself or use a pipe, Papaya Wine is a conversation-starter and a genuine expression of what we believe cannabis can be.

THC

37.32%

Total

42.90%

Size

3.5g

Price

$60

View Product

New York City is one of the most extraordinary places on earth to experience legal cannabis for the first time — or to experience it the right way for the first time. The market here was built on years of advocacy, and we launched Silly Nice in 2024 to be part of making it something New Yorkers and visitors alike could be proud of. As a brand that is Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and family-run, we bring intention and care to every product we put on a dispensary shelf.

We hope this guide answers every question you had about buying cannabis legally as a visitor from Cyprus. Shop legally, consume responsibly in approved private spaces, and never attempt to take anything across an international border. Beyond that — enjoy New York, enjoy the experience, and if you find a Silly Nice product in a dispensary near you, we hope it is exactly what you were looking for.

We are proud to be your NYC cannabis brand. Welcome to New York.