Visiting New York City from Democratic Republic of the

If you are visiting New York City from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and you are 21 years of age or older, the answer is yes — you can legally purchase cannabis at a licensed adult-use dispensary in New York State. No medical card. No state residency. Just a valid passport and your age. The Empire State opened its doors to recreational cannabis for all adults 21 and up, and that absolutely includes international visitors exploring the five boroughs.

We are Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand based in Brooklyn, NYC. Founded in March 2024 by partners Shane Breen, a proud U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, two people who have built their relationship and their trust over 25 years, Silly Nice is now available in more than 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State. We built this brand for people who demand quality, transparency, and authenticity. If you are visiting NYC from Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Goma, or anywhere else in the DRC, we want to make your experience with legal cannabis in New York something you will remember — in all the right ways.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: what ID to bring, how much you can buy, where you can and cannot consume, and most importantly, what products to look for once you find your nearest Silly Nice dispensary. Let us be your hosts.

Cannabis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, cannabis — known locally as chanvre or bangi — remains largely illegal under national law. The DRC's laws prohibit the production, sale, and consumption of cannabis, though enforcement can vary widely across the country's vast regions. There is no legal recreational or adult-use cannabis market in the DRC, and possession can result in serious legal consequences. The cultural presence of cannabis exists informally in some communities, but there is no equivalent to the regulated, tested, and licensed dispensary system that New York has built.

Understanding this contrast matters because the legal landscape you are entering in New York is completely different — and deliberately so. New York's Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) created a fully regulated adult-use market where products are laboratory tested for potency, safety, and purity before they ever reach shelves. Every product you purchase at a licensed dispensary has passed rigorous quality standards. That is a world away from the unregulated, underground access that exists in most parts of the DRC.

A Critical Warning Before You Travel Home

We need to be completely direct about this: do not attempt to bring cannabis back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Not even a small amount. Not even sealed and labeled products. Transporting cannabis across international borders is illegal under U.S. federal law — federal jurisdiction governs all airports and international travel — and importing cannabis into the DRC violates Congolese law as well. The legal, financial, and personal consequences could be severe. Enjoy your cannabis experience fully while you are here in New York. Leave every last bit of it here. This is non-negotiable.

Your ID and Purchase Limits

Your passport is all you need. When you walk into a licensed adult-use dispensary in New York City, present your valid passport as your government-issued ID proving you are 21 or older. International visitors are fully welcome at adult-use dispensaries across the state — you do not need a New York ID, a driver's license, or any kind of residency documentation. Your age and your identity are what matter, and your passport covers both.

New York State sets clear purchase limits per transaction. Adults 21 and older may purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower and up to 24 grams of cannabis concentrate per transaction. These limits apply regardless of where you are from. For most visitors, a single visit to a dispensary will be more than enough to cover your entire stay in the city.

Where You Can and Cannot Consume in NYC

This is where many visitors make mistakes, so pay close attention. In New York City, cannabis may only be consumed in private spaces where the property owner permits it. That means consumption is generally not allowed on public streets, in parks, inside vehicles, or in most hotel rooms. Many hotels explicitly prohibit smoking or vaping of any kind, which extends to cannabis. Before lighting up or vaping, confirm your accommodation's policy with the front desk or check your rental agreement if you are staying in a private rental.

We also want to be crystal clear: never consume cannabis before operating or riding in a vehicle as a driver. New York law prohibits driving under the influence of cannabis, and it is simply unsafe. Plan your consumption for relaxed settings where you are comfortable and have nowhere to be behind the wheel.

Finding Silly Nice products is straightforward. Our products are available in more than 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State, including dozens of locations throughout New York City across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The fastest way to find a location near wherever you are staying is to visit our store locator at sillynice.com/store-locator. Type in your current address or the neighborhood where you are staying and you will see the nearest dispensaries carrying Silly Nice.

You can also search for Silly Nice dispensaries using Weedmaps, one of the most trusted cannabis discovery platforms in the country. Visit weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice to browse dispensaries near you that stock our products, check real-time inventory, and read verified reviews from other consumers. Weedmaps is particularly helpful if you want to call ahead or confirm availability of a specific product before making the trip to the dispensary.

One important tip: only purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries. You may encounter people on the street in New York City offering cannabis informally. Do not buy from them. Only licensed dispensaries sell lab-tested, legally compliant products. Unlicensed sellers offer no safety guarantees, and purchasing from them puts you at legal and health risk. The legal market exists to protect you — use it.

At Silly Nice, we built our product line around quality that speaks for itself. Every product we make is designed for adults who appreciate craft, potency, and honesty. Here is what you will find on our menu at dispensaries across New York City.

Concentrates and Hash — Our Signature Category

Our Diamond Powder is one of the most potent cannabis products legally available in New York. At 1 gram, it tests at 86.24% THC with 98.54% total cannabinoids, available for $50. Diamond Powder is a crystalline THCA concentrate designed for experienced consumers who want maximum potency. It can be added to flower, used in a dab rig, or sprinkled into a joint to significantly elevate the experience. If you want to understand what the legal cannabis market is truly capable of producing, Diamond Powder is the answer.

Our Frosted Hash Ball is a 1-gram hand-crafted cannabis concentrate that tests at 67.34% THC and 78.34% total cannabinoids, with a remarkable 5.7% terpene content, priced at $50. The terpene richness in this product delivers a complex flavor and aroma profile that concentrates often sacrifice in pursuit of pure potency. The Frosted Hash Ball represents the best of both worlds — serious strength and genuine flavor. For visitors from anywhere in the world who appreciate traditional hash culture, this product bridges the old world and the new in a single gram.

Our Bubble Hash is a 1-gram solventless water-extracted hash that tests at 53.32% THC and 62.86% total cannabinoids, with an impressive 6.2% terpene content, available for just $44. Bubble Hash is produced without chemical solvents — only ice water and careful craftsmanship are used to separate the trichomes from the plant. The result is a clean, terpene-forward experience that may help adults relax and unwind after a full day exploring New York City.

Flower, Vapes, and All-In-One Options

Our Infused Flower in the Papaya Wine strain is a 3.5-gram jar of premium cannabis flower infused with additional concentrate, testing at 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids, available for $60. Papaya Wine delivers a tropical, smooth smoking experience that is deeply enjoyable. Whether you prefer rolling your own or using a pipe, this infused flower is a standout option for visitors who want something elevated beyond standard flower.

For visitors who prefer vaping, our 510 Vape Cartridge in Pink Stardust is a 1-gram cartridge testing at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids, priced at $40. The 510 thread is a universal standard compatible with most vape batteries sold at dispensaries. Pink Stardust delivers a clean, flavorful vapor experience that is discreet and convenient for city life. If you do not already own a 510 battery, ask your budtender — most dispensaries carry compatible batteries.

Finally, our 2G All-In-One Vape in Alaskan Thunder Fuck is a 2-gram all-in-one disposable device with a built-in battery, testing at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids, available for $80. No separate battery required. No charging complications during travel. The Alaskan Thunder Fuck strain is legendary for its energetic, uplifting character, making it a great companion for sightseeing days when you want something that may help you stay in a good mood and enjoy the city around you.

We want you to know who you are buying from. Silly Nice was co-founded by Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, partners for over 25 years. Together, they built Silly Nice as a family-run operation with deep roots in Brooklyn, NYC. Silly Nice is Black-owned, Veteran-owned, and LGBTQ+-owned — a brand that reflects the full spectrum of what New York City actually looks like. We launched in March 2024 and in less than a year reached more than 150 licensed dispensaries across New York State.

We built Silly Nice because we believed the legal cannabis market in New York needed more authentic voices and higher quality standards. Every product we release is tested, refined, and released only when it meets our own internal expectations. We are not a giant corporation. We are a family business that answers to our community and our customers first. When you buy Silly Nice, you are directly supporting a small, mission-driven business founded by people who care about this industry and this city.

Visitors from the Democratic Republic of the Congo bring a perspective shaped by one of the most culturally rich nations on earth. We respect that, and we welcome you into an experience that is safe, legal, and genuinely world-class. New York's legal cannabis market is young but already producing products that rival anything available anywhere in the world. We are proud to be part of that story — and proud to share it with you.

New York City is one of the greatest cities on earth, and now it is also home to one of the most exciting legal cannabis markets anywhere. Whether you are visiting for a week, a few days, or just passing through, you deserve to experience the legal cannabis market at its best. That means licensed dispensaries, lab-tested products, knowledgeable budtenders, and brands you can trust. That is exactly what Silly Nice delivers.

Use our store locator to find the nearest Silly Nice dispensary to wherever you are staying in New York City. Browse our full menu to decide which products you want to try first. And remember — your passport is your ticket in, enjoy every moment here, and leave every last product on American soil when your trip is done. The memories are yours to keep. The cannabis stays in New York.

From all of us at Silly Nice — Shane, LeVar, and the entire family — welcome to New York. We are glad you are here.