Visiting New York City from Dominican Republic? Here's

If you're visiting New York City from the Dominican Republic and curious about cannabis, we want to give you a straight answer right away: yes, adults 21 and older can legally purchase cannabis in New York City with a valid passport or government-issued ID. No medical card required. No residency required. New York's adult-use cannabis market is open to all qualifying adults — including international visitors. We're Silly Nice, a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand based in Brooklyn, NYC. Our co-founders Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas have been partners for over 25 years. Since launching in March 2024, we've grown to 150+ licensed New York adult-use dispensaries statewide. This guide is written for you — the visitor who wants to experience NYC's legal cannabis culture responsibly, safely, and with full knowledge of what to expect.

Before we dive into the fun stuff — the products, the dispensaries, the experience — we want to set an important baseline. The Dominican Republic has strict cannabis prohibition laws. Possession, sale, or use of cannabis in the Dominican Republic is illegal under Law 50-88, which governs narcotics and controlled substances. Penalties can be severe, including incarceration. There is no adult-use or recreational market, and medical cannabis is not broadly legalized in any formal, widely accessible way. In short, cannabis culture exists quietly in the DR, but the legal landscape is entirely different from what you'll encounter here in New York.

New York State, on the other hand, passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in 2021, fully legalizing adult-use cannabis for residents and visitors alike. Licensed dispensaries now operate across all five boroughs and throughout the state. The market is regulated, lab-tested, and transparent. Every product on the shelf — including ours — has been tested by certified labs and displays exact potency, cannabinoid content, and terpene percentages. This is legal, licensed, adult commerce. It's a completely different world than anything you might associate with cannabis back home, and we're proud to be part of it.

Understanding this contrast matters, because what happens in New York stays in New York — and we mean that literally, as you'll see in our important warning below. But while you're here, you're fully within your rights to explore, purchase, and enjoy.

Acceptable Identification for International Visitors

You do not need a New York State ID or a U.S. driver's license to buy cannabis here. Your Dominican passport is perfectly valid identification at any licensed New York dispensary. Any government-issued photo ID that confirms you are 21 years of age or older will be accepted. When you walk into a dispensary, you'll be asked to show ID at the door or at the point of purchase — just like entering a bar. Have your passport with you, and the process will be smooth and straightforward. Budtenders at licensed dispensaries are trained, knowledgeable, and welcoming to all legal adults, including international guests.

Purchase Limits Per Transaction

New York State law allows adults 21 and older to purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower and up to 24 grams of cannabis concentrate per single transaction at a licensed dispensary. For most visitors, this is more than enough for a meaningful stay in the city. You can also purchase edibles, vapes, and pre-rolls — all within the legal framework. These limits exist to keep the market responsible and prevent diversion, but for a tourist visiting for a week or even a long weekend, the limits are generous.

We also want to note: you cannot purchase cannabis for someone who is under 21. ID checks are firm and non-negotiable. Licensed dispensaries take compliance seriously, and so do we as a brand. All Silly Nice products are strictly 21+ only.

Buying cannabis legally is only half the equation — knowing where you're allowed to consume it is just as important. New York law permits adults to consume cannabis in private spaces. If you're staying with a friend or family member who owns or rents their home and gives permission, that is generally an acceptable private space. Consumption lounges licensed by the state are emerging in New York as well and represent the most welcoming, legal, purpose-built spaces for cannabis use.

However, there are clear rules about where you cannot consume. You cannot smoke or consume cannabis in hotels, even if you're paying for the room — most hotel policies prohibit it, and they operate as public accommodations with their own rules. You cannot consume cannabis on public streets, sidewalks, parks, or public transportation. You cannot consume cannabis in any vehicle, whether you are driving or a passenger. These rules are enforced, and violations can result in fines. We want your NYC cannabis experience to be a positive one, so please plan ahead and identify a proper, private space before you open any product.

We want to be extremely direct about this because it is genuinely important for your safety and freedom. Do not attempt to bring cannabis — in any form, including concentrates, vapes, flower, or edibles — back to the Dominican Republic. This is illegal under both U.S. federal law and Dominican Republic law. Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law in the United States, which governs all international ports, airports, and border crossings. Transporting cannabis across international borders — even from a state where it's legal — constitutes federal drug trafficking.

Upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, you would also face prosecution under DR's strict narcotics laws, which carry serious criminal penalties. The consequences could include arrest, detention, fines, or worse. No product we make — no matter how premium, how much you love it — is worth your freedom. Enjoy Silly Nice while you're in New York. Leave it in New York. When you come back to visit again, we'll still be here.

Silly Nice is available in 150+ licensed New York adult-use dispensaries across the state, including locations throughout New York City. The easiest way to find a dispensary near you that carries our products is to visit our store locator at sillynice.com/store-locator, or browse our brand page directly on Weedmaps at weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice. Weedmaps is a widely used cannabis retail platform that shows you live menus, hours, and locations — all in one place. If you're looking for Silly Nice specifically, either of those tools will point you in the right direction quickly.

We also recommend calling ahead or checking a dispensary's online menu before you make the trip, as product availability can vary by location and day. Our team works hard to keep shelves stocked, but specific products may sell out in high-traffic locations. A quick check online before you go saves you time and ensures you get exactly what you're looking for.

We built Silly Nice around the idea that premium cannabis shouldn't be exclusive. Every product we make is lab-tested, thoughtfully crafted, and priced to be accessible without sacrificing quality. Here's a complete look at what we offer and what makes each product unique.

Concentrates and Hash

Our Diamond Powder is 1 gram of pure crystalline cannabis concentrate at 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids — priced at $50. This is one of the most potent single-gram concentrates available in the New York market. If you're experienced with concentrates and want something exceptional to mark your NYC visit, this is it. Our Frosted Hash Ball is a 1-gram hand-pressed hash product with 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and a remarkable 5.7% terpene content — also $50. The terpene profile on the Frosted Hash Ball makes it aromatic, flavorful, and deeply expressive. It's a favorite for those who appreciate the old-school art of hash alongside modern lab precision. Our Bubble Hash is 1 gram at 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and 6.2% terpenes — priced at $44. Made through a solventless water extraction process, Bubble Hash represents cannabis at its most natural. The 6.2% terpene content is among the highest in our lineup, making it particularly aromatic and nuanced in its effects.

Flower and Vapes

Our Infused Flower — the Papaya Wine — is a 3.5-gram jar of premium flower infused to reach 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids, priced at $60. Papaya Wine carries a tropical, smooth character that makes it stand out on any shelf. It may help adults unwind after a full day of exploring the city. For those who prefer vaping, we offer the Pink Stardust 510 Thread Vape Cartridge — 1 gram at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids, priced at $40. Our 510 vapes are discreet, consistent, and ideal for controlled, measured use. The Pink Stardust offers a light, clean profile that complements any experience without overwhelming you. Our Alaskan Thunder Fuck 2G All-In-One Vape is a 2-gram all-in-one device at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids, priced at $80. Two grams in a single, self-contained device means no cartridge swapping, no batteries to charge separately — just reliable, high-quality vapor whenever you're ready. ATF is a legendary cannabis strain name, and our version honors that legacy.

Shane and LeVar built Silly Nice over 25 years of partnership, experience, and shared vision. Shane's service as a U.S. Army Veteran shaped his commitment to quality, integrity, and getting things right under pressure. Together, we launched Silly Nice in March 2024 with a mission to bring premium, honest cannabis to New York — and to represent the communities we come from: Black, Veteran, LGBTQ+, and family. We are proud to be a Brooklyn-based brand operating in over 150 licensed dispensaries across New York State.

To our visitors from the Dominican Republic: we welcome you warmly. New York is a city of culture, diversity, and open doors. We hope your experience with legal cannabis here — whether it's your first time in a licensed dispensary or you've explored cannabis markets abroad before — feels safe, exciting, and genuinely pleasurable. We want you to leave New York having experienced something made with real craft, real care, and real pride. That's what Silly Nice represents, every single product, every single time.

Use our store locator to find the dispensary nearest to wherever you're staying in the city. Check our menu to know exactly what to ask for when you get there. And remember: consume responsibly, in private, and keep it in New York. We'll see you at the dispensary.