Visiting New York City from Eritrea? Here's Where to

If you're visiting New York City from Eritrea and wondering whether you can legally purchase cannabis during your stay — the answer is yes. Any adult 21 years of age or older can walk into a licensed adult-use dispensary in New York State and legally purchase cannabis products with a valid government-issued photo ID. That includes your passport, which is perfectly accepted at every licensed dispensary across the city. You do not need to be a New York resident, a U.S. citizen, or even a permanent resident. As a tourist, you have the same purchasing rights as any New Yorker — as long as you're 21 or older.

We're Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand based right here in Brooklyn, NYC. We were co-founded by Shane Breen, a proud U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, partners for over 25 years. Since launching in March 2024, our products are now available in 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State. We built Silly Nice for every kind of cannabis enthusiast — locals and visitors alike — and we want to make sure you have the most informed and elevated experience possible during your time in our city.

This guide was written specifically for visitors coming to NYC from Eritrea. We'll walk you through how New York's legal cannabis laws compare to what you may be used to back home, what ID to bring, purchase limits, where you can legally consume, and most importantly — how to find our products near you.

In Eritrea, cannabis is illegal. Possession, sale, and use of cannabis are prohibited under Eritrean law, and enforcement can carry serious consequences. For many Eritrean nationals, legal cannabis may be an entirely new experience — or something you've only encountered outside your home country. Traveling to New York gives you access to one of the most developed, regulated, and transparent legal cannabis markets in the world, which is a genuinely remarkable opportunity.

New York State legalized adult-use cannabis in March 2021 through the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). Since then, hundreds of licensed dispensaries have opened across the state, selling rigorously lab-tested products with verified potency, cannabinoid content, and terpene profiles printed right on the packaging. Every product you buy from a licensed New York dispensary — including every Silly Nice product — has been tested by a state-certified laboratory. You know exactly what you're getting. That transparency is something we're proud of and something we built our brand around.

As a visitor from Eritrea, you are stepping into a regulated, legal, and openly discussed cannabis culture in New York City. It's a very different environment than what you may be accustomed to at home, and we want to make sure you navigate it confidently and responsibly.

Accepted Identification for Cannabis Purchases

Your Eritrean passport is all you need. Licensed dispensaries in New York accept any valid government-issued photo ID that displays your date of birth. Your passport qualifies. When you enter a dispensary, staff will verify your age at the door or at the register — this is standard practice at every location and is legally required. Make sure your passport is current and legible. There is no additional registration, no special permit, and no prior approval required. If you're 21 or older, you walk in, browse, and buy.

Purchase Limits Per Transaction

Under New York State adult-use cannabis law, adults 21 and older may purchase up to three ounces of cannabis flower and up to 24 grams of cannabis concentrate per transaction. For most visitors, these limits are more than sufficient for a stay in the city. Concentrates include products like hash, diamond powder, and vaporizer cartridges — all categories where Silly Nice offers premium options that we'll describe below.

Purchasing cannabis in NYC is a straightforward, retail-style experience. Licensed dispensaries are clean, well-organized, and staffed by knowledgeable budtenders who can walk you through your options without pressure. Don't hesitate to ask questions about any product — that's what they're there for, and our products are always worth talking about.

This is one of the most important sections of this guide, so please read it carefully. Legally purchasing cannabis in NYC is straightforward — legally consuming it requires a bit more awareness. New York State law permits adults to consume cannabis in private spaces where the property owner allows it. That means a private residence where you are a guest and have permission, or certain licensed cannabis consumption lounges that may be available in the city.

However, you cannot consume cannabis in your hotel room (most hotels explicitly prohibit this as part of their terms), on public streets or sidewalks, in parks, in vehicles, or in any public space. Violating these consumption rules can result in fines. If you're staying in a hotel, we strongly recommend checking the property's specific policy before purchasing cannabis, or seeking out a licensed consumption lounge where on-site use is legally permitted.

And let's be clear about something important: never consume cannabis before or while operating any motor vehicle or other transportation. This is both illegal and dangerous. If you're exploring the city — take the subway, grab a cab, or walk. NYC is built for that.

We have to say this plainly: do not attempt to transport cannabis across international borders. Not in your checked luggage. Not in your carry-on. Not anywhere on your person. Transporting cannabis from the United States to Eritrea — or to any other country — is a federal crime under U.S. law, regardless of whether the cannabis was legally purchased in New York. You would be subject to prosecution under federal drug trafficking statutes, which carry severe penalties.

Beyond U.S. federal law, Eritrea prohibits cannabis entirely. Arriving in Eritrea with cannabis — even a small amount purchased legally in New York — could result in serious legal consequences under Eritrean law. We built Silly Nice to give people access to premium, legal cannabis experiences. That vision does not extend to putting our customers at legal risk. Enjoy our products during your time in New York, and leave them here.

At Silly Nice, we take serious pride in what we make. Every product we put our name on reflects our commitment to quality, potency, and transparency. We're a small, family-run brand — and that means we pour real care into every batch. Here's what we offer, with full specs so you can make an informed choice before you walk into a dispensary.

Concentrates and Hash — For the Experienced Enthusiast

Our Diamond Powder is 1 gram of crystalline THC-A concentrate testing at 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids — priced at $50. It's incredibly versatile: add it to flower, use it in a dab rig, or sprinkle it into a bowl for dramatically elevated potency. Our Frosted Hash Ball is a full gram of premium hand-pressed hash at 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and a rich 5.7% terpene content — also $50. This one burns slowly, smells extraordinary, and may help adults unwind in a deep, full-body way. And our Bubble Hash — 1 gram at 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and 6.2% terpenes — is priced at $44. Made through a solventless ice-water extraction process, it's a clean, flavorful hash experience that respects the plant.

If you're from a part of the world where traditional hash has deep cultural roots, our Frosted Hash Ball and Bubble Hash may feel surprisingly familiar — elevated to a new level of refinement and purity. We made them with that respect for hash culture in mind.

Flower, Vapes, and All-in-One Options

Our Infused Flower — Papaya Wine — comes in a 3.5-gram jar at 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids, priced at $60. This is premium cannabis flower infused with concentrate for a richer, longer-lasting experience. Our 510 Vape Cartridge in Pink Stardust is 1 gram at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids — $40 — and pairs with any standard 510-thread battery. For the most convenient option, our 2G All-in-One (AIO) in Alaskan Thunder Fuck is 2 full grams at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids — $80. No battery required. Draw-activated, rechargeable, and ready to use the moment you open the box. It's perfect for visitors who want a premium experience without needing additional gear.

Our products are available in 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State — including dozens right here in New York City. The easiest way to find a dispensary near you that carries Silly Nice is to visit our store locator at sillynice.com/store-locator. You can also find our listings on Weedmaps at weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice, where you can browse dispensary locations, check current inventory, and read verified reviews from other customers.

When you walk into a licensed New York dispensary, look for our distinctive packaging on the shelves — or simply ask the budtender for Silly Nice. We're proud of the reputation we've built in this market in a very short time, and the budtenders at our retail partners know our products well. They can help you find the right Silly Nice product for your experience level and preferences.

We also want to remind you: only purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Unlicensed sellers — however they may present themselves — are operating outside the law and selling products that have never been tested for safety or potency. In New York City, you'll encounter street sellers in some neighborhoods. Do not buy from them. Licensed dispensaries are the only safe, legal, and trustworthy option — and they're genuinely easy to find.

From Shane, LeVar, and every member of the Silly Nice family — welcome to New York City. This city has always been a place where people come from every corner of the world to experience something real. We built Silly Nice in that spirit: a brand that reflects the culture, the quality, and the community of this place. We're proud to be Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and family-run — and we're proud to be part of a legal cannabis industry that is opening doors for independent brands like ours.

Whether you're visiting for a weekend or spending a month in the city, we hope you get the chance to experience our products at their best — responsibly, legally, and in good company. New York's legal cannabis market is unlike anything else in the world, and Silly Nice is one of the brands making it worth exploring.

Explore our menu, find a dispensary near you, and enjoy your time in our city. We made these products for moments exactly like this.