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

Welcome to New York City. We're Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand founded right here in Brooklyn, NYC. Our co-founders, Shane Breen, a proud U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, partners for over 25 years, built this brand to bring premium-quality cannabis and concentrates to legal dispensaries across New York State. If you're visiting from Ethiopia and curious about New York's legal cannabis market, we want to give you a straightforward, honest guide so you can enjoy your visit with confidence, clarity, and zero guesswork.

Let's start with the most important answer: yes, if you are 21 years of age or older, you can legally purchase cannabis at a licensed adult-use dispensary in New York City — no New York ID, residency, or citizenship required. Your valid Ethiopian passport is all you need. Licensed dispensaries across NYC accept government-issued international passports as valid identification. Simply show your passport at the door, confirm your age, and you're good to shop.

New York's adult-use cannabis program, launched under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, allows adults to purchase up to three ounces of cannabis flower or up to 24 grams of concentrate in a single transaction. These are generous limits designed to accommodate responsible adult consumers. Whether you're in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, you'll find licensed dispensaries ready to serve you legally and professionally.

The key word here is licensed. New York's legal market is regulated, lab-tested, and held to strict safety and potency standards. Every Silly Nice product on dispensary shelves has gone through rigorous third-party testing so you always know exactly what you're getting. When you shop legal, you shop safe.

Ethiopia's Cannabis Laws

Cannabis remains illegal in Ethiopia for recreational and most personal use purposes. Under Ethiopian law, possession, use, and distribution of cannabis carry serious legal consequences, including potential criminal penalties. While cannabis cultivation exists informally in certain rural regions of the country, there is no legal adult-use framework similar to what exists in New York. This means the legal protections that exist for cannabis consumers in New York do not exist back home.

We share this not to be alarmist, but because we believe you deserve accurate information. Understanding where you're coming from legally helps you understand just how different New York's regulated market is — and why keeping your cannabis experience entirely within New York is the only smart and legal approach.

New York's Legal Adult-Use Cannabis Market

New York legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021, and the licensed dispensary market has grown significantly since then. Today, Silly Nice products are available in over 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State. Every product sold in a licensed dispensary is laboratory tested for potency, purity, pesticides, and contaminants. Consumers receive a clear label with cannabinoid percentages, terpene content, batch information, and more. It is a transparent, consumer-first market — and we're proud to be part of it.

Shopping at a licensed dispensary in New York is a smooth and welcoming experience. Here's what you need to bring and know before you go. First, bring your valid Ethiopian passport. It is your best and most universally accepted form of ID. Most licensed dispensaries in New York are accustomed to serving international visitors and will accept your passport without issue. Make sure it is not expired.

Once inside, you can browse products, ask staff — often called budtenders — for recommendations, and make your purchase. You may purchase up to three ounces of cannabis flower or up to 24 grams of concentrate per transaction. You can pay with cash or, at select locations, debit card. Dispensaries do not accept credit cards due to federal banking restrictions, so having cash on hand is always a reliable backup.

To find a licensed dispensary near you that carries Silly Nice, visit our store locator or head to Weedmaps at weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice. Weedmaps is the most widely used dispensary discovery tool in the country and will show you real-time inventory, directions, hours, and more.

Legal Consumption Spaces

Knowing where you can legally consume cannabis is just as important as knowing how to buy it. In New York City, adults may consume cannabis in private spaces where smoking is otherwise permitted. If you are staying with a friend or family member who owns their home and gives permission, that qualifies as a legal consumption space. Some cannabis-friendly lounges and social clubs are also beginning to open in New York — check local listings before your trip.

Where You Cannot Consume

You may NOT consume cannabis in hotel rooms, as hotels are private property with their own no-smoking and no-cannabis policies — violations can result in significant fines or removal. You may not consume cannabis on public streets, sidewalks, parks, or in vehicles. Do not consume in any vehicle, whether you are the driver or a passenger — this is illegal and dangerous. These rules mirror New York's existing tobacco and alcohol laws in many respects, so when in doubt, think private space.

We want your experience in New York to be positive, memorable, and fully legal. Respecting local consumption rules is part of being a responsible cannabis consumer and a respectful guest in our city. If you're unsure about a specific location, simply ask your dispensary budtender — they are trained to answer exactly these kinds of questions.

This cannot be overstated: do not, under any circumstances, attempt to transport cannabis out of New York and back to Ethiopia. Cannabis remains illegal under United States federal law, which governs all airports and international travel, regardless of what is legal at the state level. Attempting to bring cannabis through any U.S. airport — including JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark — for international travel is a federal offense that can result in arrest, prosecution, and serious consequences.

Additionally, Ethiopia's laws make importation of cannabis a criminal matter. The consequences on the Ethiopian end of your journey could be equally severe. Your cannabis experience begins and ends in New York. Consume what you purchase here responsibly, and leave it here when you go. No product, however good — and ours is very good — is worth the risk of legal trouble in two countries.

We share this not to scare you but because we genuinely care about the wellbeing of every person who interacts with our brand. Shane and LeVar built Silly Nice on principles of honesty, responsibility, and community. That means being straight with you when it matters most.

Silly Nice launched in March 2024 and has quickly become one of New York's most respected premium cannabis brands. We are in over 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries statewide and counting. Every product we make is crafted with intention, tested rigorously, and priced to reflect real value. Here is our full lineup, available now at dispensaries across New York City.

Concentrates and Hash

Our Diamond Powder is one of the most potent concentrates on the New York market — 1 gram, 86.24% THC, 98.54% total cannabinoids, priced at $50. This crystalline concentrate is designed for experienced consumers who want maximum potency and versatility. Use it to top flower, add it to a rig, or incorporate it into other preparations. It is as pure and powerful as it sounds.

Our Frosted Hash Ball is a 1 gram sphere of premium hash carrying 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and an impressive 5.7% terpene content, available for $50. It is a full-spectrum, artisan experience — aromatic, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. If you appreciate traditional hash culture but want to explore what New York's legal market does with it, the Frosted Hash Ball is your answer.

Our Bubble Hash is 1 gram of ice-water extracted concentrate with 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and a generous 6.2% terpene profile, priced at $44. It is solventless, clean, and packed with natural cannabis flavor. This is a great entry point for consumers exploring concentrates for the first time, and a beloved staple for experienced hash enthusiasts.

Flower, Vapes, and All-In-One Options

Our Infused Flower — Papaya Wine — is 3.5 grams of premium cannabis infused for elevated potency, coming in at 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids, priced at $60. The Papaya Wine experience is tropical, rich, and smooth. Whether smoked in a bowl or rolled into a joint, this is a full sensory cannabis experience that may help adults relax and unwind after a long day exploring New York City.

Our 510 Vape in Pink Stardust is a 1 gram cartridge with 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids, priced at $40. It pairs with any standard 510-threaded battery and delivers consistent, flavorful draws. For visitors who want a discreet and convenient option, this is one of our most popular products.

Finally, our 2G All-In-One in Alaskan Thunder Fuck is a self-contained device loaded with 2 grams of premium oil — 82.46% THC, 84.06% total cannabinoids — priced at $80. No battery needed, no setup required. Just pick it up, take a draw, and experience one of the boldest and most energizing cannabis profiles in our lineup. It is ideal for tourists who want maximum convenience without sacrificing quality.

Finding us is easy. Visit our store locator at sillynice.com/store-locator to see every licensed dispensary in New York that currently carries Silly Nice products. You can filter by neighborhood, borough, or proximity to your location. Our dispensary partners are spread across all five boroughs and beyond, so no matter where in the city you are staying, there is likely a licensed shop nearby carrying our line.

You can also use Weedmaps — the leading cannabis dispensary discovery platform — to search for Silly Nice by name. Visit weedmaps.com/brands/silly-nice to see our brand page, real-time product availability at nearby dispensaries, store hours, and directions. Weedmaps is free to use and does not require an account to search.

We are proud of what Shane, LeVar, and our entire family-run team have built in such a short time. From launching in March 2024 to reaching 150+ dispensaries across New York State, Silly Nice is growing because we put quality and community first. If you are visiting New York from Ethiopia, we hope our products make your trip even more memorable. Buy legal, consume responsibly, and enjoy this city the right way. Welcome to New York — and welcome to Silly Nice.