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

Whether you're landing at JFK from Guatemala City, Antigua, or Quetzaltenango, welcome. New York City is loud, layered, and absolutely alive — and we're genuinely thrilled you're here. We're Shane Breen and LeVar Thomas, the founders of Silly Nice, a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand born right here in Brooklyn, New York. We've been partners for 25 years, and in March 2024 we launched this brand with one mission: to create the highest-quality small-batch cannabis products that New Yorkers — and visitors from around the world — can feel proud to experience. Guatemala has a rich cultural history, deep roots in agriculture, and a people known for resilience and creativity. We see a little of that spirit in ourselves, and we're honored to welcome you to our city and our brand.

If you're 21 or older and you're curious about legally purchasing cannabis during your time in NYC, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from the law to where to shop to which Silly Nice products are worth bringing home as a uniquely New York souvenir.

New York State legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021, and the licensed retail market has been growing ever since. If you are 21 years of age or older, you can legally purchase cannabis products from any licensed adult-use dispensary in New York State. That applies to visitors and tourists just as it does to residents — your Guatemalan passport is a perfectly valid form of ID.

What You Need to Know Before You Shop

First: always bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing your date of birth. Your passport from Guatemala is ideal and universally accepted at licensed dispensaries. Second: consumption laws in New York prohibit smoking cannabis in most public spaces, including parks, sidewalks, and streets where tobacco smoking is also restricted. New York City does have licensed cannabis consumption lounges where you can legally enjoy your purchase on-site — ask your budtender if they know of any nearby. Third: never consume cannabis and drive. Plan your day accordingly — take the subway, catch a cab, or use a rideshare after visiting a dispensary. And finally: you are purchasing for personal adult use only. Enjoy responsibly.

Licensed Dispensaries Are the Only Legal Option

We know unlicensed street vendors and gray-market shops exist throughout the city. We urge you to avoid them entirely. Licensed dispensaries are required to sell lab-tested, regulated products with verified potency and safety. Silly Nice products are found exclusively in licensed New York adult-use dispensaries — never in any unlicensed shops. When you buy from a licensed store, you know exactly what's in your product. That matters.

Silly Nice is proud to be in 150 or more licensed New York adult-use dispensaries statewide. No matter which neighborhood you're staying in or exploring, there's likely a licensed shop nearby carrying our products. Here are some of the iconic NYC neighborhoods where dispensaries are clustered and where you can find us.

Midtown Manhattan

If you're staying near Times Square, Central Park, or the Midtown hotel corridor, you're in one of the most dispensary-accessible parts of the city. Several licensed retailers are within walking distance of major hotels. After a morning at the Empire State Building or a Broadway matinee, stopping into a licensed dispensary is as easy as grabbing a slice of pizza.

Lower East Side and Greenwich Village

These neighborhoods are historic, culturally rich, and home to some of the most progressive cannabis retail experiences in the city. The Lower East Side has long been a hub for counterculture and community — and Greenwich Village carries that same spirit of openness. Both neighborhoods are loaded with dispensaries and are excellent places to explore on foot before or after your purchase.

Harlem and Upper Manhattan

As a Black-owned brand based in Brooklyn, Harlem holds a special place for us. The community there has been central to cannabis culture and advocacy in New York for decades. Visiting a dispensary in Harlem while you're in NYC means connecting with one of the most historically significant neighborhoods in American culture. We're honored to have our products represented there.

Brooklyn — Our Home

Brooklyn is where Silly Nice was born, and it's where our heart is. From Williamsburg to Crown Heights to Bed-Stuy to Park Slope, licensed dispensaries are spread across the borough. If you're making the trip across the bridge — and we highly recommend you do — you'll find a diverse, vibrant cannabis retail scene that reflects everything Brooklyn represents: creativity, community, and quality.

Every single Silly Nice product is small-batch crafted, independently lab-tested, and sustainably packaged. We don't cut corners. We don't inflate numbers. What's on the label is what's in the product. Here's a breakdown of what we make and what makes each one worth your attention.

Concentrate

Diamond Powder

Our Diamond Powder is 1 gram of pure crystalline THC concentrate testing at 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids, priced at $50. This is one of the most potent and refined cannabis products you can legally purchase in New York. It's designed for experienced consumers who want maximum effect in minimal quantity. If you're a concentrate enthusiast visiting from Guatemala and want to experience what legal, lab-verified high-purity cannabis looks like, Diamond Powder is a landmark product.

THC

86.24%

Total

98.54%

Size

1g

Price

$50

View Product

Solventless

Bubble Hash

Hash has a long global tradition, and we honor that with two distinct expressions. Our Frosted Hash Ball is 1 gram testing at 67.34% THC and 78.34% total cannabinoids with 5.7% terpenes, also $50. It's dense, aromatic, and flavorful — a truly artisanal hash experience. Our Bubble Hash is 1 gram testing at 53.32% THC and 62.86% total cannabinoids with a rich 6.2% terpene content, priced at $44. Bubble Hash is solventless, made using ice water extraction, and delivers a smooth, full-spectrum experience that celebrates the whole cannabis plant. For visitors who appreciate craftsmanship in their cannabis, these two products are not to be missed.

THC

53.32%

Total

62.86%

Size

1g

Price

$44

View Product

Vapes and AIO — Travel-Ready, Discreet, Premium

If you're exploring the city and want a portable, discreet option that fits your lifestyle, our vape lineup is built for exactly that. Our 510 Vape in Pink Stardust is 1 gram testing at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids, at just $40. It's one of the most affordable premium vape options you'll find in New York. Our 2G All-In-One in Alaskan Thunder Fuck is 2 grams testing at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids, priced at $80. The AIO is self-contained, requires no separate battery, and is ideal for visitors who want a full experience without the setup. Both vapes offer a clean, flavorful draw and the confidence that comes from verified lab results.

Infused Flower

Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower

For those who prefer flower, our Infused Flower in Papaya Wine is 3.5 grams testing at 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids, priced at $60. Premium flower infused for elevated potency and a rich aromatic experience. If you're planning to enjoy your purchase at a licensed consumption lounge or in a private space, Papaya Wine is a beautifully crafted way to do it.

THC

37.32%

Total

42.90%

Size

3.5g

Price

$60

View Product

Walking into a licensed dispensary for the first time can feel unfamiliar if you've never done it before. Here's what to expect and how to make the most of the experience.

Bring Your Passport — Every Time

Every licensed dispensary in New York is required by law to verify your age before allowing you to shop or even enter the retail floor. Your Guatemalan passport is a fully valid and accepted form of identification. Don't leave your hotel without it. Some dispensaries may also accept a foreign national ID card, but a passport is always the safest option.

Cash or Card — Know Before You Go

Many licensed dispensaries in New York accept debit cards and some accept credit cards, though cannabis remains federally unscheduled which means some payment processors are still restricted. A number of shops operate cash-only or have ATMs on-site. We recommend bringing some cash with you just in case — it ensures a smooth transaction no matter which shop you visit.

Ask Your Budtender — They're There to Help

The staff at licensed dispensaries are trained professionals known as budtenders. Don't hesitate to ask them questions about any product, including ours. Ask about THC percentages, terpene profiles, or how to use a specific format. A good budtender will give you honest guidance based on your preferences and experience level. And if you ask for Silly Nice specifically, they'll know exactly what you're talking about.

We designed Silly Nice with intention and pride. Our packaging is sustainable, our branding is distinctly New York, and our products represent the best of what this city's licensed cannabis market has to offer. If you want to bring something home that's uniquely NYC — something lab-tested, small-batch, and made by people who actually care — Silly Nice is your answer. Note that cannabis products are subject to international travel regulations, so please enjoy your Silly Nice purchase within New York State and never attempt to travel internationally with cannabis.

From Guatemala to Brooklyn, from our family to yours — we're grateful you're here. New York City is at its best when the world comes to visit, and we built Silly Nice to be a brand the whole world can respect. Come find us, try something new, and enjoy every moment of your time in this city.