Visiting New York City from Ivory Coast? Here's Where to

First, let us say this: welcome. Whether you've landed at JFK, are exploring Manhattan from a Midtown hotel, or are about to discover the magic of Brooklyn for the first time — New York City is ready for you. And we're especially happy to welcome visitors from Ivory Coast, a country whose culture, music, food, and spirit are woven into the global fabric in ways New Yorkers deeply respect. From the sounds of coupé-décalé filling a dance floor to the warmth of Ivorian hospitality, Côte d'Ivoire carries an energy that resonates with us here in Brooklyn.

We are Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand founded right here in Brooklyn, New York. Our co-founders Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, partners for 25 years, built Silly Nice from the ground up because we believe everyone deserves access to the best cannabis experiences — crafted with care, tested for quality, and sold legally through licensed dispensaries across New York State. Since our founding in March 2024, our products are now available in 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York. This guide is for you — the curious, adventurous visitor from Ivory Coast who wants to experience legal cannabis the right way while in NYC.

New York State legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021, and licensed dispensaries began opening in late 2022. As a visitor, here's what you need to know before you walk through any dispensary door:

You Must Be 21 or Older

Cannabis in New York is for adults 21 and over, period. No exceptions. Every licensed dispensary will check your identification at the door and again at the register. As a visitor from Ivory Coast, your national passport is completely acceptable — you do not need a New York ID or a U.S. driver's license. Simply bring your valid passport and you're good to go.

Licensed Dispensaries Only

Only purchase cannabis from licensed, regulated dispensaries. Street vendors and unlicensed shops — sometimes called 'gray market' spots — operate illegally and carry unknown risks. Licensed dispensaries carry lab-tested products that meet strict state standards. Our products at Silly Nice are independently lab-tested, small-batch crafted, and available exclusively through licensed retailers. When in doubt, look for the official New York State Dispensary license displayed at the entrance.

Where You Can and Cannot Consume

New York permits cannabis consumption in designated areas and licensed consumption lounges, which are beginning to open around the city. You may NOT smoke or vape cannabis in public spaces, parks where tobacco smoking is prohibited, or in any public transportation. Many visitors prefer to enjoy cannabis products in the privacy of their hotel room — just confirm your hotel's smoking or vaping policy before you do. Never consume cannabis and then get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

We've made it easy. Our store locator at sillynice.com/store-locator lets you find the nearest licensed dispensary carrying Silly Nice products based on your location — whether you're staying in Midtown Manhattan, the Lower East Side, Harlem, or right here in Brooklyn. Just enter your address or neighborhood, and you'll see a list of licensed partners near you. With 150+ dispensary locations statewide, there's almost certainly a Silly Nice retailer within walking distance of where you're staying.

New York City's dispensary scene is growing rapidly across all five boroughs. Here are the neighborhoods where you'll find the densest clusters of licensed retailers — many of which carry our products:

Midtown Manhattan

If you're staying near Times Square, the Empire State Building, or any of Manhattan's major hotels, Midtown has multiple licensed dispensaries within easy walking distance. After a day of sightseeing, it's one of the most convenient places to stop in and explore what legal cannabis in New York looks like for the first time.

Lower East Side and Greenwich Village

These downtown neighborhoods have a long countercultural history and are now home to some of the most thoughtfully curated dispensaries in the city. The LES and the Village attract a creative, diverse crowd — exactly the kind of environment where our Silly Nice products feel right at home.

Harlem

Harlem holds a special place in our hearts. As a Black-owned brand, we feel deeply connected to the cultural legacy of Harlem — and there are excellent dispensaries operating in this neighborhood that serve a community that deserves access to the best cannabis products available.

Brooklyn

This is home for us. Brooklyn is where Silly Nice was born, and it has a thriving dispensary scene across neighborhoods like Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, Flatbush, and beyond. If you have time to cross the bridge, Brooklyn dispensaries offer a more neighborhood-rooted, community-centered experience — and you just might find our full product lineup on the shelves.

Whether you're a seasoned cannabis enthusiast or curious about legal concentrates and hash for the first time, Silly Nice offers a range of premium small-batch products that deliver real quality at honest prices. Here's a breakdown of what we make and why travelers from Ivory Coast and around the world love them:

Concentrate

Diamond Powder

Diamond Powder is one of the most potent concentrate experiences available in New York's legal market. At 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids per gram, this crystalline concentrate is for experienced consumers who appreciate the craft behind high-purity extraction. It's a true New York cannabis souvenir.

THC

86.24%

Total

98.54%

Size

1g

Price

$50

View Product

Artisanal Hash

Frosted Hash Ball

If you're coming from a culture with a long appreciation for hashish — and Ivory Coast sits in a region of the world where traditional cannabis and hash culture runs deep — you will connect with our Frosted Hash Ball. Hand-rolled, rich with 5.7% terpenes, and beautifully crafted, this is premium hash that honors the tradition while meeting New York State's strictest lab-testing standards.

THC

54.19%

Total

64.27%

Size

1g

Price

$50

View Product

Solventless

Bubble Hash

Our Bubble Hash is ice-water extracted and full of flavor, carrying 6.2% terpenes that deliver a rich, aromatic experience. At $44 for a gram, it's our most accessibly priced concentrate and a wonderful introduction to solventless hash for visitors exploring the category for the first time.

THC

57.2%

Total

66.3%

Size

1g

Price

$44

View Product

Vape Cartridge

510 Thread Vape — Pink Stardust

For visitors who want something discreet and travel-compatible for their NYC stay, our Pink Stardust 510 Vape cartridge is the move. At 81.96% THC and just $40 for a full gram, it's a premium experience at a price that makes sense. Just make sure to have a compatible 510-thread battery, available at most dispensaries.

THC

81.96%

Total

88.36%

Size

1g

Price

$40

View Product

2G All-In-One

2G All-In-One Vape — Alaskan Thunder Fuck

If you want everything in one device — no battery needed — our Alaskan Thunder Fuck 2G All-In-One vape is a full two grams of premium cannabis oil ready to go. At 82.46% THC, it's powerful, smooth, and built to last through your entire NYC visit.

THC

82.46%

Total

84.06%

Size

2g

Price

$80

View Product

Infused Flower

Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower

Papaya Wine is our infused flower — premium whole cannabis flower coated in live resin and kief for an elevated smoking experience. At 51.22% THC across a full 3.5 grams, it's rich, fragrant, and deeply satisfying. The name alone — Papaya Wine — feels like it was made to resonate with visitors from West Africa.

THC

29.1%

Total

33.1%

Size

3.5g

Price

$60

View Product

Bring Your Passport

Your Ivorian passport is valid identification at every licensed New York dispensary. Don't leave the hotel without it on dispensary day. Some dispensaries may also accept other government-issued photo IDs, but a valid passport is universally accepted.

Cash vs. Card

Due to federal banking restrictions, many cannabis dispensaries in New York operate on a cash-preferred or cash-only basis — though some have ATMs on-site or accept debit through a cashless ATM system. It's always smart to have some cash on hand before you visit. Most ATMs in NYC dispense in $20 increments.

What to Expect Inside

Licensed dispensaries in New York are clean, professional, and welcoming. You'll check in at the door with your ID, then be greeted by a staff member called a budtender who can walk you through the menu and help you find exactly what you're looking for. Don't be shy — ask questions. That's what they're there for. Look for the Silly Nice label on the shelves and ask specifically for our products by name.

Start Low, Go Slow

Our concentrates are among the most potent products legally available in New York State. If you're newer to cannabis or trying concentrates for the first time, start with a small amount and give yourself time before consuming more. There's no rush — enjoy the experience at your own pace.

New York City is one of the most exciting cannabis markets in the world right now, and we are proud to be a part of it. As Shane and LeVar — two Brooklyn men who built something real from the ground up — we know what it means to work hard for something you believe in. When you pick up a Silly Nice product from a licensed dispensary during your visit, you're supporting a small, independent, Black-owned, Veteran-owned family business that is deeply rooted in this city and committed to doing things right. That means lab-tested, small-batch, sustainably packaged cannabis products that we stand behind completely.

To visitors from Ivory Coast — merci d'être là. Thank you for being here. New York City is better for having you in it, and we hope Silly Nice is part of what makes your trip unforgettable. Visit sillynice.com/store-locator to find the dispensary nearest to you, ask for Silly Nice by name, and experience what Brooklyn's best legal cannabis truly looks like.