Visiting New York City from Malawi? Here's Where to Find

To our visitors making the journey from Malawi — welcome. Whether you're landing in New York City for business, tourism, or to visit family, we want you to feel at home the moment you arrive. Malawi is a country of extraordinary warmth, rich tradition, and a deeply connected community spirit. We respect that culture enormously. And as a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand based right here in Brooklyn, NYC, we share those values of community, pride, and authenticity at our core.

We are Silly Nice — founded in March 2024 by partners Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, two Brooklyn natives with 25 years of friendship and trust behind every product we make. We are here to make sure your New York City cannabis experience is legal, safe, enjoyable, and completely unforgettable. This guide was written with you in mind.

New York State legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021, and today, purchasing cannabis legally in New York City is straightforward — as long as you follow the rules. Here is what every visitor from outside the United States needs to understand before they walk into a dispensary.

You Must Be 21 or Older

Cannabis in New York is strictly for adults aged 21 and over. No exceptions. Every licensed dispensary will verify your age at the door, so bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Your Malawian passport is completely acceptable and is likely your best option as a visiting international traveler.

Only Purchase from Licensed Dispensaries

This is critical: only buy cannabis from officially licensed adult-use dispensaries in New York. Unlicensed sellers — including street vendors and pop-up shops — are illegal, and purchasing from them is risky both legally and for your personal safety. Licensed dispensaries sell independently lab-tested products with verified potency and ingredients. Every Silly Nice product you find in a licensed shop is small-batch crafted, lab-tested, and held to the highest quality standards. Your safety and your experience matter to us.

Where You Can and Cannot Consume

Public smoking of cannabis is not permitted in New York City. You cannot smoke on sidewalks, in parks where tobacco smoking is banned, or in any public transportation space. Some licensed cannabis consumption lounges exist across the city where adults can consume legally on-premises — ask your dispensary for nearby lounge recommendations. Most visitors enjoy their cannabis products in the comfort of their hotel rooms, though always check your hotel's specific policies before consuming indoors.

And we want to be absolutely clear: never operate a vehicle or any machinery after consuming cannabis. Use NYC's incredible public transit system, rideshares, or simply walk — the city is made for that.

We are proud to say that Silly Nice products are now available in 150 or more licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State, with strong representation throughout New York City. No matter which neighborhood you're staying in, there is very likely a licensed shop nearby carrying our products.

The fastest and easiest way to find us is to visit our store locator and search by your hotel address or NYC neighborhood. The tool will show you the closest licensed dispensaries that carry Silly Nice, their hours, and directions. We update it regularly so you always have the most accurate information.

New York City's licensed cannabis dispensary scene is growing fast. Here are the neighborhoods where you are most likely to find a concentration of shops — and very likely to find Silly Nice on the shelves.

Midtown Manhattan

If you are staying near Times Square, Central Park, or along Fifth Avenue, Midtown has become a hub for licensed dispensaries catering to tourists and professionals alike. You will find sleek, well-staffed shops that are welcoming to first-time visitors and happy to walk you through all of your options.

Lower East Side and Greenwich Village

These downtown neighborhoods have some of the most culturally rich dispensary experiences in the city. The Lower East Side and Greenwich Village have always been spaces of creative expression and counterculture history. Dispensaries here tend to have knowledgeable staff and an excellent curated product selection — a great place to find premium Silly Nice concentrates and hash.

Harlem

Harlem holds a special place in our hearts as a neighborhood with deep Black cultural significance. Several licensed dispensaries here are Black-owned businesses, and as a Black-owned brand, we are proud to see our products supported in this community. If you visit Harlem — and you absolutely should — ask for Silly Nice by name.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is home. This is where Shane and LeVar built Silly Nice from the ground up, and Brooklyn dispensaries reflect the borough's diversity, creativity, and bold identity. If you have time to cross the bridge, a Brooklyn cannabis experience is unlike anything else in New York — and you may just be shopping from the neighborhood where your products were born.

When you walk into a licensed NYC dispensary and ask for Silly Nice, here is what you will find. Every product is independently lab-tested, small-batch crafted, and sustainably packaged. These are not mass-produced items — they are the result of intentional, craft-level work by a team that cares deeply about quality.

Concentrates and Hash — For the Connoisseur

Our Diamond Powder is a 1 gram concentrate with an extraordinary 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids, priced at $50. If you are an experienced cannabis consumer looking for the pinnacle of potency, this is it. Our Frosted Hash Ball is 1 gram of premium hash at 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and a remarkable 5.7% terpene content — priced at $50. For those who prefer a more approachable but still exceptional hash experience, our Bubble Hash delivers 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and 6.2% terpenes in a 1 gram format for $44. Hash has deep global roots, and we are proud to craft ours with the respect and care that tradition deserves.

Vapes — The Most Travel-Friendly Option

If you are looking for a discreet and convenient experience during your NYC visit, our vapes are ideal. Our 510 Vape in Pink Stardust offers 1 gram with 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids for just $40. For those who want even more, our 2G All-In-One in Alaskan Thunder Fuck packs 2 full grams with 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids for $80. Both are compact, high-quality, and perfect for travelers who want to keep things simple. Please remember — vapes should only be used in permitted spaces, never in public or on transit.

Infused Flower

Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower

Our Papaya Wine Infused Flower comes in a 3.5 gram format with 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids, priced at $60. This is cannabis flower elevated — infused for added intensity and flavor. It is a genuine conversation starter and a product that reflects exactly what we set out to build at Silly Nice: something worth talking about.

THC

29.1%

Total

33.1%

Size

3.5g

Price

$60

View Product

We want your dispensary experience to be smooth, welcoming, and enjoyable from start to finish. Here are a few practical tips to help you navigate like a pro.

Bring Your Passport — Always

Your Malawian passport is your best form of ID at any NYC dispensary. Staff are trained to accept international passports from adult visitors. Do not leave it at the hotel on dispensary day. Every licensed shop is required by law to verify age before any transaction, so this step is non-negotiable.

Cash vs. Card — Know Before You Go

Due to federal banking limitations, many cannabis dispensaries in New York operate primarily in cash or use debit-only PIN-based transactions. Some shops have ATMs on-site. We recommend carrying some cash just in case, so you are never left unable to complete your purchase. Ask the dispensary directly about their payment options when you call ahead or check their website.

What to Expect Inside

Licensed dispensaries in NYC are professional, well-designed retail environments — think more along the lines of a boutique than a back-alley experience. Budtenders are trained to answer your questions about products, potency, and effects without making medical claims. Do not hesitate to tell them you are visiting from Malawi and looking for a specific experience — they are there to help. Ask for Silly Nice by name and let them guide you to the right product.

If there is one thing we hear from visitors again and again, it is that they wish they could take Silly Nice back home with them. While cannabis cannot legally be transported across international borders, the experience of discovering something truly special during your time in New York City stays with you. Our products — crafted by Black veterans in Brooklyn, available only in New York's licensed adult-use market — represent exactly what makes this city so extraordinary: diversity, craftsmanship, hustle, and pride.

During your stay, treat yourself to the best legal cannabis New York has to offer. Try a Frosted Hash Ball at your own pace. Pick up a vape for a smooth evening in your hotel. Share a session with a friend who lives here. These are the kinds of NYC memories that last — and we are honored to be a part of your story.

From all of us at Silly Nice — Shane, LeVar, and our entire Brooklyn family — thank you for visiting New York City. Thank you for choosing to explore cannabis legally and responsibly. And thank you for supporting a small, independent, Black-owned, Veteran-owned brand that pours everything it has into every gram we produce.

We hope to see you at a dispensary counter soon. Use our store locator to find the shop closest to wherever your NYC adventure takes you. We will be there, waiting to welcome you properly.