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

If you've made the journey from the beautiful island of Mauritius to New York City, first of all — welcome. We know how far you've traveled. Mauritius is one of the most stunning places on earth: a nation of deep cultural layering, warm hospitality, and a spirit that knows how to enjoy the finer things in life. We respect that. And we want to make sure your time in NYC is everything you came here for.

We are Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand born right here in Brooklyn, New York. Founded by Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, partners for over 25 years, Silly Nice launched in March 2024 and has grown to more than 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State. When you visit NYC and step into a licensed dispensary, there's a very real chance you'll find us on the shelf. And we couldn't be more proud of that.

This guide is written specifically for you — adult visitors 21 and over traveling from Mauritius — who want to understand how legal cannabis works in New York City, what to look for, and where to find our products during your stay.

New York State legalized adult-use recreational cannabis in 2021, making it one of the most progressive cannabis markets in the world. For visitors from Mauritius, where cannabis laws are very different, this can feel like a significant shift — and we want to make sure you navigate it correctly and safely.

Who Can Purchase Cannabis Legally in NYC

Any adult aged 21 or older can purchase cannabis products from a licensed adult-use dispensary in New York. This includes international visitors. You do not need to be a New York resident. Your passport is your ID — bring it with you every single time you visit a dispensary, as all retailers are required by law to verify age before any sale.

Where You Can and Cannot Consume

You may consume cannabis in private spaces, such as your hotel room — though you should check the individual property's smoking policy before lighting up. Consumption lounges are also beginning to open across the city, offering a social, legal space to enjoy your purchase. What you must avoid is public consumption in parks, on sidewalks, near schools, or in any shared public spaces where cigarette smoking is also prohibited. This is taken seriously by the NYPD. Please be respectful and discreet. And of course — never consume cannabis and then operate a vehicle. Full stop.

Only Buy From Licensed Dispensaries

This point cannot be overstated. New York City has a large gray and unlicensed market. You may encounter storefronts or street vendors offering cannabis — do not purchase from them. Only licensed adult-use dispensaries carry state-tested, independently lab-verified products. Every Silly Nice product you find in a licensed shop has passed rigorous quality and safety testing. Your health and your experience both depend on buying legal.

One of the most common questions we hear from visitors is simply: where do I go? The good news is that licensed dispensaries are spread across all five boroughs. Whether you're staying in Midtown Manhattan, the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, Harlem, or right here in Brooklyn, there are licensed shops within reach.

Midtown Manhattan is a great starting point for visitors staying near major hotels and Times Square. The Lower East Side and Greenwich Village are known for their independent, culturally rich dispensary culture. Harlem has a growing number of community-rooted shops that reflect New York's diversity beautifully. And Brooklyn — our home — is packed with quality licensed retailers where you'll find Silly Nice stocked and ready.

To find the exact dispensary closest to where you're staying, use our store locator. It's simple, fast, and updated in real time.

We take serious pride in what we make. Every Silly Nice product is independently lab-tested, crafted in small batches, and packaged with sustainability in mind. Here's what you'll find from us on dispensary shelves — and what we'd recommend depending on your experience level and preferences.

Hash and Concentrates — The Heart of Our Line

If you're a connoisseur of cannabis extracts and concentrates, our hash offerings are among the finest in New York State. Our Diamond Powder is a crystalline concentrate coming in at 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids — one gram, $50, and truly exceptional in its purity and potency. This is the kind of product that experienced consumers travel to find.

Our Frosted Hash Ball is a one-gram pressed hash ball with 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and a rich 5.7% terpene profile at $50. It's aromatic, deeply satisfying, and a genuine expression of old-school hash craft elevated by modern quality standards. Our Bubble Hash, at $44 per gram, delivers 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and a beautifully expressive 6.2% terpene profile. For visitors from regions with strong hash traditions — and Mauritius has its own relationship with herbal culture — our hash selection will resonate deeply.

Vapes — The Most Travel-Friendly Option

If you're looking for something discreet and easy to use during your NYC stay, our vape products are hard to beat. Our 510 Vape Cartridge in Pink Stardust offers 1 gram at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids for just $40. Pair it with any standard 510-thread battery — available at most dispensaries — and you're set. Our 2G All-In-One (AIO) in Alaskan Thunder Fuck is a self-contained, rechargeable device with 2 full grams at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids for $80. No battery needed. No fuss. Just premium vapor from the moment you open the box.

Infused Flower

Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower

Our Papaya Wine Infused Flower is 3.5 grams of premium flower infused with concentrate, delivering 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids for $60. If you prefer to roll or pack a bowl, this is the product that makes a New York City evening truly memorable. The Papaya Wine strain is tropical-leaning in its flavor profile — which we'd like to think resonates with visitors from island paradise climates like Mauritius.

THC

37.32%

Total

42.90%

Size

3.5g

Price

$60

View Product

If this is your first time inside a legal cannabis dispensary, here's what to expect and how to make the most of the experience.

Bring Your Passport Every Time

Every dispensary in New York is legally required to verify that you are 21 or older before completing any sale. Your Mauritian passport is a perfectly valid form of identification. Keep it on you whenever you plan to visit a shop. Some dispensaries may also accept a valid driver's license or government-issued ID from your home country, but a passport is always the safest bet for international visitors.

Cash vs. Card at Dispensaries

Because cannabis remains federally regulated in the United States, many dispensaries operate primarily on a cash basis or use debit-style payment terminals called CanPay or similar systems. It is always a good idea to have cash on hand when visiting a dispensary in NYC. Most shops have ATMs on-site if needed. Some larger dispensaries do accept debit cards directly, but don't assume — bring some USD cash just in case.

What to Expect Inside the Shop

Legal dispensaries in New York City are professional, welcoming, and well-staffed. You'll be greeted, your ID will be checked, and you'll either browse a menu via an iPad or speak directly with a budtender who can guide your selection. Don't hesitate to ask for Silly Nice by name. Our products are stocked at 150+ locations statewide, and budtenders who know the market will recognize our brand. Ask about our Diamond Powder, Frosted Hash Ball, or Bubble Hash if you're exploring concentrates for the first time or the hundredth.

We started Silly Nice because we believed the legal cannabis industry needed more authentic, community-driven voices. As a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned family business rooted in Brooklyn, we represent something important about this city: that New York belongs to everyone who pours their heart into it. We put that same energy into every gram of hash, every vape cartridge, and every jar of infused flower we produce.

When you purchase a Silly Nice product during your visit to New York City, you're not just buying cannabis — you're taking home a piece of Brooklyn. You're supporting a small family business built by two partners who have been side by side for 25 years, through military service, through life, and now through one of the most dynamic cannabis markets in the world. That story matters to us, and we hope it means something to you too.

From Mauritius to Manhattan, from Port Louis to Brooklyn — we're glad you made it here. Now let us make your visit unforgettable.

You've come a long way to be here. Don't spend your time in New York guessing where to find quality cannabis. Use our store locator right now to find the licensed dispensary nearest to your hotel, your Airbnb, or wherever the city takes you today. Our products are available across Midtown, the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, Harlem, Brooklyn, and beyond — all independently lab-tested, all small-batch, all made with the kind of care that makes Silly Nice stand out on every shelf in every shop we're in.

Adults 21 and over only. Always purchase from licensed dispensaries. Always consume responsibly and in permitted private spaces. And always enjoy New York the way it's meant to be enjoyed — fully, freely, and with great taste.