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

Bienvenidos a Nueva York. Whether you're flying into JFK from Panama City, arriving for business, tourism, or just a long-overdue adventure through the greatest city in the world, we want to be the first to tell you something important: cannabis is fully legal here in New York State for adults 21 and over. That means you, as a visiting adult, have every right to walk into a licensed dispensary, browse premium products, and legally purchase cannabis to enjoy during your stay.

We're Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand founded right here in Brooklyn, New York. Co-founders Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas have been partners for 25 years, and together we built Silly Nice from the ground up because we believed New York deserved a cannabis brand with real roots, real values, and real craft. Since launching in March 2024, we've grown to more than 150 licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State. If you're visiting NYC, there's a very good chance you're only a short subway ride from one of our retail partners.

Panama has its own rich relationship with culture, community, and celebration — and we respect that deeply. We know that for many visitors from Panama, exploring cannabis in a fully legal, regulated environment is a genuinely new experience. That's exactly why we want to walk you through everything you need to know: the laws, the neighborhoods, the products, and the dispensaries. Consider this your official NYC cannabis welcome guide.

What's Legal in New York State

New York legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021 under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). Adults who are 21 years of age or older can legally purchase, possess, and consume cannabis in New York State. As a visitor from Panama, you are absolutely included in that — your nationality doesn't change your legal right to purchase. All you need is valid government-issued photo ID proving you are 21 or older, and your passport works perfectly for this.

Where You Can and Cannot Consume

Here's where it gets important: consumption in public spaces, including sidewalks, parks, and streets, is not permitted under New York City rules. You can consume cannabis in private spaces where tobacco smoking is also allowed. Some licensed cannabis consumption lounges exist in the city where you can legally consume on-site — these are excellent options for visitors who want a social, comfortable environment to enjoy their purchase. Always check with the dispensary or your accommodations about where consumption is appropriate. And of course, never consume before or while driving — always arrange safe transportation before enjoying any cannabis product.

Licensed Dispensaries Only — Stay Safe and Legal

This is critical: only purchase cannabis from licensed, state-authorized dispensaries. Unlicensed sellers operating out of storefronts, pop-ups, or on the street are illegal and unregulated — products from these sources have no quality oversight and can be unsafe. Licensed dispensaries carry products that have been independently lab-tested and verified for potency and purity. Every single Silly Nice product sold in every dispensary meets that standard. When you see our packaging on a shelf, you know exactly what you're getting.

New York City is massive, and dispensaries are spread across all five boroughs. The good news is that we've made it incredibly easy to find one close to wherever you're staying. Our store locator tool lets you search by neighborhood, zip code, or address to pinpoint the nearest licensed dispensary carrying Silly Nice products.

Dispensaries carrying our products are clustered in several key neighborhoods across NYC. If you're staying in Midtown Manhattan, you're in one of the most dispensary-dense parts of the city — ideal for visitors near Times Square, the Theater District, or Rockefeller Center. The Lower East Side and Greenwich Village on the west and lower portions of Manhattan have some of the city's most curated and boutique-style dispensaries, perfect for first-time visitors who want a relaxed, knowledgeable shopping experience. Harlem has emerged as a vibrant cannabis retail corridor with strong community-owned and culturally rooted shops. And Brooklyn — our home borough — is packed with dispensaries that reflect the borough's independent, creative spirit. From Williamsburg to Bed-Stuy to Crown Heights, Brooklyn shoppers are never far from a great option.

What to Bring

Bring your passport — it's the most universally accepted form of ID at New York dispensaries for international visitors. Every customer is carded at the door, no exceptions. There is no age exception for any product category. If your ID doesn't show you are 21 or older, you will not be permitted inside. This is not negotiable and it's a good thing — it keeps the legal market honest and safe.

Cash vs. Card

Many dispensaries in New York accept debit cards, and some accept credit cards, but the experience varies by location. It's always smart to carry some cash as a backup. Most dispensaries have ATMs on-site if needed. Prices at licensed dispensaries are fixed and transparent — you'll see exactly what you're paying before you check out.

What to Expect Inside

Licensed dispensaries in New York are clean, professional, and welcoming. Think of it like visiting a well-run specialty retail store. You'll be greeted by a budtender — a trained cannabis specialist — who can walk you through all available products, explain potency, flavor profiles, and formats. Don't hesitate to ask questions. The best budtenders love helping first-time visitors find the right product for their experience level and preferences. If you see Silly Nice on the menu, ask about it — we're proud of every product we make.

We make a focused, intentional lineup of small-batch, independently lab-tested cannabis products. Each one is crafted for quality — not volume. Here's what we recommend for visitors who want the best New York has to offer:

Artisanal Hash

Frosted Hash Ball

Our Frosted Hash Ball is one of the most talked-about products we make. Hand-rolled and dusted in kief, each 1-gram ball tests at 67.34% THC and 78.34% total cannabinoids, with a rich 5.7% terpene profile that delivers complex, full-spectrum flavor. At $50, it's a premium souvenir-worthy experience. This is the kind of product you won't find everywhere — and it's distinctly New York.

THC

67.34%

Total

78.34%

Size

1g

Price

$50

View Product

Solventless

Bubble Hash

For visitors who appreciate traditional cannabis extraction, our Bubble Hash is made using only ice water and pressure — no solvents, no shortcuts. At 53.32% THC and 62.86% total cannabinoids, with a notable 6.2% terpene content, it's aromatic, flavorful, and a beautiful example of solventless craftsmanship. One gram retails for $44.

THC

53.32%

Total

62.86%

Size

1g

Price

$44

View Product

Concentrate

Diamond Powder

If you're an experienced cannabis consumer looking for something extraordinary, our Diamond Powder delivers. At 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids per gram, this is among the most potent concentrates you'll find anywhere in New York. It retails for $50 per gram. A small amount goes a very long way — we always recommend starting low and going slow, especially for visitors trying high-potency concentrates for the first time.

THC

86.24%

Total

98.54%

Size

1g

Price

$50

View Product

Vapes for Travel-Friendly Convenience

If portability and ease are your priority, our vape options are ideal. The Pink Stardust 510 Thread Vape Cartridge delivers 1 gram at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids for just $40 — simply attach it to any standard 510-compatible battery and you're ready. Our Alaskan Thunder Fuck 2G All-In-One Vape is a self-contained device with no accessories needed, 2 full grams, 82.46% THC, and 84.06% total cannabinoids, all for $80. Both are sustainably packaged and built for the kind of visitor who wants convenience without compromising quality. Please note: vape products are for use in permitted spaces only, and transportation on aircraft may be subject to airline and TSA rules.

Infused Flower

Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower

Our Papaya Wine Infused Flower is 3.5 grams of premium flower infused for maximum effect. At 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids, this is a full-experience product for flower lovers. It retails for $60 and is one of our most beloved items among repeat customers across New York State.

THC

37.32%

Total

42.90%

Size

3.5g

Price

$60

View Product

New York City has hundreds of cannabis brands competing for shelf space. We built Silly Nice because we knew there was room for something built on authenticity — not hype. As a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run business rooted in Brooklyn, every product we release is a reflection of who we are and what we believe quality cannabis should look and feel like. We don't cut corners. We don't make claims we can't back up. Every batch is independently lab-tested and every number on our packaging is real.

For visitors coming from Panama, we want your experience with New York's legal cannabis market to be safe, exciting, and memorable. Whether you pick up a Frosted Hash Ball as a unique NYC souvenir, grab a vape cartridge for easy enjoyment during your stay, or explore our concentrates for the first time in a legal retail environment, we want to be part of your New York City story.

NYC is a city unlike any other — and so is the cannabis we make here. Come find us. We're in over 150 licensed dispensaries across New York State, and we'd love to be the first name on your dispensary shopping list.