Welcome to New York City — From Us to You
We are Silly Nice. We are a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand built right here in Brooklyn, New York City. Our founders — Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas — have been partners for 25 years. We launched in March 2024, and in just over a year, our products are now available in 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State. When we started Silly Nice, we made a promise: to create premium, small-batch, independently lab-tested cannabis products that anyone walking through New York City — whether you were born here or flew in from Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban — could feel good about buying. If you're visiting New York City from South Africa and you're curious about the legal cannabis scene here, this guide is written specifically for you. Pull up a chair. Let's talk.
What You Need to Know: Legal Cannabis in New York City
New York State officially legalized adult-use recreational cannabis in March 2021 under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). That means any adult aged 21 or older — including international visitors and tourists — can legally purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary in New York State. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or a New York resident. You just need to be 21 years of age or older and have a valid government-issued photo ID to prove it.
What ID Do You Need as a South African Visitor?
Your South African passport is your golden ticket. Every licensed dispensary in New York City will accept a valid international passport as proof of age. Some may also accept a South African national ID card or driver's license, but to keep things smooth and stress-free, carry your passport. Dispensary staff — often called budtenders — are friendly, knowledgeable, and used to helping international visitors navigate the experience. Don't be shy about asking questions. That's what they're there for.
How Much Can You Legally Possess?
Under New York State law, adults 21 and older can legally possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis products at one time. For most visitors, the amount you'd purchase during a single dispensary trip is well within legal limits. Just remember: what you buy in New York is for use in New York. We'll get into that more when we talk about what South African law says about bringing cannabis home.
South Africa vs. New York City: What Visitors Should Understand About Cannabis Laws
We know many of our South African visitors are coming from a country where cannabis has its own complex legal history. In 2018, South Africa's Constitutional Court made a landmark ruling decriminalizing the private use and cultivation of cannabis for personal consumption by adults. In 2024, South Africa's Cannabis for Private Purposes Act came into further effect, allowing adults to use, possess, and cultivate cannabis privately. However — and this is crucial — South Africa does not have a legal, regulated commercial cannabis retail market in the way New York does. Purchasing from a licensed store, openly and legally, is a uniquely New York experience for many South African visitors.
Do Not Attempt to Take Cannabis Home to South Africa
This is non-negotiable. Do not attempt to travel internationally with cannabis — not on your person, not in your checked luggage, not anywhere. Transporting cannabis across international borders is a federal crime in the United States and a serious offense in most countries, including South Africa. Cannabis purchased in New York is for use in New York. Enjoy it responsibly during your visit and leave it behind. We mean that with full sincerity: the experience is here. The memories are yours to take home.
Where to Find Silly Nice Products in NYC: Neighborhoods and Dispensary Areas
Our products are carried in 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State, with strong coverage throughout New York City's five boroughs. Whether you're staying in Midtown Manhattan, exploring Brooklyn's brownstone neighborhoods, or heading out to Queens, you're never far from a dispensary that carries Silly Nice. Here's a neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown to help you plan your visit.
Manhattan: Midtown, Downtown, and Harlem
Manhattan is home to some of the city's most prominent licensed dispensaries, spread across neighborhoods like Midtown, Chelsea, the Lower East Side, and Harlem. If you're staying near Times Square or the major tourist corridors, you won't have to travel far. Many Manhattan dispensaries offer sleek, boutique-style retail experiences with knowledgeable staff and curated menus. Look for Silly Nice products on their shelves — our Diamond Powder, Frosted Hash Ball, and Bubble Hash are signature items that well-stocked dispensaries carry prominently.
Brooklyn: Our Home Borough
Brooklyn is home. Silly Nice was built in Brooklyn, and our roots run deep here. Brooklyn is also home to a growing number of licensed adult-use dispensaries spread across neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Crown Heights, Flatbush, Bed-Stuy, and Park Slope. If you're visiting Brooklyn for the food, art, and culture — and millions of international visitors do — you're already in our backyard. We'd love for you to pick up a Frosted Hash Ball or a gram of Bubble Hash while you're here. It's the most Brooklyn thing you can do.
Queens: Diversity and Dispensaries
Queens is the most ethnically diverse urban area on the planet, and it also has a growing dispensary scene. If you're flying into JFK or spending time in areas like Astoria, Jackson Heights, or Jamaica, there are licensed dispensaries in Queens where you can find Silly Nice products. Use our store locator at sillynice.com/store-locator to find the dispensary closest to wherever you're staying or exploring across the city.
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Our Hash Products: A Love Letter to Hash Culture
Hash has a long, storied history across cultures worldwide — from the mountains of Morocco and Afghanistan to the streets of Amsterdam, and yes, across the African continent. If you're a South African visitor with a deep appreciation for traditional hash, we think you're going to fall in love with what we've built. Silly Nice takes hash seriously. We craft our hash products with intention, using premium cannabis material and solventless and clean extraction methods that honor the craft. Here's what we carry:
Frosted Hash Ball
Our Frosted Hash Ball is 1 gram of handcrafted hash that we are genuinely proud of. It tests at 67.34% THC with 78.34% total cannabinoids and a remarkable 5.7% terpene content that delivers a rich, aromatic profile you'll notice the moment you open the packaging. Priced at $50, the Frosted Hash Ball is designed to be crumbled, rolled, or enjoyed however hash lovers prefer. For visitors from South Africa who appreciate traditional hash culture, this product is a natural fit. It's dense, potent, and built for those who know what quality looks and feels like.
THC
67.34%
Total
78.34%
Size
1g
Price
$50
Bubble Hash
Our Bubble Hash is made using a water-based, solventless process — no chemicals, no shortcuts. It comes in at 53.32% THC with 62.86% total cannabinoids and an impressive 6.2% terpene content, which is one of the highest terpene levels across our entire product line. At $44 for 1 gram, it's also our most accessible hash option. The high terpene content means the flavor and aroma profile are front and center from the first moment you engage with it. If you're a cannabis connoisseur who prioritizes the full sensory experience over raw potency numbers alone, Bubble Hash is your product. Solventless. Small-batch. Independently lab-tested. That's the Silly Nice standard.
THC
53.32%
Total
62.86%
Size
1g
Price
$44
While our hash products are among our most talked-about items, Silly Nice offers a full premium lineup for every type of cannabis consumer. Whether you're exploring concentrates for the first time or you're a seasoned enthusiast looking for something extraordinary, we've got you covered.
Diamond Powder
Our Diamond Powder is 1 gram of THCA crystalline concentrate testing at 86.24% THC and an extraordinary 98.54% total cannabinoids — the most potent item in our lineup. At $50, it's a premium concentrate for experienced consumers who know exactly what they're doing. Diamond Powder can be added to flower, mixed into other concentrates, or used in a dab rig. This is not a starter product — it's a statement product.
THC
86.24%
Total
98.54%
Size
1g
Price
$50
Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower
Our Papaya Wine Infused Flower is 3.5 grams of premium cannabis flower infused with concentrate, testing at 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids. At $60, it delivers a layered, elevated smoking experience that goes well beyond standard flower. The tropical, fruity notes of Papaya Wine make this a fan favorite for visitors who want something a little different from their dispensary run.
THC
37.32%
Total
42.90%
Size
3.5g
Price
$60
510 Thread Vape — Pink Stardust
For visitors who prefer vapor, we offer two options. Our Pink Stardust 510 Vape Cartridge is 1 gram at 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids, priced at $40 — a clean, discreet, and flavorful option that requires a compatible 510-thread battery. Our Alaskan Thunder Fuck 2G All-In-One (AIO) disposable vape is 2 grams at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids, priced at $80 — no battery required, fully self-contained, and perfect for visitors who want a ready-to-go option right out of the dispensary. Please note: vaping or smoking cannabis in public spaces in New York City is prohibited. Always consume responsibly and privately.
THC
81.96%
Total
88.36%
Size
1g
Price
$40
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Practical Tips for South African Visitors Buying Legal Cannabis in NYC
We want your dispensary experience to be seamless. Here are the practical things you need to know before you walk through the door of any licensed dispensary in New York City.
Always Bring Your Passport
Every dispensary in New York is legally required to verify that you are 21 years of age or older before they can sell you anything. Your South African passport is the most universally accepted form of international identification. Do not leave your accommodation without it if you plan to visit a dispensary. Some dispensaries may turn you away if you cannot provide valid photo ID proving your age — no exceptions, no workarounds.
Cash is Always Welcome — Cards Are Available at Many Locations
The cannabis industry in the United States still operates in a complex space when it comes to banking and credit card processing, due to federal law. As a result, many dispensaries are primarily cash-based operations, though a growing number now accept debit cards via in-store ATM-style payment systems. We recommend carrying cash when visiting a dispensary in NYC. Most will have an ATM on-site if you need to withdraw, but having cash ready makes the process faster and easier.
No Public Consumption — Know Where You Can Use
New York City law prohibits cannabis consumption in most public spaces, including streets, parks, subway platforms, hotel lobbies, and any area where tobacco smoking is also banned. Do not consume cannabis in public. Your best option as a visitor is to enjoy cannabis in a private space — such as a rental accommodation where the host permits it, or at a licensed consumption lounge if you can find one in the city. Always check the rules of wherever you're staying. And absolutely never consume cannabis and then operate a vehicle or any form of transportation. Enjoy responsibly and stay safe.
Only Buy from Licensed Dispensaries
New York City's cannabis legalization has unfortunately also created an environment where unlicensed sellers operate illegally. These illicit operators sell unregulated, untested products that could pose real safety risks. Always buy from a licensed, state-regulated adult-use dispensary. Every product on a licensed dispensary's shelf — including every Silly Nice product — has been independently lab-tested for potency, pesticides, and contaminants. Your safety matters to us. Buy legal. Buy tested. Buy from brands you can trust.
A Direct Welcome to Every Visitor from South Africa
We want to say this plainly and from the heart: we are honored that you are here in New York City, and we are proud to be part of the experience you'll carry home with you. Silly Nice was built by people who understand what it means to navigate the world as outsiders — as people who had to work twice as hard to be seen, to be trusted, to be taken seriously. Shane and LeVar built this brand with integrity, with love for community, and with a deep commitment to quality that every single product we put into market reflects.
South Africa and New York City share more in common than most people realize — both are places defined by cultural richness, resilience, creativity, and a fierce sense of identity. When you walk into one of our 150+ licensed dispensary partners and pick up a Frosted Hash Ball or a gram of Bubble Hash, you're not just buying a cannabis product. You're supporting a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned small business that was built with everything we had, right here in Brooklyn, New York.
We hope New York City is everything you dreamed it would be. We hope the food is incredible, the skyline takes your breath away, and that somewhere in this wild, beautiful city, you find a moment to slow down, breathe deep, and enjoy something truly exceptional. We made that something. We'd be glad to share it with you. Find your nearest Silly Nice retailer using our store locator, and come say hello.
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Written by LeVar Thomas
Co-Founder of Silly Nice — a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned New York cannabis brand. LeVar writes about hash, concentrates, dispensary culture, and the NYC cannabis community. Adults 21+ only.
