Welcome to New York City — From Us at Silly Nice
If you're traveling to New York City from the United Arab Emirates, we want to be the first to say: welcome. This city is unlike anywhere else on earth — and honestly, neither are we. We're Silly Nice, a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand born right here in Brooklyn, NYC. We were founded by Shane Breen, a U.S. Army Veteran, and LeVar Thomas, his partner of 25 years, with one clear goal: to bring world-class, small-batch cannabis products to legal adult-use consumers across New York State. Since launching in March 2024, we've grown to 150+ licensed dispensaries statewide — and we couldn't be more proud of how far we've come. If you're visiting NYC and wondering how to navigate legal cannabis as an international tourist, you've landed in exactly the right place. This guide is written for you.
What Visitors from the UAE Need to Know About Cannabis Laws
We want to be completely upfront with you, because your safety and informed experience matter to us more than anything else. The United Arab Emirates has some of the strictest cannabis laws in the world. Possession, use, or trafficking of cannabis in the UAE carries serious criminal penalties, including imprisonment and deportation. This is a significant legal reality you should never take lightly. Cannabis is not legal in the UAE in any form — not recreationally, not medicinally — and the consequences of violating those laws are severe.
Here in New York City, the legal framework is entirely different. New York State 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 — can legally purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary while in New York. This is a right afforded to you as a visitor, full stop. However, that right begins and ends within New York State. Do not attempt to carry any cannabis product back to the UAE or through any international airport. Customs violations of this nature are extremely serious. Enjoy cannabis legally during your time in NYC, and leave it here when you go.
The Golden Rule: Keep It in New York
We say this with full respect and genuine care: what happens in a licensed NYC dispensary stays in NYC. Never cross any border — domestic or international — with cannabis products. Even traveling from New York to another U.S. state with cannabis can create legal complications depending on that state's laws. International travel with cannabis, especially to a country like the UAE, is not something anyone should attempt. Please enjoy our products responsibly within the legal boundaries of New York State.
New York's Adult-Use Cannabis Laws: A Quick Breakdown for Tourists
Here are the essential rules every tourist visiting NYC needs to understand before setting foot in a dispensary:
You must be 21 or older to purchase cannabis. Period. Bring your passport — it is accepted as valid government-issued photo ID at every licensed dispensary in New York. You can legally possess up to three ounces of cannabis flower, or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis products, in public at any one time. You cannot consume cannabis in public spaces, including sidewalks, parks (with some designated exceptions), restaurants, bars, or any indoor public setting. You also cannot consume cannabis in your hotel room in most cases, though some cannabis-friendly accommodations exist — check with your specific lodging. Never consume cannabis in a vehicle or while operating any form of transportation. These rules exist to protect everyone, and licensed dispensaries will remind you of them at the point of sale.
Cash vs. Card at NYC Dispensaries
Because cannabis remains federally illegal in the United States, many dispensaries operate primarily or entirely in cash. Some locations use cashless ATM systems or debit processing, but the simplest approach is to arrive with cash in hand. Most dispensaries also have an ATM on-site if needed. We recommend having U.S. dollars ready before you walk in — it makes your visit smooth, fast, and easy.
Hash has a long, rich cultural history across the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa. Many people from the UAE and neighboring regions grew up in cultures where hash — known as hashish — has been used for centuries. We understand and respect that context deeply. While cannabis in any form is illegal in the UAE, we know that when visitors from that part of the world come to a place where it is legal, they often gravitate toward hash as something familiar, culturally resonant, and premium.
At Silly Nice, we take hash seriously. We don't mass-produce it. We craft it in small batches using the finest cannabis inputs available in New York, with a level of care and intention that we believe rivals anything you'll find anywhere in the world. Our hash products are independently lab-tested, transparently labeled, and sustainably packaged. Here's what we offer:
Frosted Hash Ball
Our Frosted Hash Ball is the kind of product that makes people stop and stare. This is a single gram of handcrafted hash, pressed and finished with a frosted exterior that signals the quality inside. It comes in at 67.34% THC and 78.34% total cannabinoids, with an impressive 5.7% terpene content that delivers rich, complex aroma and flavor on every session. For visitors who appreciate a premium hash experience — something you can roll, crumble, or use in a pipe — the Frosted Hash Ball is our signature statement. Priced at $50 for 1g, it represents exceptional value for what you're getting.
THC
67.34%
Total
78.34%
Size
1g
Price
$50
Bubble Hash
Bubble Hash is made using an ice-water extraction process that separates the most potent trichome heads from the plant material — no solvents, no shortcuts, just water, ice, and craft. Our Bubble Hash comes in at 53.32% THC and 62.86% total cannabinoids, with 6.2% terpenes — the highest terpene content of any product in our lineup. That means flavor that hits you before anything else, followed by an experience as rich and full as the input material deserves. At $44 for 1g, our Bubble Hash is the accessible entry point into the Silly Nice hash world, and it consistently becomes a favorite among those who try it.
THC
53.32%
Total
62.86%
Size
1g
Price
$44
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Find Silly Nice Hash Near You in NYC
Hash may be where our heart is, but it's far from the only thing we do exceptionally well. Here's a look at the full Silly Nice lineup available at licensed NYC-area dispensaries:
Diamond Powder
Our Diamond Powder is the most potent product in our portfolio, coming in at a staggering 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids. This fine crystalline concentrate is pure, clean, and extraordinarily powerful. It's designed for experienced consumers who know what they're doing and want the best. If you've explored concentrates before and you want something that will genuinely impress you in New York, this is it.
THC
86.24%
Total
98.54%
Size
1g
Price
$50
510 Thread Vape — Pink Stardust
Our Pink Stardust 510 Vape Cartridge delivers 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids in a convenient, discreet format. It works with any standard 510-thread battery, which you can find at most dispensaries. This is a great option for visitors who want something easy to use without any setup or equipment knowledge required. Please remember: consumption in hotel rooms and public spaces is not permitted. Always find a legal, designated consumption space if one is available.
THC
81.96%
Total
88.36%
Size
1g
Price
$40
2G All-In-One Vape — Alaskan Thunder Fuck
The Alaskan Thunder Fuck 2G All-In-One is our best value vape offering — a rechargeable, self-contained device with 2 full grams of oil at 82.46% THC and 84.06% total cannabinoids. No battery needed, no cartridge required. Just charge it, and it's ready. For visitors making a short stay in NYC who want something that lasts, this is our top recommendation in the vape category.
THC
82.46%
Total
84.06%
Size
2g
Price
$80
Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower
For those who appreciate flower, our Papaya Wine Infused Flower is a 3.5g eighth that comes in at 51.22% THC and 58.63% total cannabinoids. It's flower infused with concentrates for an elevated experience that goes well beyond standard cannabis. If you're looking to share a session — in a legal, private setting — this is the product built for that.
THC
37.32%
Total
42.90%
Size
3.5g
Price
$60
Where to Find Silly Nice in New York City: Neighborhood Guide
We're in 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State, including dozens within the five boroughs. Whether you're staying in Midtown Manhattan, exploring Brooklyn's cultural neighborhoods, or venturing into Queens, there's a Silly Nice dispensary partner near you. Use our store locator at sillynice.com/store-locator to find the closest licensed retailer carrying our products in real time.
Manhattan — Midtown, Lower East Side & Beyond
Manhattan has a rapidly growing number of licensed dispensaries, particularly in Midtown, the Lower East Side, the East Village, and Chelsea. Many of them are modern, beautifully designed retail spaces with knowledgeable staff called budtenders who can walk you through our full product lineup. If you're staying in a Midtown hotel and want to explore legal cannabis without going far, Manhattan has you covered. Check our store locator for exact locations and hours.
Brooklyn — Our Home Borough
Brooklyn is home — literally. As a brand born in Brooklyn, we have deep roots in this borough, and you'll find Silly Nice products in multiple Brooklyn dispensaries across neighborhoods like Crown Heights, Flatbush, Williamsburg, and Bed-Stuy. Brooklyn is one of the most culturally vibrant, internationally diverse places on the planet, and the cannabis retail scene there reflects that richness. If your itinerary takes you to Brooklyn for its food, art, or culture — and it should — stop by a dispensary while you're there.
Queens — Gateway to NYC
Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse places on earth — and many visitors from the UAE and the broader Arab world feel immediately at home there. It's also home to JFK International Airport, meaning many visitors land directly in Queens. If you're staying in or passing through Queens, licensed dispensaries are accessible and available. Just remember, do not bring any cannabis products to the airport or attempt to travel with them. Visit a dispensary early in your trip, not on your way out.
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Use Our Store Locator to Find Silly Nice Near You
Practical Tips for Buying Cannabis in NYC as an International Visitor
We want your experience to be seamless, safe, and genuinely enjoyable. Here's a quick-reference guide of practical tips we'd give any friend visiting NYC for the first time and looking to explore legal cannabis:
Bring Your Passport
Your passport is your golden ticket. Every licensed dispensary in New York is required by law to verify age before any sale. Your UAE passport is a fully accepted form of government-issued photo ID. Don't leave your hotel without it when you're planning a dispensary visit. Without valid ID proving you are 21 or older, no licensed dispensary will sell to you — and rightly so.
Only Buy from Licensed Dispensaries
New York City has unfortunately seen a surge of unlicensed cannabis sellers — bodegas, street vendors, and pop-up shops operating illegally. These are not safe options. Products from unlicensed sources are untested, unregulated, and potentially dangerous. They also expose you to legal risk. Only shop at licensed adult-use dispensaries where every product on the shelf — including every Silly Nice product — has been independently lab-tested and approved by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. Our store locator only shows licensed retailers.
No Public Consumption
Consuming cannabis on NYC streets, in parks, on public transit, or in most hotels is illegal. You can be fined. Always consume in a private, legal setting. Some cannabis lounges and social consumption spaces are beginning to emerge in New York — ask your dispensary budtender about legal consumption options available near you during your visit.
Start Low, Go Slow
Our products are potent. We are transparent about every number on every label — that's a promise we make to every consumer. If you're newer to cannabis or haven't consumed in a while, please start with a smaller amount and give yourself time before consuming more. Cannabis affects everyone differently, and responsible consumption means pacing yourself. Our budtender partners at every dispensary are trained to help guide you through the right product and the right starting point.
A Message from Silly Nice to Every Visitor from the United Arab Emirates
We don't take lightly the fact that you've traveled thousands of miles to be here. New York City draws people from every corner of the world for a reason — it is one of the most alive, most dynamic, most genuinely free places on earth. And we, as a brand, are a reflection of that. We are a business built by two men — a Black Army Veteran and his partner of 25 years — who believed that they could build something beautiful, legal, and impactful in an industry that too often overlooked people like them.
When you choose Silly Nice, you're not just buying a cannabis product. You're supporting a small, independent, family-run business that pours everything into quality, transparency, and community. Every batch we produce is made with intention. Every number on our label — whether it's the 86.24% THC in our Diamond Powder or the 6.2% terpenes in our Bubble Hash — is real, tested, and verified. We don't cut corners. We don't inflate numbers. We don't make promises we can't keep.
To every visitor arriving in New York City from the UAE — whether you're here for business, tourism, family, or adventure — we extend a genuine, open-hearted welcome. We are proud to be part of your New York experience. Come find us at a dispensary near you. Talk to a budtender about our products. Try our Frosted Hash Ball or our Bubble Hash and see what small-batch, craft cannabis in New York truly tastes like. We think you'll be impressed.
New York is a city that belongs to everyone who walks its streets with curiosity and respect. And Silly Nice is a brand that was built with that same spirit. We're glad you're here. Explore responsibly, stay safe, and enjoy every moment of this city.
— Shane Breen & LeVar Thomas, Co-Founders, Silly Nice | Brooklyn, NYC
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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.