Welcome to New York City — From Us at Silly Nice
If you've made the journey from Zambia to New York City, first — welcome. We're genuinely glad you're here. This city is extraordinary, and we think your experience in it should be too. We are Silly Nice, a Black-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, family-run cannabis brand born right here in Brooklyn, NYC. Our founders, Shane Breen — a proud U.S. Army Veteran — and LeVar Thomas have been partners for 25 years. Together, they built Silly Nice from the ground up, launching in March 2024 with a singular mission: to craft small-batch, lab-tested, premium cannabis products that reflect the same hustle, heart, and standard of excellence that defines this city.
We know that for visitors coming from Zambia, navigating cannabis culture in New York City can feel unfamiliar. The laws are different here. The retail experience is different. The products are different. That's exactly why we wrote this guide — to help you understand what's legal, what's available, where to go, and why Silly Nice should be at the top of your list when you're ready to explore New York's legal cannabis market.
Understanding Cannabis Laws in New York City for International Visitors
New York State legalized adult-use recreational cannabis in 2021 through the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). Since then, licensed dispensaries have opened across the five boroughs and throughout the state, giving adults legal access to cannabis flower, concentrates, vapes, edibles, hash, and more. As of today, Silly Nice products are available in 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries statewide — meaning you have real options wherever you're staying in the city.
Who Can Purchase Cannabis in NYC?
The rule is simple and non-negotiable: you must be 21 years of age or older to purchase cannabis at any licensed dispensary in New York. This applies to everyone — residents, domestic travelers, and international visitors alike. There are no exceptions. Dispensary staff will ask to see a valid, government-issued photo ID at the point of purchase. As a visitor from Zambia, your passport is your best form of identification, and we strongly recommend carrying it with you whenever you plan to visit a dispensary. A Zambian national ID may not always be accepted, so your passport is the safest and most universally recognized document to bring.
What Zambian Visitors Should Know About Cannabis Laws Back Home vs. NYC
We want to be straightforward with you, because we respect you as a guest in our city. Cannabis remains illegal in Zambia under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and penalties for possession or use can be serious. What you do in New York City under its legal framework is your business and your right as a visiting adult — but it's important to understand that those rights do not travel home with you. You cannot bring cannabis across international borders. Attempting to transport cannabis from New York to Zambia — or through any airport customs checkpoint — is a federal crime in the United States and would expose you to severe consequences in Zambia as well. Enjoy what New York offers legally while you're here, and leave it here when you go.
Practical Tips for Buying Legal Cannabis in NYC as a Visitor
New York's dispensary experience is designed to be welcoming, professional, and safe. Whether this is your first time walking into a cannabis store or you're a seasoned consumer visiting from abroad, here's what you need to know before you go.
Bring Your Passport
As we mentioned, your passport is your golden ticket at the dispensary door. Every licensed dispensary in New York is required to verify age before any sale. Don't show up without it. Tuck it in a secure bag or money belt and make it part of your daily carry when you're exploring the city.
Cash Is King — But Cards Are Welcome Too
Most dispensaries in New York City are cash-friendly, and many have ATMs on-site. Because cannabis is still federally illegal in the United States, some dispensaries operate primarily on cash transactions or use debit-style payment processing. We recommend stopping at an ATM before you head in, just to be safe. That said, many modern dispensaries do accept debit cards, so check the specific store's website or call ahead if you're unsure.
No Public Consumption
This is critical. While purchasing cannabis is legal in New York, consuming it in public spaces — on the sidewalk, in parks, near schools, or in any establishment that doesn't have a specific consumption license — is not permitted. You also cannot smoke cannabis in any space where cigarette smoking is prohibited. Always consume in a private setting, such as your hotel room (check the hotel's policy first), a licensed consumption lounge, or a private residence. Never consume cannabis and then get behind the wheel of a car or any vehicle. Respect the local laws and you'll have a seamless, enjoyable experience.
Where to Find Silly Nice Across New York City's Neighborhoods
One of the things we're most proud of is our reach. Since launching in March 2024, Silly Nice has grown to 150+ licensed adult-use dispensaries across New York State — and a strong concentration of those are right here in the five boroughs. Whether you're staying in Midtown Manhattan, exploring Brooklyn, or passing through Queens, there's a good chance a licensed dispensary carrying our products is closer than you think.
Manhattan: From Midtown to Downtown
Manhattan is where most international visitors spend their first hours — and it's loaded with licensed dispensaries. Areas like Midtown, Chelsea, the Lower East Side, and Harlem have seen a strong growth in licensed cannabis retail. If you're near Times Square, Central Park, or Wall Street, you're almost certainly within walking distance of a dispensary that carries Silly Nice. Look for clean, professional storefronts with state licensing clearly displayed — these are the spots you want.
Brooklyn: Our Home Borough
Brooklyn is home. It's where we built this brand, and it's where our heart lives. Neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Crown Heights, Flatbush, Bed-Stuy, and Park Slope all have licensed dispensary options that carry our products. If you're making the trip across the bridge to experience Brooklyn's culture, food, and art — and you absolutely should — plan a stop at a local dispensary while you're there. The experience of buying cannabis in Brooklyn, from a brand that was born in Brooklyn, hits different.
Queens: The World's Borough
Queens is one of the most culturally diverse places on earth — which means it feels a little bit like home for almost everyone. Areas like Jamaica, Flushing, Astoria, and Jackson Heights are expanding their cannabis retail presence. If you're flying into JFK or LaGuardia and spending time in Queens before or after your city adventures, use our store locator to find the closest dispensary carrying Silly Nice products near you.
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Find a Silly Nice Dispensary Near You in NYC
Let's talk hash. For visitors from Zambia and across the African continent, hash is a familiar and respected cannabis tradition — a concentrated form of cannabis resin that's been enjoyed across cultures for centuries. What we've done at Silly Nice is take that ancient tradition and meet it with modern extraction science, small-batch precision, and independent lab testing. Every single batch of our hash is tested before it reaches a shelf. We don't cut corners. We don't inflate numbers. What you see on the label is exactly what's in the product.
Frosted Hash Ball
Our Frosted Hash Ball is one of the most visually striking and uniquely satisfying hash products on the New York market. Hand-pressed into a dense, frosted sphere, this 1-gram hash ball packs 67.34% THC, 78.34% total cannabinoids, and an exceptional 5.7% terpene content that gives it a rich, layered aromatic profile you'll appreciate the moment you open the package. For visitors who love traditional hash but want to experience the quality ceiling of New York's legal market, this is the product to reach for. It's $50 for 1 gram — a fair price for something this carefully crafted.
THC
67.34%
Total
78.34%
Size
1g
Price
$50
Bubble Hash
If terpenes are your priority — and they should be, because terpenes are what give cannabis its distinctive character — our Bubble Hash is exceptional. Made through an ice-water extraction process that preserves the plant's natural terpene profile, this 1-gram product clocks in at 53.32% THC, 62.86% total cannabinoids, and a standout 6.2% terpene content — the highest of any product in our lineup. Bubble Hash is ideal for those who appreciate the full aromatic and sensory complexity that well-crafted cannabis can offer. At $44, it's also our most accessible hash option. Crumble it, layer it, or enjoy it on its own — it's versatile, beautiful, and deeply satisfying.
THC
53.32%
Total
62.86%
Size
1g
Price
$44
Our Full Product Lineup — There's Something for Every Kind of Visitor
Hash is our pride, but it's not our only offering. Silly Nice carries a full range of premium products, each independently lab-tested, small-batch crafted, and sustainably packaged. Here's a look at everything you might find at a licensed dispensary carrying our line:
Diamond Powder
Diamond Powder is for those who want to experience the absolute peak of cannabis concentration. At 86.24% THC and 98.54% total cannabinoids, this THCA crystalline concentrate is one of the most potent products legally available in New York. It's designed for experienced consumers who understand their tolerance and want something extraordinary. One gram at $50.
THC
86.24%
Total
98.54%
Size
1g
Price
$50
Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower
Our Papaya Wine Infused Flower is a 3.5-gram experience unlike standard cannabis flower. We take premium flower and infuse it with additional concentrates, pushing the total cannabinoid content to 58.63% and the THC to 51.22%. The result is a richly aromatic, slow-burning, deeply layered smoke that cannabis enthusiasts absolutely love. At $60 for 3.5 grams, it's the kind of product you'll be talking about long after you've left New York.
THC
37.32%
Total
42.90%
Size
3.5g
Price
$60
510 Thread Vape — Pink Stardust
For visitors who prefer a cleaner, more discreet consumption method, our Pink Stardust 510 Vape Cartridge is the move. At 81.96% THC and 88.36% total cannabinoids, this 1-gram cartridge delivers potent, consistent draws that fit seamlessly into city life. You'll need a 510-thread battery, which most dispensaries also carry. At just $40 for 1 gram, it's also one of the best values in our lineup.
THC
81.96%
Total
88.36%
Size
1g
Price
$40
2G All-In-One Vape — Alaskan Thunder Fuck
Our Alaskan Thunder Fuck 2G All-In-One disposable vape is perfect for visitors who want to keep things simple. No batteries, no cartridges — just 2 full grams of 82.46% THC, 84.06% total cannabinoid oil in a sleek, self-contained device ready to go right out of the package. For $80, you're getting exceptional value and a product that will last across multiple sessions during your NYC stay.
THC
82.46%
Total
84.06%
Size
2g
Price
$80
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Explore the Full Silly Nice Menu
Why Silly Nice — Why Does It Matter Where You Buy?
This is a fair question, and we'll answer it honestly. New York's legal cannabis market is large and growing fast. There are dozens of brands on dispensary shelves, and not all of them are built the same way. When you buy Silly Nice, you're not just buying a product — you're supporting a brand that was built with real intention. We are Black-owned and Veteran-owned in a market where those voices have historically been shut out. We are LGBTQ+-owned and family-run. We launched in March 2024, and in under a year, we built our way into 150+ licensed dispensaries by earning it — not by cutting corners, not by compromising quality, and not by chasing trends.
Every product we make is independently lab-tested, meaning a third party verifies every potency number and cannabinoid profile you see on our packaging. We don't invent numbers. We don't approximate. We package in small batches to maintain consistency and quality control, and we design our packaging to be sustainable because we believe in leaving things better than we found them. When you spend your money at a dispensary and choose Silly Nice off the shelf, you're making a choice that supports real people who built something real.
A Direct Welcome to Our Visitors from Zambia
Zambia and New York City are separated by thousands of miles, but the people who travel between them carry something powerful — curiosity, ambition, and a desire to experience the world fully. We see you. We honor that journey. New York City is one of the greatest cities on Earth precisely because it belongs to everyone who comes to it with an open heart and a sense of wonder. You belong here. And while you're here, we want you to have the very best of what this city and this legal cannabis market have to offer.
Our Bubble Hash and Frosted Hash Ball are products we're deeply proud of — hash made with care, tested with precision, and available legally at licensed dispensaries across the boroughs. Whether you're here for a week or a month, whether this is your first time in New York or your tenth, we'd be honored to be part of your experience. Use our store locator at sillynice.com/store-locator to find the licensed dispensary nearest to you, walk in with your passport, ask about Silly Nice by name, and let the budtender guide you to the right product for what you're looking for.
From Shane, LeVar, and everyone in the Silly Nice family — welcome to New York City. We're glad you made it here. Now let's make your time in this city unforgettable.
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Find Silly Nice at a Licensed NYC Dispensary Near You
Topics
Silly Nice · Brooklyn, NYC
Black-Owned · Veteran-Owned · LGBTQ+-Owned. Founded by Shane Breen (U.S. Army Veteran) and LeVar Thomas — partners for 25 years. Adults 21+ only.