Your First Visit to The Garden Dispensary

What do I need to bring on my first visit?

Bring one valid, unexpired government photo ID and a way to pay. Ohio dispensaries accept any state driver’s license, a passport, or a military ID, including out-of-state IDs. The Garden takes cash, with an ATM on site at both stores, debit through a cashless ATM, and Spendr.

A learner’s permit does not count, and neither does a photo of your ID on your phone. The person at the door is checking the physical card, the birthdate, and the expiration date, every time, regardless of how many times you have visited before.

Standard credit cards do not work at Ohio dispensaries because of federal banking restrictions tied to cannabis, which is why cash and the cashless ATM debit option cover most of the counter. If you would rather skip carrying cash, Spendr is the digital option both stores support.

ID required

Valid government photo ID, no exceptions

Payment

Cash, debit via cashless ATM, or Spendr

Medical card

Not required for adult-use purchases

What happens when I check in at the counter?

Staff verify your ID, confirm you are 21 or older, and either hand you a paper menu or point you to the kiosks depending on the store. From there you either browse on your own or ask for a budtender, the staff member trained to answer product questions and ring up your order.

This is not a pharmacy counter and nobody is going to quiz you. Budtenders field first-timer questions all day, and the honest answer to "I have no idea what I want" is usually the fastest way to get a good recommendation.

If you already know a category you are curious about, name it. If you have zero idea, say that too, along with anything relevant: whether you smoke already, whether you want something you can use during the day, or whether you are just curious.

How do I decide what to buy my first time?

Start small and start with a format you already understand. A single pre-roll or a low-dose edible gives you a controlled first experience without committing to a large purchase. You can always come back and buy more once you know what you like.

Flower and pre-rolls are the most familiar starting point for people who have any prior experience, since the format itself is not new even if the specific product is. Our pre-roll guide breaks down single versus infused options if you want more detail before you go.

Edibles take longer to feel and are easy to overdo on a first try simply because nothing seems to be happening yet. The edibles dosing guide covers timing in plain terms, and it is worth reading before, not after, your first bite.

Should I use the lobby or the drive-thru?

Either works for a first visit, but the lobby lets you ask more questions and see product in person. The drive-thru, open daily from 9AM to 11PM at both stores, is built for people who already know what they want and would rather not leave the car.

If this is genuinely your first time and you want to look at packaging, smell test some flower strains, or talk through options at length, walk in. The lobby experience is set up for exactly that kind of browsing, and store hours run 9AM to 10PM daily.

Once you know your usual order, the drive-thru is the faster round trip. Build your order on the online menu ahead of time and our drive-thru walkthrough shows what to expect lane-side.

What should I expect to spend and how do rewards work?

Pricing changes with the menu and current specials, so check the live menu rather than a number you heard secondhand. Garden Rewards is free to join at either counter and earns points toward future discounts starting on your very first purchase.

There is no minimum purchase to sign up for rewards, and enrolling takes about a minute at checkout. Ask the budtender ringing you up, or see how the program works before you go.

First visit also means a first-time customer offer is worth checking before you order. Beyond that, both live menus for Camp Washington and Sycamore Township show current pricing so there are no surprises at the register.

Frequently Asked Questions