What to Look for in an NC Dispensary: 8 Key Signs

North Carolina has no state-level licensing or inspection requirements for hemp dispensaries. Anyone can open a shop and sell hemp-derived products. The FDA has documented 104 adverse event reports related to Delta-8 THC products alone, with 55% requiring emergency room visits or hospital admission (FDA, 2022). National poison control centers received 2,362 Delta-8 exposure cases in just over a year.

That doesn't mean dispensaries are dangerous. It means the difference between a good shop and a bad one matters more in NC than in states with mandatory licensing. Here are the 8 things that separate a dispensary worth your money from one you should walk out of.

TL;DR: NC has no mandatory dispensary licensing, so product quality varies widely. Look for: (1) third-party lab testing with accessible COAs, (2) knowledgeable staff who ask about your experience, (3) proper product labeling, (4) a real retail presence, (5) age verification, (6) transparent sourcing, (7) good online reputation, and (8) reasonable pricing. If a shop can't show you a Certificate of Analysis, leave (FDA, 2022).

1. Third-Party Lab Testing (The Non-Negotiable)

This is the single most important thing. Every product in a dispensary should have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an independent, third-party laboratory. Not the manufacturer's in-house test. Not a "lab tested" sticker with no backup. An actual report from an accredited lab.

A proper COA should include:

• Cannabinoid profile — confirms THC levels are within the legal 0.3% Delta-9 limit and shows actual potency
• Pesticide screening — tests for harmful chemicals used in cultivation
• Heavy metals testing — checks for lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium
• Residual solvents — especially important for concentrates and vape cartridges made through extraction
• Microbial contaminants — screens for mold, yeast, E. coli, and salmonella

How to check: Ask the staff for the COA on any product you're considering. Good shops will have them readily available — often through a QR code on the packaging or a binder at the counter. Some brands host COAs on their website. If a shop can't produce a COA or acts like your request is unusual, that's your signal to leave.

Shops like Sherlocks Glass & Dispensary and Carolina Hemp Hut stock products from brands with full COA transparency. For a deep dive on reading lab reports, see our complete COA guide.

2. Knowledgeable Staff

A budtender who just points you at the most expensive product isn't helping you. A good one asks questions before making recommendations:

• What effects are you looking for?
• Have you used THC before?
• Are you on any medications? (CBD can interact with certain drugs, particularly blood thinners)
• Do you prefer smoking, eating, or topical application?

Red flags:

• Staff can't explain the difference between Delta-8, Delta-9, and THCa
• They push the most expensive option without asking about your needs
• They can't answer basic questions about product sourcing or lab testing
• They make medical claims ("this cures anxiety" or "this treats pain")

Hemp products are not FDA-approved medications. Any shop making specific medical claims is violating federal law and probably isn't trustworthy on other fronts either.

Good examples: Trek CBD in Raleigh emphasizes education and personalized guidance. Modern Apotheca pairs dispensary shopping with a welcoming cafe environment. Emerald Medicine Company in Durham takes an alternative medicine approach with knowledgeable staff.

3. Proper Product Labeling

Legal hemp products should have clear labels showing:

• Product name and type
• Cannabinoid content (how many milligrams of THC, CBD, etc.)
• Serving size and number of servings
• Batch or lot number (this links to the COA)
• Manufacturer name and contact information
• "Hemp-derived" designation
• Child-resistant packaging

Red flags: Products with no labeling, labels that don't match the COA, packaging that imitates candy brands (the FDA specifically warned about this after issuing a warning letter to NC Hemp Shoppe in 2023 for selling products in packaging mimicking children's snacks), or products with unrealistic potency claims.

4. A Real Retail Presence

This one's simple. A good dispensary looks like a real business:

• Clean, organized store
• Proper signage
• Dedicated retail space (not a corner of a gas station)
• Working website with hours and location
• Active Google Business listing with reviews

That doesn't mean it needs to be fancy. Some of the best shops are no-frills. But there's a visible difference between a dedicated dispensary like Nature's Releaf or The Hemp Company and a vape counter at a convenience store that started selling gummies last month.

Governor Stein noted in June 2025 that "today all across North Carolina, there are unregulated intoxicating THC products available for purchase: just walk into any vape shop" (Governor's Office, 2025). The proposed Chapter 18D legislation would establish mandatory licensing and retail standards. Until then, a shop's physical presence says a lot about its commitment to doing things right.

5. Age Verification

NC has no state law setting a minimum age for hemp purchases. That may change — the proposed Chapter 18D framework includes a 21+ requirement — but for now, age policies are voluntary.

Paradoxically, a shop that does check your ID is a better sign than one that doesn't. Voluntary age verification signals that a shop takes compliance and responsibility seriously. It's one of several indicators that a business is operating as if regulations already exist, rather than cutting every corner they legally can.

All of these shops check ID: Sherlocks, Carolina Hemp Hut, Modern Apotheca, Hempie's, and most other dedicated dispensaries in the Triangle.

6. Transparent Product Sourcing

Where do the products come from? A good dispensary can tell you:

• Who manufactures the products they sell
• Where the hemp is grown (domestic vs. imported)
• How extracts are made (CO2 extraction, ethanol extraction, etc.)
• Whether the brand is reputable and established

Some shops carry products from known, established brands. Others, like Carolindica, are vertically integrated — they formulate, manufacture, and package everything in-house right here in Raleigh. That level of control over the supply chain is a strong quality signal.

Red flags: Products with no identifiable manufacturer, brands with no online presence, extremely cheap products from unknown sources, or staff who can't tell you anything about where products come from.

7. Online Reputation

Check Google reviews before you visit. In the Triangle, the top-reviewed dispensaries have earned their reputation over hundreds of verified reviews:

• Sherlocks Glass & Dispensary — 4.9 stars, 853+ reviews
• Carolina Hemp Hut — 4.8 stars, 412+ reviews
• Hempie's — IndyWeek Best of the Triangle 2025 (IndyWeek, 2025)
• Aloha Plus Cannabinoids — Voted Best CBD Store 4 years running

Look for patterns in reviews. Consistent mentions of helpful staff, clean environment, and quality products are positive signals. Recurring complaints about product quality, rude staff, or inability to provide lab results are serious warning signs.

Local awards matter too. The IndyWeek Best of the Triangle awards, Raleigh Magazine's "Best of" lists, and Google's star ratings are all useful filters because they represent real community validation.

8. Fair, Transparent Pricing

Good products cost money, but extreme pricing in either direction is a flag:

• Too cheap may signal low-quality or untested products. If a THCa eighth is $15 when competitors charge $35–$60, something is off.
• Too expensive without justification (premium brand, unique product, verified lab testing) means you're overpaying.

Competitive pricing for common products in the Triangle:

• Pre-rolls: $5–$15
• Edible gummies (pack): $15–$40
• THCa flower (⅛ oz): $30–$60
• Vape cartridges: $25–$50
• CBD tinctures: $30–$70

Some shops offer first-time customer discounts. Sherlocks gives new customers 10% off their first visit. Ask about deals when you check out — many shops don't advertise every promotion.

A Note on Gas Stations and Convenience Stores

You've probably seen Delta-8 gummies or THCa products at gas stations, vape shops, or convenience stores. While these products may technically be legal, the risk profile is significantly higher:

• No guarantee of lab testing
• No specialized staff to guide you
• Products may sit in hot environments that degrade quality
• Packaging quality is often lower
• No relationship with the brands they sell

In April 2024, Onslow County's "Operation Vapor Trail" raided 71 vape shops across six NC counties, seizing over 3,000 pounds of THC products (Port City Daily, 2024). The raids targeted shops operating in regulatory gray areas — not dedicated dispensaries with proper compliance practices.

Stick to dedicated dispensaries. Browse our Triangle dispensary directory to find verified retailers near you.

What's Changing: The Regulatory Landscape

NC is moving toward mandatory dispensary regulation. The proposed Chapter 18D legislation would establish:

• Mandatory state licensing for all hemp product retailers
• Required third-party lab testing for all products sold
• A 21+ age requirement (currently voluntary)
• Product packaging and labeling standards
• Restrictions on product types and potency levels

At the federal level, P.L. 119-37 (signed November 2025) redefines hemp using total THC content, effective November 12, 2026. This will fundamentally change what products are available, making the quality of the shop you choose even more important during the transition. Read our full analysis of how federal law affects hemp products in NC.