Brooklyn High Guide: NY's Weed Neighborhood

With over eight million residents, New York City cannot be confined to a single entity. In a city with five boroughs and deeply loyal alliances to each, many beloved destinations make them unique.

In Brooklyn, located on the western end of Long Island, rich cultural diversity, unprecedented access to iconic architecture, and a bustling art scene are among the residents’ most beloved aspects. Now that cannabis has been made legal throughout the city, there’s a whole new, hazy lens through which to enjoy your travels.

Here are some of the best spots in Brooklyn, NYC to spend a day stoned. 

Brooklyn High Guide 

Where to Buy Weed in Brooklyn: Cannabist

Image via Dispensary Genie 

While Cannabist is a national brand, it’s a long-awaited change for Brooklynites to enjoy the quality and selection available in other legal states like California and Colorado. Inside, you’re greeted by a hands-on, decidedly not doctor’s-office-like interior that’s a sight for sore eyes amongst many all-white, minimalistic design schemes. 

Despite its comfortable, lounge-like environment, Cannabist’s budtenders are highly trained (pardon the pun) to be absolute experts in every category of cannabis they sell – from bud to gummies and everything in between. Whether you’re a newbie or can rattle off your favorite terpenes in your sleep, you can trust that you’ll actually learn something when you step inside. 

Whether you’re relieving pain or lifting spirits, the shelves are stocked with some of the finest cannabis around the country. Grab whatever you’d like for the day and get ready to continue on your quirky journey. 

Where to Light Up: Talea Beer Garden

Image via TimeOut

Known for its vibrant pink and yellow exterior and diverse selection of craft beers, we’re heading to Talea Beer Garden in Cobble Hill to enjoy the quaint outdoor seating. Bring along your pre-roll from Cannabist to enjoy a leisurely smoke – as long as your neighbors don’t mind. 

Though best known for its brews, Talea also offers coffee, tea, wine, and cocktails depending on your preferred pairing. Take your time while you take in some of the best people-watching in the city.

Where to Find a Souvenier: Lolo

Image via The Shopkeepers

Is there anything better than shopping while a little stoned? Lolo is a charming boutique in Brooklyn known for its curated selection of everything from unique home decor items to stylish accessories and gifts. The brand’s focus on hand-made and thoughtfully designed pieces by emerging artists and designers is made evident through their eclectic, often one-of-a-kind offerings. 

They also frequently host community events like art exhibitions, workshops, and pop-up markets, so keep an eye on their Instagram for the most up-to-date news.

Where to Eat When High: Sahadi’s 

Once your high sets in and the munchies take hold, take a trip to Cobble Hill to be aromatically transported to the Middle East. Besides its status as a widely varied grocery store, there’s a deli counter serving crunchy yet tender falafel sandwiches, deeply flavorful hummus plates, and some of the best stuffed grape leaves in the city. From tabbouleh to baklava, there’s no shortage of variety for on-the-spot eats. 

But don’t leave without picking out some of their all-star ingredients for future meals like tahini, pomegranate molasses, and as many bags of lentils as you can carry.

Where to Embrace the Art Scene: The Brooklyn Museum 

Image via The Brooklyn Museum

A weedy expedition wouldn’t be complete without a trip to one of the city’s best art scenes: The Brooklyn Museum. One of the oldest (it was founded in 1895) — and largest – in the United States. It's renowned for its vast collection spanning thousands of years and representation of various cultures and artistic movements from around the world.

The museum's collection includes over 1.5 million works, from ancient Egyptian artifacts to renowned American artists like Norman Rockwell and Georgia O'Keeffe. One of the most interesting exhibits is Judy Chicago's "The Dinner Party,” a seminal feminist art piece celebrating the achievements of women throughout history through imagined place settings. 

Where to Enjoy Golden Hour: Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Via Brooklyn Botanic Garden

This beautiful and beloved institution is a 52-acre botanical garden located right in the heart of the borough. A welcome respite from the bustling concrete jungle outside the garden’s gate, the center is home to over 14,000 types of plants from around the world. A highlight of the collection is the Shakespeare Garden, where more than 80 kinds of plants mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare grow in an English cottage–style atmosphere.  Spring brings a lovely display of bulbs like daffodils and tulips. In summer, lettuces, berries, and herbs spring to life, surrounded by gorgeous borders of lilies and poppies.

Another highlight is one of the best spots to stop and smell the roses – literally – is the Cranford Rose Garden. Open since 1928, tens of thousands of blooms cascade over trellises and throughout pathways when they’re in peak bloom (which is in early June – plan accordingly).