You're standing on a Burlington sidewalk with three dispensaries on your map.

Each has four-point-something stars.

Each has "friendly staff" in the reviews.

Four stars mostly tells you the parking was fine. Here's how to find out the rest.

We own one of the shops on your map, so weigh this accordingly. These are the checks we'd run on us.

What should you check before you walk in?

Look up the license. Vermont's Cannabis Control Board keeps a public list of licensed cannabis establishments, updated daily, on its licenses page. Search for the shop's name. If it's on the list, it's licensed to sell. If it isn't, don't buy there.

Ask for the lab results. A good shop can show you the lab report for the product in your hand. Check that the batch number matches the package. The lab's name should be there, along with potency and contaminant results. We keep ours on the Lab Analysis page, where each batch is tested by an independent, accredited lab.

Read the menu like a label. You should see the product name and the dose per piece. Ideally where it came from, too. A 100mg pack of 10 gummies is 10mg a piece. Menus that show only the package number leave you to do that math.

Read reviews for specifics. "Great place!" tells you nothing. Look for reviews that name a budtender, describe a question they answered, or mention what went wrong and how the shop handled it.

What should you ask the staff?

Ask a question you already know the answer to. Try "How long until I feel an edible?" Edibles take longer to land than most people expect, and the second dose usually goes in before the first one arrives. So the right answer is to wait. If you hear "take whatever you want," keep walking.

Say what you want, then notice who listens. Tell the budtender what you're going for tonight. Then see if they ask a follow-up question or just point at the strongest thing in the case.

Ask where it was grown. Vermont-grown flower exists, and the people who grew it have names. At our counter you'll hear the strain and the grower behind it. You should hear a straight answer anywhere.

Notice the clock. "Today only" pressure, or a nudge toward the biggest size on the shelf, is a sign to slow down. If the visit felt rushed, that's useful information.

What about everything around the product?

Check the parking. In Burlington, it's a real question, so find out before you drive over. We have plenty of free parking, and you can order ahead on the online menu to be in and out quickly.

Check the hours. Ours are Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 7pm, and Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

Ask what a point is worth. Loyalty programs only help if someone can tell you the math. Ours is 1 point per dollar spent, in store or online, and the Lift League page lays out what points get you. Ask any shop the same question.

What should you know once you leave?

Know the rules before the bag is in your hand. Adults 21 and older can carry up to an ounce of flower in Vermont, or the edible and vape equivalent. Use it on private property, never in public and never behind the wheel. Keep it in Vermont, because it can't cross state lines, even into another legal state. Our Vermont THC law guide covers the rest.

Should you visit more than one?

Yes. Go to two, ask each the same questions, and compare the answers. Most people find their shop within a visit or two. The right one gave you straight answers and didn't rush you.

If you want to run the checks on us, we're at 699 Pine Street, off Exit 13, open seven days. Bring a valid photo ID, since you need to be 21 or older. Ask for the lab results first.

Our Director of Education does free one-on-one consultations if you'd rather talk it through before you come in.