Finding THC Nearby: Essential Tips, Top Brands, & Warning Signs

Buying THC doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult, but there are things to be aware of — such as local laws and some know-how on avoiding scams.

If you live where recreational marijuana is legal, you have plenty of options, and they’re usually solid. Legal states tend to have strict regulations regarding all things weed. Hemp products don’t fall under those laws, though, so don’t assume everything that gets you high is safe.

For everyone else, the options aren’t great. There are few laws in place that protect the consumer.

I’ll go over how to sort the good from the bad and also list our favorite places to shop.

THC Near Me: Companies That Ship THC in the US

These vendors are not the only quality sources of THC, but they’re the ones we tend to order from the most.

Always do your research on a company before you buy. Reading reviews like this is a good start, but also sort through places like Reddit and Bluelight forums to see how previous users think about their order.

1. Area 52

You’ll be hard-pressed to find another company as dedicated and qualified as Area 52. The founder, a biochemist, and the rest of the team believe cannabis and other plants are a tool we can use for personal growth, creativity, and higher levels of thought.

THC Products Offered by Area 52:

UFO MAX Gummies — 15 mg delta-9 THC + CBD, CBC & other trace cannabinoids.
UFO Gummies (Original) — 5 mg delta-9 THC + CBD, CBC, & more.
UFO Full-Spectrum Tincture — High-potency liquid THC.
Magic Pluto Mushroom Gummies — Amanita muscaria mushrooms + delta-9 THC
Delta-8 Gummies — Pure, high-quality delta-8 THC.
Delta-8 THC Pre-Rolls — Blended with high-grade organic hemp flower.
Delta-8 THC Tincture — 1200 mg THC per bottle (40 mg per dropper).
Hyperdrive HHC Gummies — 25 mg pure HHC.
HHC Pre-Rolls — 80 mg HHC per joint.
Delta-8 THC Honey — Amazonian killerbee honey with delta-8 THC.

What we like about this brand:

✅ All hemp sourced from local American farms with origin tracing.
✅ All products made using high-grade supercritical CO2.
✅ Stellar corporate ethos — premium products or get out.
✅ All-natural ingredients and flavorings (mostly cannabis-derived terpenes).
✅ Also carries a selection of magic mushroom products.
✅ If they wouldn’t use it, they won’t sell it. Rigid quality control, including third-party lab testing, means you get the best of the best.
✅ 30-Day NO BS money-back guarantee.

Shop Area 52

2. Moonwalkr

The goal at MoonWalkr is to push the boundaries with hemp, and they do just that. They carry a good selection of cannabinoids, including rarer ones like THCV, THCP, and HHC, in gummies, vapes, and tinctures. Their custom blends are crafted to meet a variety of needs, whether you want something for sleep, anxiety, pain, relaxation, or energy.

THC Products Offered by Moonwlkr:

THCA Pre-Rolls — Basically raw, unprocessed hemp flower.
Microdose Gummies — Lion’s Mane + THC.
D8:D9 Gummies — A 50/50 blend of the two most popular THC products.
Delta-8 Gummies — Simple D8 with 25 mg per piece.
Delta-9 THC Gummies — Made from legal hemp extract (<0.3% D9 THC), 10 mg dose.
THCP Blend Gummies — A combination of D9, D8, and THCP.
Delta-8 THC Disposables — Convenient and cheap delta-8 pens.

What we like (and dislike) about this brand:

✅ The gummies taste great, are vegan, and are flavored with terpenes and natural flavors.
✅ You can find all the third-party lab results on the website.
✅ Lots of positive reviews for this brand online.
✅ Excellent variety of THC and other cannabinoid products — there’s something for everybody.
❌ Lots of modified cannabinoid products (some risk to these products).

Shop MoonWlkr

3. Tre House

Tre House is one of the largest companies in the THC space, but they seemed to come out of nowhere. Just 2 years ago nobody had heard of this brand, now they’re dominating the US market.

We like Tre House because of its exceptional selection and relatively high quality compared to other high-sku brands like 3Chi or Delta Extrax. These guys have a lot to offer, yet everything seems to be cleverly formulated and tested prior to release. Quality is high, taste is good, and the company is fast to respond to questions or issues with orders.

If you like trying out different kinds of cannabinoids, Tre House is a great place to start.

However, if you’re more interested in companies that carry whole-plant extracts, rather than modified noids, you’re better off with a brand like Cycling Frog instead.

THC Products Offered by Tre House:

Delta-9 THC & CBD Gummies — A classic blend of the two most prominent cannabinoids.
HHC & THCP Gummies — These gummies are very strong, but rely on modified cannabinoids (caution advised).
HHC Gummies — Simple HHC gummies. Legal in roughly 50% of the US.
THCA Gummies — Pure, unadulterated hemp extract. Very potent, but expensive.
Delta-10 THC Gummies — Pure D10 as well as D10, HHC, and D9 blends.
Delta-8 THC Gummies — Pure gummies as well as blends with HHC, D9, and more.
Live Rosin THC Vape Pens — Terpene-rich THC pens in all different combinations.
Delta-9 THC Syrup — A unique product likely designed to imitate the effects of lean.

What we like (and dislike) about this brand:

✅ Exceptional array of THC products to choose from. Something for everyone.
✅ Also carries a variety of magic mushroom products.
✅ Excellent track record. If you don’t like what you bought, return it without hassle.
❌ Lots of modified cannabinoids in these products.

Visit Tre House

4. Cycling Frog Artisan Extracts

Cycling Frog is a small but old company in the hemp space. From the beginning, this brand has been hyperfocused on producing very high-grade, raw hemp extracts. They don’t do any modified cannabinoids like delta-8, HHC, or THCP — just raw delta-9, CBD, CBN, etc.

THC Products Offered by Cycling Frog:

THC Seltzers — A unique drinkable THC. Perfect for making cannabis cocktails.
Delta-9 THC Gummies — Available in both 5 mg and 10 mg versions. Very high quality.
THC & CBD Softgels — An oldie but goldie. These have been around for years now.
THC Mints — A bit gimmicky, but if you take 5 or 6, you’ll definitely feel the THC.
THC Gummies — Many flavor options are available. All are made from high-grade hemp.
Live Resin Gummies — Delicious terpy flavor and potent effects.

What we like (and dislike) about this brand:

✅ Everything is made from high-grade organic hemp. No modified or synthetic cannabinoids from this company.
✅ Delicious flavors — you can’t really go wrong.
✅ Classy and ethical company. Great style, great formulation, & exceptional company ethos.
✅ Rock-solid 60-day return policy.
❌ Relatively small collection compared to other brands on this list.

Visit Cycling Frog

5. Koi CBD

Koi CBD started in 2017 with purely CBD products but has since branched out to include all kinds of THC and trace cannabinoids. They even carry an Amanita muscaria gummy these days.

Koi is a safe bet if you’re looking for a brand that offers a decent selection of product categories but won’t break the bank. We wouldn’t consider these products the absolute highest quality by any means, but they’re cheap, effective, and come with all the safeguards you should expect from a reputable brand in this space (third-party labs, solid return policy, corporate transparency).

THC Products Offered by Koi CBD:

THCA Pre-Rolls — Available in blueberry gum (indica), guava haze (sativa), super lemon haze (indica), watermelon zkittlez (hybrid), and wedding cake (hybrid) strains.
Dragon Blend Gummies — The company’s strongest gummy made with delta-9, delta-8, and THCP.
THCA + THCP Disposable Vapes — Very potent vapes designed to be legal in all 50 states.
Delta-8 THC Gummies — Simple D8 gummies made with 25 mg per piece.
Delta-9 THC Gummies — Combines 10 mg D9 THC with 20 mg CBD.
THCA Flower — Available in a wide range of rotating strains, including gary payton, zoap, oreoz, lemon cherry gelato, gasanova, banana cream, and more.
THCV & ACV Gummies — This formula is designed to curb hunger cravings using the cannabinoid THCV and apple cider vinegar.
Delta-8 THC Tinctures — A simple, 1000 mg tincture made with pure delta-8 THC extract.

What we like (and dislike) about this brand:

✅ Wide selection of natural and modified cannabinoids.
✅ Excellent track record and plenty of positive reviews online.
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee on all products.
❌ Some of the recent third-party lab tests our outdated or incomplete.

Visit Koi CBD

Buying THC Online vs. Locally

First, we need to have a heart-to-heart about buying THC from your local head shop.

Yes, we love to support local businesses, and yes, they can be a good option. But you probably won’t find the quality, selection, and prices that you will find online.

If you can spare the shipping time, here’s why shopping online works in your favor.

1. Better Quality

Do you know how long those THC gummies have been sitting on the store shelf? What about that vape pen? These products deteriorate over time, especially if they aren’t stored properly, and there’s no guarantee of how they were treated during shipping or while at the store.

A reputable online vendor knows how to handle its products and takes great care to make sure they reach you in peak condition.

Some online vendors even offer a money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.

2. Easier to Vet

That brings us to the next point. How do you know if a vendor is trustworthy or not? I’ll explain below, but it’s much easier to tell when you can skim details on a website. You can look up information for the products you find in a store, but you probably won’t have access to things like lab reports and customer reviews.

3. Lower Prices

Online vendors don’t have high overhead costs, which directly impacts how much you pay. Local stores try to make up for this by offering discounts to repeat customers, but the savings usually pale in comparison to online prices.

Even with shipping costs (when those are applicable; many vendors offer it for free)

4. More Selection

Stores only have so much shelf space, and they have to carry what’s popular. Shopping locally means you’re limited to what those stores sell. Buying online means you can shop from many more vendors, which gives you nearly endless options.

5. All-Around Easier

You could spend the time driving around, shopping for what you want during store hours, or you could sit at home and do it whenever you want. Ultimately, shopping online is much more convenient. The only drawback is shipping time.

How to Find Good THC: Near You or Online

Use the following tips to vet a brand, whether it’s online or down the street from you.

1. Look for the Almighty Third-Party Lab Tests

Yes, lab testing is that important. How else will you know what’s in the product? Because there are so few regulations in most places, those products could contain about anything — including chemicals, bacteria, or harmful additives. Or, they could be fake and contain no cannabinoids. Regardless, not fun.

Look for the lab tests. It’s not enough for a company to say they do it. There should be proof because, as Abraham Lincoln used to say, ” We can’t believe everything we read on the internet.” Wise words, Abe.

2. Consider Other People’s Opinions

I bet you’ve heard it doesn’t matter what people think. Who cares what they say? You do you.

But I’m here to tell you it’s a lie. We should care what people think — when it comes to product reviews. Everything else? No.

The company website and social media pages aren’t the best places to look for reviews, though they can tell a lot. Not every vendor buys good reviews, and if they do, it’s usually obvious after you read through a dozen.

People often post unashamedly honest reviews on Reddit, TrustPilot, and other similar websites.

3. Trust Your Gut

These are starting to sound like mental health tips, but yes, trust your gut when it comes to vendors, relationships, and hairstyles. Your body might be trying to tell you something.

Most of us have walked into a business or checked out a website only to feel like it’s….off. Like there’s something not quite right there.

It’s okay to accept it and go with it. If you look closer, you’ll probably see why. Maybe the store is really dirty, or the products are outdated. Maybe the website has misspelled words or blurry pictures that look very unprofessional. These are signs that whoever is running the business doesn’t care too much, so they likely don’t care about the quality of their products, either.

Types of THC & Their Differences

There are quite a few THC variations around, and, truth be told, they’re quite similar.

It’s good to know what’s what, so I’ll break them down here.

THC Type	Effects	Side Effects	Legality
Delta-9 THC	Produces psychoactive effects, euphoria, relaxation, increases socialness	Paranoia, anxiety, dry mouth, red eyes, the munchies, couch-lock	Schedule I substance, when derived from cannabis
Delta-8 THC	Similar to D9 but about half as potent and more calming	Similar to D9 but less likely to cause anxiety	Unregulated federally, but some states have banned or restricted it
Delta-10 THC	Similar to D8, but less potent; energizing for some people	Similar to D8	Unregulated federally, but some states have banned or restricted it
THC-O	Similar to D9 but about 30 times more potent	Vaping can be harmful, increasing the risk of paranoia, anxiety, and discomfort; it’s easy to overdo it.	Federally, it could be controlled, and some states have banned it
THCA	No psychoactive effects; can reduce inflammation and symptoms of IBS; is neuroprotective	Few side effects	Unregulated, but check local laws
THCP	Effects are about 30x stronger than D9	Higher risk of adverse effects	Unregulated federally, but some states have banned or restricted it
THCV	No psychoactive effects; reduces appetite, increases metabolism, might help with anxiety and seizures.	Few side effects	Unregulated
HHC	Potency varies, but effects are similar to D9; gives a more energizing, clear-headed high.	Short-term effects are similar to THC, but long-term effects are largely unknown.	Could be a controlled substance federally; some states have banned it.

Since the THC variants are so similar, what’s best will depend on your goal.

If it’s purely recreational, most will do the trick; it’s a matter of how high you want to get. THCP (tetrahydrocannabiphorol) and THC-O are much stronger than delta-9, but they’re riskier since there’s so little research on them. In fact, it might be dangerous to vape THC-O because it’s an acetate and could produce ketene when heated. This toxic gas can irritate the lungs or cause more serious complications like central nervous system impairment and severe lung damage.

Delta-9 (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) reigns over them all simply because there’s so much more research available. We know it’s mostly safe and what to expect. Delta-9 and some other THCs are good for pain, sleep, and nausea, so check with your doctor if you want to test one out.

Delta-8 (delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol) is less potent than D9 — perfect if you want to get your feet wet first or prefer a smoother, more clear-headed high. This goes for delta-10 (delta-10-tetrahydrocannabinol) as well, although it’s more energizing and even less potent than D8. There’s also a delta-7 THC, but this cannabinoid is rarely used today.

HHC (hexohydrocannabinol) is hydrogenated THC, making it semi-synthetic. Most people say it’s about as intense as delta-8, though this varies.

THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is not psychoactive but is the precursor to THC — it converts to D9 when heated. THC-A percentages give you an idea of how potent a certain strain, etc., is.

THC-V (tetrahydrocannabivarin) is another one that won’t get you high, but it could help you lose weight by reducing your appetite. No munchies with this one.

There are many other variants beyond the ones listed here. Feel free to experiment, but remember that no one really knows what the long-term effects are.

And if you’re still trying to decide which one is best, it all comes down to what you like since they all hit differently. Try them out and see what you think.

Types of THC Products

Again, the answer comes down to why you’re using THC and what products you enjoy. They all come with pros and cons.

1. Edibles

Edibles are any kind of food item that contains THC.

THC gummies are the most popular, but other cannabis edibles like brownies, cookies, drinks, Rice Krispie treats (usually called something far less appetizing, like cereal bars), honey, and chocolate bars, among others, are also available and can be made at home.

✅ Pros: They’re fun to eat and share with friends; the high lasts longer. Can be made at home with raw THC distillate or cannabis flower.
❌ Cons: They’re expensive, it can take an hour for the effects to kick in, and some are hard to find, especially with the rarer cannabinoids.

2. Vapes

These are an all-time favorite and are widely available. Most vendors will sell them, and they come in different strains or flavors. You will likely be able to find almost all available cannabinoids in vape form.

✅ Pros: They’re easy to use, discreet, portable; the effects are almost instantaneous
❌ Cons: Can be harmful to lungs; the effects don’t last as long

3. Flower

This is the bud, the part of cannabis that you break up and smoke or use to make cannabutter or whatever your heart desires.

✅ Pros: As basic as it gets, natural, comes in many strains, very versatile
❌ Cons: Not discreet, strong smell, can get moldy or lose potency

Related Guides: Best THCA Flower

4. Oils & Tinctures

Tinctures, oils, and other kinds of extracts are concentrated and can contain all of the plant (called full-spectrum) or isolated cannabinoids. They boast a long shelf-life, easy titrating of doses, and rapid onset if held under the tongue before swallowing.

✅ Pros: Potent, discreet, portable, easy to take
❌ Cons: Expensive, hard to find ones with rarer cannabinoids, not as fast-working as vaping

Related Guide: Best THC Oil

5. Concentrates

These are incredibly, well, concentrated, sometimes being as high as 90% THC. For reference, top-shelf buds max out around 30%.

Shatter, budder, wax, live resin, sugar, and diamonds are all kinds of concentrates, though there are more.

You can add these to food, take them plain, or smoke/dab/vape them.

✅ Pros: A little goes a long way, versatile, flavor comes through
❌ Cons: Easy to take too much, can be costly, using high-quality products is critical

Related Guide: Best THC Distillates

THC Laws: What’s Legal In Your Area?

This gets complicated since there are many gray areas, and new cannabinoids keep popping up, with new laws and regulations close behind.

Chances are, if you see quite a few local shops advertising it, it’s legal. Is this theory foolproof? No! The risks decrease if the store has been around for a while and doesn’t look like a dive.

If you want to know for sure, check your local government’s laws. They don’t always make it easy (when do they ever), but a simple internet search should give you an idea.

Recreational Marijuana (D9)

If you live where recreational marijuana is legal, you don’t need to bother with hemp-derived anything. You have the real thing, so there’s no need to mess around with products that have to squeeze through loopholes. But of course, maybe you want to because it’s fun to try something new.

However, don’t assume you can — it depends on how your state views these new cannabinoids.

According to the US News and World Report, the following states have legalized recreational marijuana:

Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Guam
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Rhode Island
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington, DC.

For everyone else, hemp-derived delta-9 is likely legal, but some states have strict hemp laws, so you’ll want to make sure.

Hemp-Derived THC

The following states take a stricter stance on hemp products and/or the THC in them:

Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana (under 8 mg THC per serving and 1% by dry weight)
Minnesota (less than 5 mg THC per serving and under 0.3%)
New Hampshire
Virginia (under 2 mg THC per serving or >25:1 CBD:THC ratio)

Delta-8 THC

Delta-8 and delta-10 laws will likely be similar. If D8 is illegal where you live, assume THC-P, delta-10, delta-7, and others are as well.

According to the National Cannabis Industry Association, the following states have banned delta-8:

Alaska
Colorado
Delaware
Hawaii
Idaho
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New York
North Dakota
Oregon
Rhode Island
Utah
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia

THCa

The following states have banned THCa:

Arkansas
Hawaii only (smokable THCa is banned)
Idaho
Kansas (only 0% THCa products are permitted)
Louisiana (legal for patients with a medical card)
Minnesota
Mississippi (THCa flowers and concentrates over 0.30% THC)
Oklahoma
Oregon
Utah (only those in the medical cannabis program can use any type of THC)

THC-O

The DEA has stated they do consider THC-O synthetic and a controlled substance. Many places still sell it, and there hasn’t been much done about it, but be aware that you could get into trouble.

THC-V

THC-V is gaining popularity because it can reduce appetite and has mild psychoactive effects that can be very energizing. It occurs naturally in cannabis and is legal federally.

HHC

HHC, like THC-O, is a controlled substance in the eyes of the DEA. You can buy HHC almost anywhere, but watch for changing local laws.

FAQs: Buying THC

Answering some common questions we get about THC and where to buy it.

1. How old do I have to be to buy THC?

Each state sets its own minimum age, so check your local laws. Most of the time you have to be either 19 or 21.

If you buy online, most vendors require a minimum age to even enter the site.

2. Can I order marijuana from one legal state to another?

No, marijuana can’t be mailed. The US postal system is under the federal government, so it would be breaking federal laws.

Transporting marijuana across state lines, regardless of the legality within either state, is illegal.

3. Are head shops safe to buy from?

There are good and bad head shops, but the bad often outnumber the good. You have to be diligent when shopping there. Follow the list I supplied for finding quality THC, and you should be fine.

One of the problems is that even if you find a reputable head shop, the products aren’t as fresh, they cost more, and the selection isn’t great. Online is better, but sometimes the need arises, and you can’t wait for shipping, or you just want to get out and see what’s around.