A first visit to a Long Island dispensary takes about as long as any other retail stop, provided adults 21+ show up with the right ID, a rough idea of the limits and realistic expectations about hours. The Island's licensed shops sit in a handful of Suffolk towns, and many close earlier than city shops. Here is what to know before walking in, whether the destination is Deer Park, Farmingdale, Medford or Riverhead.
Where the shops are
Long Island's licensed counters are concentrated by local law. In 2021, New York let towns and villages opt out of hosting dispensaries, and most of the Island did. As of 2026, Nassau County has no licensed adult-use dispensary at all. The shops are in the four Suffolk towns that allowed retail: Babylon, Brookhaven, Riverhead and Southampton.
Within those towns, the storefronts cluster:
- Babylon, along the Route 110 and Route 109 corridors in East Farmingdale and in Deer Park and West Babylon. The Long Island Cannabis Club (a licensed shop that shares its name with this publication) opened at 94 East Industry Court in Deer Park in late 2024, the town's first outside the East Farmingdale area.
- Brookhaven, in Medford, Farmingville, Coram, East Setauket and Bellport.
- Riverhead, in Riverhead and Calverton.
- Southampton, along County Road 39 and in Water Mill.
The dispensary directory lists every licensed shop on the Island by town, and the Farmingdale hub covers the busiest cluster.
What to bring
A valid photo ID. Adults 21+ only, every visit. Staff must inspect ID before any sale. A state driver's license or non-driver ID, a U.S. or foreign passport, or a U.S. military ID all work. The ID has to be valid, so an expired license won't do.
A way to pay. Payment options vary by shop; check the shop's site before going rather than assuming a card will work.
A list, or at least a question. Budtenders at licensed shops are trained on product types, serving sizes and how to read a label. A first visit is a good time to ask.
The limits and the tax
- Purchase limits. Adults 21+ can buy up to three ounces of flower and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis, a category that includes edibles, vapes and oils. A shop can set lower caps if inventory is tight.
- The tax. New York adds a 9% state tax and a 4% local tax at the register, 13% in all. The local share goes to the county and to the town or village where the sale happens.
- Discounts. Licensed shops can now run loyalty programs and percentage discounts under rules updated in December 2025, but tax is calculated on the pre-discount price. Free cannabis, including the free birthday pre-roll, is not allowed.
Hours: earlier than the city
Long Island shops keep suburban hours. The Town of Babylon limits dispensaries to 9 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 8 PM on Sundays, and shops there set their hours inside that window; some close earlier on Sundays. Elsewhere hours vary by shop, from early-evening closings to a few that run late. Check before driving over.
Spotting a licensed shop
Long Island has unlicensed shops too, and some look the part. Verify licensed status via the OCM QR code at cannabis.ny.gov: every licensed storefront displays a scannable verification sticker near the entrance, and the scan should open a state page with that shop's name and address. OCM's retailer finder at buylegal.cannabis.ny.gov lists every licensed location. Inside, legal products carry New York's universal symbol, and a QR code on each label links to its lab results.
At the counter
Most first visits follow the same pattern:
- ID check, at the door or the counter.
- A look at the menu, on a screen, a tablet or a printed list.
- Questions. Ask about product types, package sizes and what the label means. For edibles, start low, go slow.
- Checkout, with tax added and a receipt that lists each product.
- Exit packaging. Purchases leave the store packaged, and they should stay sealed until home.
Consumption isn't allowed on the premises: New York doesn't permit cannabis consumption in businesses.
The drive home
On Long Island, almost every dispensary trip involves a car, so the car rules matter more here than in the city:
- Never drive after consuming. Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal in New York.
- No consumption in a vehicle. Cannabis cannot be consumed in a motor vehicle, moving or parked, driver or passenger.
- Keep it sealed. Leave the purchase in its packaging until home.
- Stay in-state. Carrying cannabis across state lines is illegal, which on Long Island includes the ferries to Connecticut.
If driving isn't the plan
Delivery fills the gaps, especially for Nassau residents. Licensed shops deliver to homes and private businesses anywhere in New York, including towns that opted out of storefronts. Orders are prepaid, an adult 21+ shows ID and signs at the door, and delivery happens only during the shop's hours. It never goes to a park, a beach or a car.
What it means for your first visit
Bring a current ID, check the hours, scan the sticker, and plan the drive home first. New York state law prohibits cannabis consumption on state-owned land and in public spaces, which on Long Island covers the state parks and beaches from Jones Beach east. For what's on across the Island this season, the events calendar has the list.
FAQ
What do I need to bring to a dispensary on Long Island?
A valid government photo ID showing you are 21 or older, such as a driver's license, non-driver ID, passport or military ID, and a payment method the shop accepts.
Are there dispensaries in Nassau County?
No. As of 2026, no town, city or village in Nassau permits licensed adult-use dispensaries. Licensed shops are in the Suffolk towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, Riverhead and Southampton, and they can deliver to Nassau.
How much cannabis can I buy at a Long Island dispensary?
Up to three ounces of flower and 24 grams of concentrated cannabis, which includes edibles and vapes. Shops may set lower limits.
What are dispensary hours in Babylon?
The Town of Babylon limits dispensaries to 9 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 8 PM on Sundays.
Is there a dispensary in Deer Park?
Yes. The Long Island Cannabis Club at 94 East Industry Court opened in late 2024 and appears as an active licensed retailer in OCM's license data as of 2026.
