I don't know that potheads recognize each other. Or about looking for the cool people. Especially not being a cool person myself (well, depending on your definition of cool, I guess). I did walk by a skate park one day and saw some skaters smoking, so I asked if I could buy a bit from them and they were seriously skeeved out. Wanted nothing to do with me. (I'm not a skater, and don't look 'alternative' at all). I approached another group at that park and found a guy who was willing to pick up for me, but I did have to pay him a fee for getting it. Just a middle man, and I hate doing it that way.

One thing I recommend, based on that experience, is approaching groups, so you're not putting an individual 'on the spot'.

Another time, I found a middle man in the form of a creepy man about 60 years old. He was not cool, either, but he was kind enough to help me out (because he was hoping I'd hook up with him). So that got kind of awkward.

Not sure what a stoner is supposed to look like, but other potheads always seem to have a hard time, initially, believing that I smoke, and tend to think I'm a narc or something. Maybe I need a stoner costume I can wear when I go looking. LOL

There needs to be a dealer exchange program for people who move! Or something.

Or fight so its a legal market, and the whole pain in the ass ends.

Get your Medical Card. Then hit up a dispensary.

not an uption for everyone. not everyone lives in a medical state.

here is what i did when i moved to vancouver many moons ago:

walk up and down hastings street near victory park...there always seem to at least one guy hanging around selling pot there all afternoon and night...the vancouver police don't bust people for simple possession so it's a low risk legally speaking, and the dealers i've met there have been peaceful and reasonably honest...some of the people living around canada's poorest postal code can look sketchy to a newcomer, but i've found that they are among the nicest folks in vancouver...vancouver is not a big risk for random violence as long as you don't hang around the bars at closing time

make eye contact and nod as you approach a guy standing on the sidewalk...he'll let you know if he's selling by saying "weed" or "buds" as you walk by...have your money precounted in different pockets in different amounts so it's ready to hand over quickly...after you do that a few times you'll probably know who to look for

i've been shorted a couple times but i've never been totally ripped off even though people tell me i am very muggable

When I first started smoking 10 years ago, I would walk up and down Granville, usually someone would offer. The sketchy beard I used to have probably helped. But Granville seemed to dry up to be replaced by scammers around 2006 or so.

After that I would carry rolling papers and lighters and hang out where I saw other people toking (like the park across from the New Amsterdam), it took a while but eventually I'd meet people who needed one or both and I'd strike up a conversation and lead it towards "so, is there somewhere nearby..?". I found two great places that way that I still use off and on.

Might I suggest since you by your words " don't look cool" even if you smell smoking, don't make one of your first question about who's willing to break the law. Ask questions about things that might matter to them. Like those skaters, HI say do people get hurt often doing this? What's the best board if I was buying one for my[ incert son, little brother, nephew, etc.] Srart a real conservation first. Every good salesman knows how to do this so if you don't read some books on how to sell. Once you've got some trust going explain how you know they smoke and why you'd like some good luck.

I have had luck in two new cities. As mentioned above, you can't exactly ask for it at a head shop. What you can do is chat with the employees about being new in town and not really knowing anyone yet. Tell them you are looking for some bars and other places where other cool people like yourself hang out. Stop in a few times to different shops and ask around. That should get you at least a few good leads.

Then you have to go to those places and talk to people. It's not always going to be easy even if you are generally outgoing. I usually tell them I am new in to the area and ask them what their favorite places around town are. Tell them a little about where you moved from and if they seem cool enough eventually mention that one of the things you miss most about your old city is the quality of buds you could get there. That way you don't have to ask directly and you are also appealing to them as a fellow smoker who is in a sympathetic situation.

It isn't always easy and it can take a lot of time to find anything yet alone a reliable source but it is the best I have come up with. I'm moving to another completely new city in about two months so I'm going to have to start over again. I want to try and bring at least a months supply with me and hopefully find some people to smoke up in hopes of making a connection.

Great post, newera. I wonder why it's so hard for people to just answer the damn question. "Grow your own"? Hello? For one thing, a lot of these questions come from travelers, not residents, where growing is impossible.

In thinking back over some of these posts in years back, there have been a few - but only a few - good suggestions amongst the ridiculous. Hence, the relevance of newera's post.

Some of the good ones I've seen:

- Taxi drivers (already suggested here I realize, but a time-tested way to land drugs and hookers).

- Rock clubs, coffee houses, etc.

- College campuses

- Ski lift operators (someone gave this response when I asked a while back about scoring in Whistler)

- Poetry readings - shit, I don't know. This is really making me realize how good the question is, and hard to answer - but not impossible!

Come on people, concentrate!

The last time i had to purchase some cannabis i was in Surrey. My buddy said if you want weed , go to the bar there. I did not have to sit down very long
Before several people stopped at our table to sho us what was available.
Finding weed in sask is totally different , you need to be a close to people before
the will even talk to you about it.