Buffalo

Law Enforcement

Back when marijuana was illegal, Buffalo street sellers and bud houses generally drew more attention than people holding personal amounts. The feel could vary by officer, and there was a perception of stricter treatment for minorities. A patrol often had just one officer. People described smoking in daylight and taking blunt rides, and stops that ended in a warning or confiscation. In one, police gave a blunt back. In another, the farewell was “thanks for the free smoke.” New York has since regulated adult use, as covered in Marijuana Laws.

Where to Buy Marijuana

North Buffalo around Hertel Avenue was difficult without a contact. South Buffalo’s First and Second Wards, by contrast, had younger locals who knew the scene. The East Side was the busiest, with Best, Jefferson, Fillmore, Bailey, Sycamore, Broadway, Wilson, Reed and Pershing all mentioned. Some blocks were said to have four or five places, from street sellers to bud houses. At the latter, a side or back entrance might have a bell and a slot. The buyer called out how many US$5 bags they wanted. Five meant US$25. It was quick enough that some people reckoned on finding something in under twenty minutes.

West Side flower was rated better but harder to find, particularly around Vermont and Normal, Niagara Street, Grant Street and Richmond Avenue. Riverside was quieter, with Ontario and Tonawanda streets the places mentioned if you had nobody to ask. Local talk still brought up undercover officers from early-1990s crack stings.

Marijuana Prices

• About US$5 per gram for AZ
• About US$20 per gram for Purple Haze
• As much as US$650 for an ounce of Purple Haze or Cheese

Types of Marijuana

BC, New York City and the chicken-wing city’s own growers all supplied Buffalo. Cannabis Cup strains turned up here too, alongside AZ, Cheese, real Blueberry, G13, Sour Diesel, Purple Haze, Silver Haze, Colombian Gold, Kush, Strawberry Cough and Purple Kush.

More Information

Robbery was a concern in unfamiliar parts of both the East and West sides. A longtime smoker’s way of judging a bag was to look at it closely, squeeze it for marshmallow-like stickiness and then smell and taste it. Grassy weed was taken as a sign of leftover chlorophyll. Floral, funky ammonia, blueberry or strawberry notes were more appealing, though the results were personal impressions. Big Buddha Cheese was an example of a strong aroma and flavour. Colombian Gold, G13, Sour Diesel and Purple Haze were the favourites.

The same smoker once put THC intake at 28 percent from joints or blunts, 78 percent from bongs or bowls and 92 percent from a vaporizer. Those were informal figures. The vaporizer was considered the economical option, even if it was loud, clumsy and less fun. For a place to sit and relax by the Niagara River or Lake Erie, the foot of Ontario and the foot of Ferry were two favourites.