Buying cannabis online vs in store isn't an either-or decision. Ordering ahead is the fast lane when you know what you want, while a visit with a budtender is worth the trip when you have questions or want to find something new. Here's how to tell which kind of trip you're making, how to get more from an online menu and how pickup works at High Society's eight Michigan stores.
Two ways to shop for two kinds of trips
Most shopping trips fall into one of two camps. A restock trip is about speed: you know the product, the size and roughly what you'll spend. Picking up the same eighth or the same pack of gummies you bought last month is a classic restock.
An explore trip is about learning: a new format, a strain you've heard about or a question about potency. Trying your first vape, or deciding between a tincture and an edible, is a classic explore trip.
Ordering online suits the first kind, and walking in suits the second. You can also mix the two, ordering your staples online and saving in-store visits for discovery.
Buying cannabis online vs in store: what each does best
Online menus are good at the things a busy counter isn't:
- Side-by-side comparison. Line up products by potency, size and price without anyone waiting behind you.
- A look at what's listed. See what your store has on its menu before you make the drive, keeping in mind that stock moves during the day.
- Quick reorders. Find your usual product in a few clicks, and sign in as a returning customer to move through checkout faster.
- Browsing anytime. The menu is there late at night or on your lunch break.
- A running cart total. You see what you're spending as you go.
| Ordering ahead for pickup | Shopping in store | |
|---|---|---|
| Suits | Restocks, planned purchases, comparing options | First visits, discovery, lots of questions |
| Time at the store | A short stop to collect | Longer, with time to talk |
| Guidance | Product details on the menu | A budtender's advice in person |
| Choosing | At your own pace, anytime | On the spot |
| ID | Checked when you collect | Checked at check-in and at the sale |
Best times to order ahead
- You know what you want. A favorite strain, your usual edible or a restock of pre-rolls.
- You're researching a new format. Reading the menu at home gives you time to compare sizes and potency, and to look things up before you commit.
- You're comparing potency. Line up the THC per serving or per gram across several products at once.
- You'd rather not wait around. Choose a pickup time that fits your day and collect when the order is ready.
- You're fitting in a quick stop. Busy errand days and bad weather are easier when the order is ready to go.
- You're working to a budget. The cart total keeps the spending in view before you commit.
When shopping in store is better
- Your first visit. A budtender can explain formats and labels face to face, and our first-visit guide covers the visit step by step.
- You're undecided. If you're torn between formats, a short conversation narrows it down quickly.
- Discovery. Staff can point out products you might never find by scrolling.
- Lots of questions. Onset, servings, terpenes or how a product is used are all easier to talk through in person.
Walking into High Society looks like this. Security and the front desk greet you and look at your ID, then a budtender brings you to the counter when it's your turn. They'll help you choose and answer questions, whether you're brand new or a regular, while our order preparation team packs your items. To finish, a staff member rings you up and checks the order with you before you leave. The idea is simple: ask good questions first, then find the right fit.
To make the most of a visit, bring your ID, a few notes on products you've liked and any questions you have. Want to hear about discounts? Give the front desk your phone number and email when you arrive, and we'll keep you posted on offers.
Getting more from an online menu
- Start with a category. Narrow the menu to one kind of product, such as edibles, flower or vapes, then sort or filter where the menu allows.
- Compare like with like. Check the weight or servings, the potency and the price per gram or per serving.
- Look for terpene data. Some listings show top terpenes, a handy aroma guide when it's there.
- Add one new pick per order. Pair your usual items with one thing you haven't tried, so discovery doesn't mean a whole new cart.
- Read it over before checkout. Make sure the sizes and quantities are what you meant, and that the cart belongs to the store you'll visit.
A quick pre-order checklist helps too: double-check the store, keep the cart within Michigan's per-transaction limit, have your ID ready and plan how you'll pay. Look at the deals that are running before you check out.
How pickup works at High Society
- Pick your store. All eight High Society stores run separate online menus, so choose yours first from our shop page.
- Build your cart. Choose your products and quantities.
- Choose a pickup time that works for you.
- Check out. Add your details. If it's your first order, you'll present a valid ID; returning customers can sign in to save time.
- Collect in store or at the curb. Want curbside? Say so at checkout, and watch for our text saying the order is ready.
Have your ID with you at every pickup. Cash is accepted; other payment methods differ from store to store, so check with yours. If you're in The Society, qualifying purchases add points that you can use at checkout, in store or online; the club member program page explains how. For a click-by-click version, read our step-by-step ordering guide.
Is ordering weed online legal in Michigan? Pickup, ID checks and delivery
Ordering ahead doesn't change the requirements that apply to every adult-use sale in Michigan:
- Age and ID. Adult-use buyers have to be at least 21, and the store must see a valid photo ID before each sale, pickup orders included.
- Limits. Each adult-use order can hold up to 2.5 ounces, including a maximum of 15 grams of concentrate.
- Taxes. As of October 2026, adult-use sales carry two taxes, a 10% excise and the 6% sales tax, so leave room in your budget for both.
- After pickup. Leave packages sealed on the way home; Michigan law bars using cannabis while you drive or in public places.
Medical purchases follow their own track. Registered patients shop at licensed provisioning centers and show their registry card with a photo ID, within a daily limit of 2.5 ounces and a monthly limit of 10 ounces. Their purchases are also exempt from the 10% excise tax. If you're a patient, ask your store whether it serves registered patients before you order.
Visiting from another state? Adults 21 and older can order ahead too, and valid out-of-state government IDs work at High Society in most cases. Enjoy it here, and don't travel across state lines with cannabis.
Delivery is its own service with separate requirements, explained in our guide to cannabis delivery in Michigan; High Society's stores stick to pickup and in-store shopping. Each store's hours and directions are on our locations page. 21+ only. Please consume responsibly.
