Seagrass Dispensary in Salem MA

Seagrass, a dispensary inspired by the sea

In Salem, the ocean is never far away, and Seagrass Dispensary in Salem MA wears that on its sleeve. The downtown dispensary at 3 Dodge Street takes its name and its inspiration from the sea, and from its commitment to healthy local coastal habitats.

It is easy to spot, too. The storefront is covered in a colorful mural, and inside you will find trained staff, small-batch local cannabis and a team that loves to talk about it. Here is a closer look at one of Salem’s most distinctive shops.

Serving Salem since 2020

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission lists 3 Dodge Street as an active, licensed cannabis retailer, open since December 9, 2020. A news headline Seagrass shares on its site marks it as the third recreational cannabis shop licensed in Salem. Since then, it has become a fixture of downtown Salem, and Salem’s official tourism site lists it among the city’s dispensaries.

Sustainability, responsibility and community

Seagrass sums up its values in three words: sustainability, responsibility and community. It puts each of them into practice:

Protecting the coast. Seagrass partners with Salem Sound Coastwatch to support local marine ecology. Salem Sound Coastwatch has worked with the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries on eelgrass research and restoration in Salem Sound, so the partnership fits the name perfectly.
Backing small businesses. The shop sources from small, local cannabis producers to help community businesses grow.
Giving back every year. Seagrass makes annual contributions to local housing, health care and recreation programs.

Its list of community partners includes Salem Sound Coastwatch, the North Shore CDC, the Punto Urban Art Museum, Salem Family Health, Salem Recreation and the Last Prisoner Project.

A storefront that is a work of art

The mural on the outside of the building is not just decoration. Seagrass created its exterior murals in partnership with the North Shore CDC, and Salem’s tourism site notes that the colorful exterior ties in with the nearby Punto Urban Art Museum, one of the shop’s community partners. If you are out exploring Salem’s murals, add Dodge Street to the route.

Small, local, independent

The menu at Seagrass leans local. The shop says it carries a wide variety of local products from small producers, and its staff are trained to help you understand each product, what it does and which options might suit your taste.

Seagrass has also been an exclusive launch partner for new lines, including Papi Cannabis, created with Rev Brands. The menu changes, so order online or check it before you visit to see what is new.

On safety, Seagrass says its vaporizer products have been tested for contaminants, including vitamin E acetate, with no adverse findings.

Meet the team

Seagrass introduces its team on its website, and it is a friendly bunch. One member focuses on helping customers with wellness goals like easing aches, stress and anxiety. Another is a Salem local known for being easy to talk to and always on the hunt for the best options. Another brings about five years of cannabis industry experience, and another loves explaining cannabis and sharing tips with visitors to Salem. Whatever you are looking for, there is someone to ask.

Learn before you buy

Seagrass’s Learn page is a clear, practical guide to how different products work:

Flower. Smoked or vaporized. Smoking takes effect within seconds and peaks around 30 minutes, while vaporizing is smoother with less odor.
Edibles. Effects begin anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours and last roughly four to six hours.
Concentrates. Extracts such as shatter, wax and rosin are much more potent than flower and act almost immediately when inhaled.
Tinctures. Taken under the tongue with a dropper, usually starting within 20 to 30 minutes and lasting three to six hours.
Topicals. Lotions, balms and salves used on the skin, which generally do not cause a high.

For edibles, Seagrass’s advice is the classic: start low and go slow, and wait at least two hours before having more.

The Seagrass Speaker Series

Seagrass also hosts a Speaker Series focused on cannabis education and the social, environmental and policy issues around it. Guests have included the team behind Profound Naturals, who were later featured in Forbes for using TikTok to teach people about cannabis.

And every year Seagrass celebrates Seagrass Awareness Month with Salem Sound Coastwatch, honoring the underwater plant that gave the shop its name. As the shop’s blog points out, seagrass is one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.

More from the Seagrass blog

The blog covers plenty more. One post explains the difference between full-spectrum and distillate products, a handy read if you are choosing between vapes or tinctures. Another looks at sustainable cannabis packaging and the challenges of reusing it, part of the shop’s ongoing search for greener options. There are seasonal posts too, from ways to enjoy summer through Labor Day to a fresh take on Dry January, and a staff tour of their favorite Salem spots.

Seagrass has also announced plans for a second dispensary in Beverly, in a former Italian restaurant on Cabot Street, so the coastal spirit may soon spread up the shore.

Plan your visit

Address. 3 Dodge Street, Salem, MA 01970.

Hours. Monday through Wednesday from 10am to 8pm, Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm, and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. The shop’s FAQ lists slightly different weekday hours, so check before a late visit.

Phone. (978) 498-4183.

Paying. Cash and debit cards only. Credit cards are not accepted.

Adults 21+. Bring a valid, unexpired driver’s license, government ID card, military ID or passport. Out-of-state IDs are welcome.

Returns. All sales are final. Defective vape cartridges can be exchanged within 30 days with the original receipt and packaging.

Parking and getting there

Seagrass makes downtown parking simple:

On the street. Short-term parking on Dodge, Washington and Lafayette Streets.
Public lots. Two lots on Washington Street and New Derby Street, each less than a five-minute walk.
Indoor parking. Public parking next door at the Hampton Inn.
By train. The Salem Depot is a short walk away.
By bus. An MBTA stop at Washington and New Derby Streets is about 200 yards from the front door.
By bike. Bike racks are nearby.

The Get directions button on this page opens the store in Google Maps.

Massachusetts cannabis basics

Salem welcomes visitors from everywhere, so here are the rules from the state’s Cannabis Control Commission:

Age. 21 or older, with a government-issued ID for every retail purchase.
Carrying. Up to two ounces in public.
At home. Up to 10 ounces, and anything over two ounces must be locked up.
Where to use it. Not in public places and not on federal land. Salem’s tourism site points out that this includes the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, as well as streets, sidewalks, parks and beaches.
In the car. No open containers in the passenger area. Use a closed container in the trunk or a locked glove compartment, and never drive under the influence.
State lines. It is illegal to take cannabis out of Massachusetts, including through airports or by mail.

Not every hotel or rental allows cannabis, so check with yours before you go.

Your first visit, step by step

Order online, or walk in. Browse the menu ahead if you like.
Park nearby or take the train. The Depot and public lots are close.
Bring your ID and cash or debit. No credit cards, and Salem’s tourism site notes that IDs are checked at the door and again at purchase.
Ask a budtender. Tell them your goals and taste.
Snap a photo of the mural. It is part of the experience.

Make a day of it in Salem

There is plenty to do within walking distance of the shop. English colonists settled it in 1626, and it became one of early America’s major seaports, trading with the East Indies and China. Today it is the seat of Essex County, with 44,480 residents at the 2020 census, and more than half of its 18 square miles is water.

The 1692 witch trials are its best-known chapter and the reason it is called the Witch City. Visitors come for the House of the Seven Gables, the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Salem Willows and Pioneer Village. Literature fans will know Nathaniel Hawthorne, who worked as overseer of Salem’s port from 1846 to 1849. Salem also hosted the first militia muster on Salem Common in 1637, which laid the foundation for the National Guard. The city rebuilt after the Great Salem Fire of 1914, which destroyed more than 400 homes, and today it is also home to Salem State University.

Close to the shop, Salem’s tourism site points to Artists Row and several cafes within walking distance, so it is easy to pair a stop at Seagrass with a stroll, a coffee and a look at local art.

Why Seagrass is worth the stop

Seagrass brings something special to downtown Salem. It is inspired by the sea and supports the people working to protect it, it stocks small local cannabis, its storefront is a mural, and its team loves to teach. Add easy parking, a short walk from the train and a calendar of speakers, and it is a stop worth making on any Salem visit.

Find the mural on Dodge Street and step inside.

For adults 21 and over. Please consume responsibly.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Where is Seagrass in Salem?

Seagrass is at 3 Dodge Street, Salem, MA 01970, in downtown Salem with a colorful mural on its storefront. Short-term street parking, two public lots and indoor parking at the Hampton Inn next door are nearby, and the Salem Depot is a short walk. Call (978) 498-4183.

What are Seagrass's hours?

Seagrass’s home page lists Monday through Wednesday from 10am to 8pm, Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm, and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Its FAQ gives slightly different weekday hours, so check the website before a late visit. You can also order online ahead of time.

What payment does Seagrass accept?

Seagrass accepts cash and debit cards only; credit cards are not accepted. Bring a valid, unexpired driver’s license, government ID card, military ID or passport showing you are 21 or older. Out-of-state IDs are welcome. All sales are final, except defective vape cartridges within 30 days.

Why is the dispensary called Seagrass?

Seagrass takes its name and inspiration from Salem’s closeness to the ocean and its commitment to healthy local coastal habitats. The shop partners with Salem Sound Coastwatch to support local marine ecology, and it celebrates Seagrass Awareness Month every year in honor of its namesake.

Can I use cannabis in public in Salem?

No. Massachusetts prohibits cannabis use in public places and on federal land, which includes the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, streets, sidewalks, parks and beaches. Keep products sealed in your car, check whether your hotel allows cannabis, and never drive under the influence.