Hi Garden of Flowers,
I’m guessing you’ve probably read this but just in case you haven’t I would make sure you’ve read the tutorial post here which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that you will need to make the best possible choices … all in one place. It can save you a lot of searching through the forum to find the most important information you will need.
I would make sure you read it like you would a good book and not “study” it like you would a course textbook. Too little information can lead to poor choices but too much information can also lead to information overwhelm and “paralysis by analysis” and poor choices as well. What you need is “just enough” to be able to recognize the more knowledgeable, experienced, and transparent manufacturers and retailers who already know what you would otherwise have to learn.
The better options and possibilities I’m aware of in and around the Baltimore area are listed in post #2 here.
Phoenix