New Yorkers rely heavily on home-delivery services in their daily lives, so it's no surprise that some drug dealers are gaining a competitive edge by delivering marijuana to the doors of city residents.

The Associated Press reported Nov. 6 that urban pot smokers, averse to making street purchases, are increasingly ordering marijuana from sophisticated drug rings that utilize pagers and natty delivery men to deliver the goods.

"These are very nice, discreet people," said customer Chris, 37, of the dealers he orders from. "There's an unspoken trust. It's better than going to some street corner and getting ripped off or killed."

Discreet drug delivery has long been available in the city, but it has become increasingly gentrified. One recently busted drug ring delivered an estimated one ton of marijuana in New York City between 1999 and 2006, processing 600 orders per day.

Delivery services charge a steep markup, but well-off clients say it's worth it for the convenience and quality of the merchandise. Despite some high-profile prosecutions, the operations are likely to survive because of high demand and the low risk of penalties. "That is why you see the marijuana delivery services proliferating," said Bridget G. Brennen, the city's special narcotics prosecutor. "Their exposure is slight."