Im sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have lived across the southeast and this is my opinion on our bud and how I'd approach it.
Avoid any brick weed or "mid grade".
Assuming your friends can get you seedless buds I group them in three categories. First would be what I call "beasters" it always smells the same (usually like hay) and is generally still too moist. Not trimmed all that well and the taste is nothing to talk about. Buds are often extremely dense like pebbles. You can have it in the room and the buds generally won't stink it up.
Next would be what I call the crops from med states that just don't have the sex appeal for sale in legal states. Buds generally aren't magazine photo quality but the smell is always different and impossible to conceal if its just in a plastic bag. Taste and high is generally unique from bag to bag.
Last would be top shelf buds that you see for sale in med and legal states. Stinks up a room and has a unique smell and taste. They'll be cured well and when broken up by hand leaves your fingers coated in trichomes. The hairs on the buds are usually sticking straight out, as opposed to being pushed over. In my opinion that's a good sign when finding seedless buds in the south. Reassures you that is hasn't been handled much.
When I refer to med or legal state bud I don't mean to imply the south doesnt have some great homegrown. I just use it as a reference if you want to compare what you see in pics online.
You'll most likely run in to the second type of bud I described and in college towns there's lots of the first one. Unfortunately you won't know if it's a hybrid, sativa or indica. Also, of someone tells you the stain name id take it with a grain of salt unless you know you know the grower.
Approach your friends with this analogy, tell them you want the seedless bud and not the bottom shelf liquor version. Once you get familiar with it you'll see stuff that looks commercial and then notice others that looks like someone put their heart in to it.
As far as legality. If you keep it at home you're safe. If you have to travel just don't fit the stoner stereotype and make sure your vehicle doesn't smell.
PM me with any questions.
Sorry for the rambling and format, im on mobile. Hope that helps!