With cannabis dispensaries popping up all over the United States and Canada, you may find yourself in the unique position of being able to choose where you shop. While recreational cannabis is still illegal in many places, it has also been legalized and decriminalized in many states.
We generally have more options at our disposal than ever before. Rather than purchasing from the first dispensary you encounter, take a moment to consider the following information.
Reputation
Reading reviews is one of the most popular ways to distinguish between a high-quality dispensary and one with a poor reputation. Open a search engine and enter ‘dispensary near me’ to see dispensaries in your area.
You will see reviews from satisfied and unsatisfied customers to help you make your choice. Alongside reviews, you may even like to choose your preferred dispensary based on recommendations from family and friends.
Word-of-mouth marketing (WOM) is one of the most powerful forms of advertising, which means they will likely be more than happy to share their experiences about dispensaries in your area.
Product Selection
Some dispensaries stock a few essentials, while others have a wide range of products in-store and on their website. Think about the products you enjoy buying and what you think you’d like to try in the future.
Some of the most popular products to stock at a dispensary include flower, vaporizers, edibles, pre-rolls, concentrates, seeds, and topicals. You might even notice that some dispensaries offer accessories to go with your cannabis purchase and even apparel.
Customer Service
Not everyone becomes an expert in the dispensary products they want to buy overnight. If you’ve never tried cannabis before or are not familiar with the different variations, you may find purchasing it in person or on the internet overwhelming.
That’s why customer service can be crucial. Whether you’re purchasing it online for pick up or visiting a dispensary in person, having a knowledgeable person or plenty of information about each product online can make a world of difference to your purchasing experience.
Convenience
Being able to access the dispensary products you need at a moment’s notice can be important, so don’t disregard the importance of convenience as a factor to consider.
Some of the best dispensaries in Canada and further afield offer practical online ordering so that you can have everything you need ready to go for pick up on the same day. Being able to order online means you can take your time to think about what you want, rather than being overwhelmed by the in-store selection and making purchases you’re not necessarily happy with.
Other convenient points might be texts or emails to know when your order is ready, effortless packaging, or even a convenient store layout that allows you to browse with ease.
Points of Difference
Cannabis dispensaries are popping up everywhere, and on the surface, they can all look the same. Most dispensary owners know that they have to have a point of difference to stand out, so find out what that is.
Some dispensaries may offer a convenient same-day pick-up service after allowing you to place your order online, while others might go the extra mile by price-matching against other dispensaries to win your business. Some simply become known for their exceptional customer service.
You might even notice that one prioritizes cost-effectiveness over quality or quality over product selection. Some points of difference may be more important to you than others.
Product Origin and Quality
It’s only natural to question the origin of anything you put in your body, whether it’s food, vape fluid, or something else. When the time comes to choose a new dispensary, find out where their goods come from.
This information is sometimes listed on their website, but feel free to ask store assistants. Many dispensaries grow their own cannabis or source it from local farms.
While you’re learning about product origins, see if you can determine the freshness of the cannabis products. You likely can’t unwrap packaging to notice smells, but you may be able to look for signs that your preferred product isn’t of the best quality, such as noticeable mold.
Take note of how the dispensary’s products are stored, since temperature, oxygen, humidity, and light can all affect the taste, potency, and aroma of cannabis.
Location
Even after comparing all features of dispensaries near you, the location may sometimes be the deciding factor. There might be several in your city, but the one within blocks of where you live or work may be the one you end up becoming a loyal customer of.
You might also decide to pick a dispensary that’s a little further away but has better parking to stop you from having to walk as far. If you’re overwhelmed by the different dispensaries near you, write down their addresses to help you narrow down your options.
There can be many things to consider when choosing a dispensary. However, taking the time to weigh up the pros and cons of each can put you in the best possible position to purchase products you trust.
