How to Choose the Right Cannabis Dispensary

Step 1: Define Your Priorities

Before researching dispensaries, identify what matters most to you. Different customers prioritize different factors.

Step 2: Research Local Options

Use Online Directories

Start with dispensary directories to get a comprehensive view of your options:

• Our Rankings: Browse state and county-specific rankings based on reviews, ratings, and community feedback
• Google Maps: Search "dispensary near me" to see proximity and basic info
• Specialized Platforms: Leafly, Weedmaps for detailed menus and reviews

Read Reviews Critically

Reviews provide valuable insights, but read them strategically:

Step 3: Compare Product Selection and Quality

Check Online Menus

Most dispensaries post their menus online. Evaluate:

• Variety: Do they carry 20+ strains or just a handful?
• Product Types: Full selection of flower, edibles, concentrates, vapes, topicals?
• Brands: Recognized, reputable brands or unknown names?
• Potency Range: Options for both light users and heavy consumers?
• Stock Levels: Frequently sold out or well-stocked?

Verify Quality Standards

Step 4: Evaluate Pricing and Value

Compare Base Prices

Cannabis pricing varies significantly. Compare apples-to-apples:

Look for Deals and Discounts

• Daily Deals: Many dispensaries have daily specials (e.g., "Wax Wednesday," "Flower Friday")
• Happy Hours: Discounted pricing during slow hours
• First-Time Customer: Often 10-25% off your first purchase
• Loyalty Programs: Points-based rewards (typically earn $1 per $10-20 spent)
• Medical Discounts: Veterans, seniors, low-income, industry workers
• Bulk Discounts: Better per-unit pricing on larger quantities

Step 5: Assess Location and Convenience

Evaluate Accessibility

Step 6: Consider Atmosphere and Service

What Reviews Say About Service

Pay attention to how reviews describe the customer experience:

• Staff Knowledge: Do budtenders provide helpful recommendations?
• Wait Times: Are customers in and out quickly or waiting 30+ minutes?
• Atmosphere: Welcoming and professional or rushed and impersonal?
• New Customer Experience: Patient with beginners or dismissive?
• Problem Resolution: How do they handle complaints or product issues?

Step 7: Visit in Person

Try Before You Commit

Narrow your list to 2-3 dispensaries and visit each:

Ask These Questions

1. "What are your most popular strains/products?"
2. "Do you have first-time customer discounts?"
3. "Can I see lab results for this product?"
4. "Do you offer delivery or online ordering?"
5. "What's your return/exchange policy?"
6. "Do you have a loyalty program?"

Special Considerations

For Medical Patients

If you're a medical marijuana patient, prioritize:

• Medical-Specific Products: High-CBD options, specific cannabinoid ratios
• Compassion Programs: Financial assistance for low-income patients
• Consultation Services: Staff trained in medical cannabis applications
• Higher Purchase Limits: Medical patients often can buy more than recreational
• Tax Benefits: Some states exempt medical patients from certain taxes

For Budget-Conscious Shoppers

• Look for dispensaries with robust daily deal calendars
• Join multiple loyalty programs to maximize rewards
• Buy in bulk when quality products go on sale
• Consider "shake" or "popcorn" buds for significant savings
• Ask about house brands (often 20-30% cheaper than name brands)

For Premium Seekers

• Seek out dispensaries specializing in craft cannabis
• Look for exclusive or limited-release strains
• Prioritize dispensaries with in-house growing operations
• Check for organic certification or pesticide-free guarantees
• Ask about small-batch, hand-trimmed products

Making Your Decision

Final Tips

• You're Not Locked In: Feel free to shop around. Many people use different dispensaries for different needs.
• Build Relationships: Once you find a favorite budtender, they'll remember your preferences and make better recommendations.
• Stay Flexible: Product availability changes. Your go-to dispensary might not always have what you want.
• Prioritize Safety: Never compromise on licensing, lab testing, or professionalism for lower prices.
• Trust Your Gut: If something feels off about a dispensary, trust that instinct.