In states where cannabis is legal for medicinal and recreational use, dispensaries are a common way to purchase cannabis. These stores make the process quick and easy – show your ID, select your products, and pay.
Choosing the right dispensary is crucial for both medical and recreational marijuana consumers. Several factors influence consumer choice and decision-making.
Location
If you’re looking to open your dispensary, location is one of the most important factors. This will affect footfall and whether or not your business can attract customers. It’s also vital to consider state laws and local zoning requirements.
For instance, you should avoid locations near schools or hospitals. This is because state laws require that a dispensary is at least 600 feet away from these areas. Violating these rules can result in fines or even the closure of the dispensary.
Moreover, it would help if you considered the availability of parking spaces. This is especially true for dispensaries that sell recreational products. Lastly, it would help to look at the distance between your production facility and your retail store. It would help if you minimized this distance to save on transportation costs and reduce the risk of accidents.
Besides considering the abovementioned factors, you should also consider a dispensary’s reputation and legitimacy. This is because it’s essential to know the source and testing process of a cannabis product. A reputable Utah cannabis dispensary will ensure its customers receive high-quality medicine.
Atmosphere
A dispensary’s ambiance greatly influences how you feel while in-store. Look for a comfortable space with well-decorated walls and unique art pieces that complement the store’s brand. The atmosphere should also be free of smoke or other odors that may be off-putting for some cannabis users.
Another aspect to consider is how the budtenders interact with their customers. A friendly, knowledgeable budtender can make the experience much more enjoyable and help you find products that best suit your needs. They should be able to answer questions about the products and their effects and provide information on proper dosages and usage methods.
If they can’t adequately answer your questions or seem rude or uninterested in talking with you about the products, it might be time to go elsewhere. You also want to ensure they are up-to-date on local and state laws and regulations. Finally, they should prioritize safety measures like following age restrictions and security protocols.
Customer Service
Customers are attracted to cannabis dispensaries that provide high customer service. An educated staff eager to help customers find the best products for their needs is key. This means budtenders should be able to answer questions about the product and provide education through Q&A sessions. In addition, a well-rounded dispensary should have a loyalty rewards program to encourage repeat business and collect valuable customer data.
Dispensary leadership should be able to develop a culture that encourages employee engagement, resulting in a superior customer experience. Dispensary owners with emotional intelligence tend to be more effective at creating a positive work environment that inspires their employees to do their best.
It is also important for a dispensary to offer conveniences such as credit card acceptance and a warm and inviting design that makes customers feel welcome every time they visit. Moreover, a dispensary should provide a system for financial transactions that meets cannabis compliance standards so that customers do not have to use a local ATM and pay fees for cash withdrawals.
Products
Whether recreational or medical, customers expect a wide selection of high-quality cannabis-based products. This includes marijuana flowers from reputable pesticide-free and sustainably grown growers and other accessories like child-proof safety bags and in-store storage products.
Edibles are cannabis-infused foods or beverages that can be smoked or consumed in other ways. They’re a great option for consumers who aren’t comfortable with inhalation or don’t want to invest in a dab rig and vaporizer. Edibles are also manufactured with precision doses of THC and CBD, so it’s easier to control the experience and avoid overconsumption.
Concentrates are highly potent and can be used with a dab rig or portable vaporizer. These are a favorite of patients and connoisseurs who enjoy the variety of effects that concentrates can provide. They’re available in various forms, including waxes, oils, and alcohol-based tinctures. It’s important to carry a wide selection of different concentrates with impressive terpene profiles so that you can meet the needs of your diverse customer base. In addition, stock a few other vape devices to cater to each customer’s preferences and experience level.
Price
Whether you’re a cannabis newbie or a seasoned connoisseur, finding a dispensary with the products you want and are in your price range is important. It is also important to look for the right balance of smokable flowers, edibles, tinctures, concentrates and accessories.
The least cost-efficient dispensary build-out is renovating an existing free-standing building such as a former bank or restaurant. These build-outs typically include an extensive renovation, resulting in costs associated with installing new mechanicals, stripping interior walls and ceilings to accommodate the dispensary’s layout, and asbestos and lead paint abatement.
Decorative finishes are another large factor in the overall design cost. These may include hanging light fixtures, value-engineered casework, custom reception desks and bathroom vanities. The total cost for these items can easily exceed $50,000. Additionally, dispensaries must have a large initial investment in POS, surveillance equipment, and product inventory to open their doors for business. These initial investments can run up to $3,000,000 for larger facilities.