Top 5 Ways To Find Dispensaries

The world of legal cannabis can be a bit overwhelming. Whether you are living in — or visiting — an area of the country that has cannabis readily available to purchase at a store, the options can be intimidating. I thought it would be a good idea to track a customer's journey through this experience, starting with the top 5 ways to find a quality dispensary.

1. Mobile maps

There's an abundance of mobile map services that can help you find what you're looking for, even weed. Some of my go-to's are Waze (great for beating traffic), Google Maps (awesome for providing a picture of the store for reference), and Apple Maps (a perfect option if you want to take a scenic route full of adventure and mystery).

2. Cannabis industry platforms

Leafly is the industry standard. Weedmaps is a good reference when you're visiting a new city. Pot Guide is comprehensive and informative.

3. Word of mouth

The old standard. Ask around. See what the friendly locals say about the dispensaries in their town. Or, if you're not the outgoing type, you can always see what the resident Cannabis Karen has to say about her conversations with dispensary managers on Yelp.

4. Look for deals

Competition has grown as more dispensaries have opened, and to stand out some have begun offering a variety of deals. These can range from typical sales, to punch cards, to point systems. Whatever the case, look for a dispensary that will hook you up at the best price.

5. Print advertising

If you're more into the analog lifestyle, fear 5G technology, or your cellphone is dead, you can always pick up a trusty indie newspaper in any city you're in and likely find listings for all kinds of cannabis shops.

Whatever avenue you choose, I hope these tips help you avoid analysis paralysis when you're looking for the perfect cannabis shopping experience.