If you are reading this blog, chances are, you are already quite aware, if not already a willing participant, in the proliferation of medical marijuana. Though Prop 215 was passed by the voters of California more than a decade ago (I’m serious, go look it up), it hasn’t been until quite recently that dispensaries became rather prolific in the city of Angels. In fact, the ubquitous Starbucks are finally outnumbered by dispensaries, which may come as a shock to many but really shouldn’t. On every major street, behind every shopping center, whichever corner you happen to be walking by, you can be sure that there is a dispensary within earshot.
Many are impossible to miss due to a large green neon sign with an acronym that is more likely than not to contain the words medical, healing, holisitic, club, collective, co-op, gree, compasionate, etc. etc (by the way, is there like a secret committee that comes up with these key words). However, let’s not delude ourselves into believing there is no stigma attached to marijuana, and accordingly, many other dispensaries are not so easy to find, even with an address. This begs the question, if one were a patient, new or otherwise, how would one locate a nearby dispensary. And even more important, how would one know if the price quality ratio of the medicine is even up to par?
There are actually many different avenues one could take in search of a dispensary. If one were to visit a dispensary, one could find a myriad of phamplets and periodicals strewn with ads for dispensaries. But having to visit a dispensary to find a dispensary seems… well you get the point. Another option would be to just walk around and look for one, but this is LA, do people actually walk? Which bring us to what’s probably the best option outside of reccomendations from trusted friends and associates, the good ol world wide web. There already exist numerous websites with listings of dispensaries with cooresponding information and sometimes even reviews. But with so many different dispensaries all within a 5 minute drive, how does one choose which one to go to?
First thing to do would be to check their website. And if a dispensary doesn’t have a website? Let’s just put it this way, if you had the choice of walking into a store with large windows, well lit front, clear signs with prices and pictures, versus a store where the only thing visible is the front door and store name, which one would you be more likely to walk into first?
A website can also provide a lot of services at no cost for a potential patient, ie dispensary hours, location, contact number, policies, product availability and pricing, etc., and who doesn’t like free services? One of the most frustrating things for a patient is to call a dispensary only to find that the person answering the phone refuses to give you any information citing “store policiy.” Even worse is when no one answers, and the worst is when the number has been disconnected. What kind of patient would waste his or her time going to a dispensary and registering only to find they don’t have what they want, its too expensive, or the dispensary is no longer even at the listed location! Personally, dispensaries that don’t have a website, and even those with a website but a poorly designed/run website, are out of the running automatically when it comes time to refill my prescription.
In the past when there wasn’t a dispensary on every corner, dispensaries could afford to be not patient-friendly and get away with it due to the utter lack of competition. Such days are bygone, and while the patients are better for it, dispensaries that do not adapt to the new status quo will inevitably fail.
If you are reading this blog, chances are, you are already quite aware, if not already a willing participant, in the proliferation of medical marijuana. Though Prop 215 was passed by the voters of California more than a decade ago , it hasn’t been until quite recently that dispensaries became rather prolific in the city of Angels. In fact a recent report showed that Starbucks are finally outnumbered by dispensaries in Los Angeles, which may come as a shock to many but really shouldn’t. On every major street, behind every shopping center, whichever corner you happen to be walking by, you can be sure that there is a dispensary within earshot.
Many are impossible to miss due to a large green neon sign with an acronym that is more likely than not to contain the words medical, healing, holistic, club, collective, co-op, compassionate, etc. etc (by the way, is there like a secret committee that comes up with these key words? –haha). However, let’s not delude ourselves into believing there is no stigma attached to marijuana, and accordingly, many other dispensaries are not so easy to find even with an address. This begs the question, if one were a patient, new or otherwise, how would one locate a nearby dispensary? And even more important, how would one know if the price quality ratio of the medicine is even up to par?
There are actually many different avenues a patient may take in search of a dispensary. If one were to visit a dispensary, they could find a myriad of pamphlets and periodicals strewn with ads for dispensaries. But having to visit a dispensary to find a dispensary seems a little… well you get the point. Another option would be to just walk around and look for one, but this is LA, who’s walking? Which bring us to what’s probably the best option outside of recommendations from trusted friends and associates, the good ol world wide web. That’s where 420 Web Pros comes in! There already exist numerous websites with listings of dispensaries with corresponding information and sometimes even reviews. But with so many different dispensaries all within a 5 minute drive, how does one choose which one to go to? Isn’t it time you set yourself apart from the competition by signing up for a custom web solution?
First thing to do would be to check their website. And if a dispensary doesn’t have a website? Let’s put it this way, if you had the choice of walking into a store with large windows, a well lit front, & clear signs with prices and pictures, versus a store where the only thing visible is the front door and store name, which one would you be more likely to walk into first?
A website can also provide a lot of services at no cost for a potential patient, i.e. dispensary hours, location, contact number, policies, product availability and photos, etc., and who doesn’t like free services? One of the most frustrating things for a patient is to call a dispensary only to find that the person answering the phone refuses to give you any information citing “store policy.” Even worse is when no one answers, and the worst is when the number has been disconnected. What kind of patient would want to waste his or her time going to a dispensary and registering only to find they don’t have what they want, its too expensive, or the dispensary is no longer even at the listed location?
“Personally, dispensaries that don’t have a website, and even those with a website but a poorly designed/run website, are out of the running automatically when it comes time to refill my prescription.”
In the past when there wasn’t a dispensary on every corner, dispensaries could afford to be “not so patient-friendly” and get away with it due to the utter lack of competition. Such days are bygone, and while the patients are better for it, dispensaries that do not adapt to the new status quo will inevitably fail. Don’t let this happen to your business, give us a call today! (323) 419-4205
More and more people every day are realizing the advantages of e-commerce, including those interested in the medical marijuana industry. E-commerce is the wave of the future, and if you don’t have a website, there is a strong chance that potential customers will overlook your business. At 420 Web Pros, we will help you keep your competitive edge with advanced, aesthetically pleasing website designs and effective e-commerce solutions. With an efficient website and easy to use e-commerce system, your medical cannabis business will rise above the competition. 
