Navigating the Ganja Galaxy – Where Educated Consumers Meet a Nebula of Dispensary Delights

In the vast expanse of the cannabis universe, where endless strains twinkle like stars and dispensaries are galaxies waiting to be explored, (un)educated consumers embark on a celestial journey through the undiscovered space of endless possibilities.

Coming from a space nerd and canna nerd, I find the comparison amusing, especially considering my frequent high state. As we enter the era of dispensaries popping up in Illinois as quickly as car washes, choosing one becomes a cosmic decision on loyalty.

I remember having to drive 15-25 minutes in either direction to find a medical dispensary. Now, I can leave La Rosita, grab some elote, and head over to Cannabist Villa Park for some herb.

In Illinois, the laws create a landscape with a lack of variety. When every dispensary/MSO/vertically integrated entity is carrying the same products, it raises the question of what sets this dispensary apart from the one just 7 minutes away.

For me, the overall experience significantly influences my desire to return. The chance to pick a budtender’s brain while making a purchase is crucial, even if I already know what I want. Now, picture being a newbie or new to the Illinois legal market, and the budtender directs you to a kiosk before approaching the counter. The new guest might hesitate to ask questions they have, not knowing what they don’t know!

Some consumers focus solely on flower and overlook the availability of tinctures and topicals. One of the most significant missed opportunities I’ve observed is with classic high-THC purchasers. In my past role as an inventory buyer, I wondered why some excellent concentrates didn’t move as often. These high-ticket items ended up being discounted or, worse, DESTROYED! I realized my budtenders were suggesting alternatives like, “Oh, you want that $90 Live Rosin? You should consider this 2g Cured Resin for $80.”

I totally understand, to an extent. Our prices aren’t exactly budget-friendly, and budtenders just want their guests to have a dope experience – perhaps aiming for that better tip! Some guests prioritize the monetary value, while others, like myself, are more interested in understanding why the price difference exists and then make a decision with that in mind.

Take that $90 Live Rosin that’s about to expire; it’s now discounted. Does this story sound familiar? Solventless vs. solvent and live vs. cured. To an experienced consumer, that recommendation might seem perplexing.

My grievances with transactions like that stem from the feeling that budtenders are sometimes shopping with their wallets. This brings me to my belief in paying our budtenders more – enough so that they don’t feel the need to “down sell” for an extra tip. Providing a cost-of-living wage and offering incentives would not only benefit the front-line employees but also the business as a whole.

In my personal approach, I always advised guests that “your nose knows.” I encouraged them not to fixate on THC percentages but instead focus on lineage and terpene profiles. When a strain like Gelato sells out, it’s comforting to know the parent strains for another similar recommendation!

If you’ve ever smoked 32% Florida Oranges, it hits different than 32% GMO. Despite both being 32%, one may end up being more enjoyable than the other. This difference often stems from the terpenes and effects that a cultivar has on your endocannabinoid system. Personally, I favor GMO over Florida Oranges.

So, why would I choose Dispensary A over B? They all have the the same opportunities to carry High Supply, Aeriz, Daze Off, Kiva, Wana, Ozone and more. Some consumers do value price, while others value budtender knowledge and loyalty. As someone with a veteran discount on their profile, if one store offers 10% and the other offers 15%, I might prefer to save that extra 5%. However, there are times I’ll still choose the shop with the lesser discount because I know that behind the counter is knowledge and passion.

The post emphasizes the significance of offering diverse products beyond flower and discusses missed opportunities with high-ticket items and lower thc options. It touches on the impact of budtender recommendations influenced by personal preferences and suggests that better compensation for budtenders could lead to more genuine interactions. Don’t even get me started on samples.

If you are familiar with the industry, I’d love for you to comment below about your experience(s)and/ or expertise so I can come stop by and say HIGH !