What's The Benefit of Using a Dispensary Directory?

If you’re looking for the best dry herb, cartridges, edibles, tinctures, and topicals available, where should you start? Can you simply type in what you are looking for on Google? Or should you be using a dispensary directory to find the best products? What tool works best for finding the best herb in town? Although a dispensary directory like Leafly or Weedmaps might seem a bit outdated, they do offer consumers and dispenaries some added benefits. Read on to learn about various dispensary locating tools and why you should consider using one the next time you are looking for a place to pick up.

How Do Dispensary Directories Work?

Allow us to begin by explaining exactly what a “dispensary directory” is. For those of us who remember living life without the internet, you could say that a dispensary directory is a type of Yellow Pages meant specifically for dispensaries. These directories provide a list of licensed medical or recreational dispensaries, with their address and contact information. However, for those of us who have been using the internet since birth, you could say a  directory dispensary is a search engine built to only list licensed dispensaries. It’s like Google Maps built for dispensaries.

What do the Directories Provide

These dispensary directories can provide a store’s contact information, location on a map, and more. Depending on the subscription level that the dispensary has paid for through the directory service, they can also allow access to the store’s current menu, deals, reviews, and online ordering. Although most dispensary directories will list a dispensary’s location for free on their map search feature, the business will often have to pay extra to provide customers with the convenience of browsing live-updated menus and placing orders online for pick up or delivery. They can be a convenient tool when searching for a specific strain of dry herb or the closest dispensary near you. But, there is more than just one dispensary directory out there, and it can be difficult to tell which one offers you the most information as a customer.

Can You Use Google Maps To Find Dispensaries Instead?

So, if you’re not sure which dispensary directory to use, then can you just do a Google search instead? A dispensary directory is a version of Google Maps for dispensaries after all -- but not quite. Directories built specifically for dispensaries can offer both businesses and consumers additional benefits. These directories will often verify a recreational or medical dispensary’s state operating license so that as a consumer, you know that your search results only included licensed, legal businesses. This can provide you with greater peace of mind when buying products in an industry that is still under rapid development and careful regulation. Licensed dispensaries will only carry products made by licensed manufacturers, who can also provide a third-party laboratory analysis of any product they make. This means that you can easily track down exactly what is included in any dry herb, topical, tinctures, edible, or any other item on the dispensary’s shelves.

So although you can use Google Maps to find dispensaries near you, some of the results might not be what you were hoping for. Google does go through lengths to verify businesses, however, they do not currently go as far as to verify recreational or medical dispensary licenses. If you’re a medical patient in particular, then using a dispensary directory is probably the best tool for finding the products you’re looking for. However, if you’re a recreational customer who prefers the convenience of Google, then doing a quick search is still an option.

How Do Dispensary Directories Help You?

There are a few different reasons why a dispensary might invest in being listed on a dispensary directory's website. The cost per dispensary can start as high as $400 per month, which can become quite hefty for a business. However, it can also prove to be a worthwhile investment in the long run. The first and most obvious benefit is that it will make the lives of their customers easier. As a customer, you can not only search for a dispensary’s location using a directory, but you also often have the option to save your favorite dispensaries, browse their current menu, check out their deals, and place an online order for pick up or delivery. A dispensary directory can be a one-stop shop for all of your dispensary needs and questions.

Leafly and Weedmaps

Two of the dispensary directories that have been around since the beginning of legalized cannabis in the U.S. are Leafly and Weedmaps. They are currently considered the leaders of directories, although new businesses are emerging every day to challenge their position, such as dutchie, PotGuide, and many others. However, since they were around since the medical days, Leafly and Weedmaps offer the most dispensary listings and biggest online presence, in an industry that is often censored on social media. Dispensary directories aim to make it easier for both customers to find licensed dispensaries and dispensaries to find interested customers. These directories are a good place to start your search, however, personal investigation is always encouraged. You’ll never know what dispensary, dry herb, edibles, wax, topical, or tincture you might like if you don’t get offline and check it out for yourself.

Related Blog Post

Can You Use A Credit Card at a Dispensary?

What Do You Need To Shop At A Dispensary?

What Form of ID Can Be Used At A Dispensary?