How to Find the Best Marijuana Dispensary Near You

Whether you’re new to cannabis or a connoisseur looking to add to your list of favorite dispensaries, trying to find a marijuana dispensary that’s right for you – especially if you live in a legal state like Colorado, with more than 1000 medical and recreational businesses, or California, at almost 2,800 – can feel pretty overwhelming. So, where do you start when you want to find the best dispensary for your individual needs? It’s easy, all you need is PotGuide! In case you haven’t seen it on the site, we’ve created the Find Nearby tool to help consumers gain increased access to dispensaries in their area and narrow down which ones are a good match.

Using the PotGuide Find Nearby tool is extremely easy. All you have to do is click on the “dispensaries” tab for whatever state you’re in, then click “find nearby,” and voila! Nearby dispensaries automatically populate a map listed in order of geographic proximity. Clicking on a dispensary will feature it on the map with a phone number, address and link to the store’s profile page, making it very simple to gather information or contact them.

Example of PotGuide's Find Nearby tool.

A challenge of finding a dispensary that’s a good fit and one that you actually like is combing through reviews, and reading through them is an important part of the selection process. Cannabis doesn’t come cheap, especially if you are a medical patient, so finding a dispensary with great product, happy customers, and good staff reviews is vital for both you and your bottom line. And as fun as is it is to fall into a Yelp hole, there’s no need for you to go to all that trouble.

By using PotGuide’s Find Nearby feature, simply click on the name of the dispensary and a whole helpful universe awaits. We’ve done the work for you, showing photos of the dispensary, business hours, and an easy way for you to go to the website or check out their social media. Here, you can read the reviews of others, or even write your own.

Since there are more dispensaries than ever, competition has increased, and businesses are more interested than ever to earn and hold onto your loyalty. Keep an eye out for dispensaries that offer incentives like punch cards, bonuses, point systems, or other methods to help make your products more affordable.

Any dispensary worth their salt will feature an online menu and price points. Looking at a few dispensaries in the same area will help you get a sense of how much products in the area cost, or point to price disparities for similar products. And, checking out how much things cost on the website will lead you into the other feature of an awesome dispensary, variety.

You will definitely want to find a dispensary with a large variety of quality strains, and other options like concentrates, edibles, tinctures, and topicals – basically anything you like to shop for! A broad selection of consumption methods is also a good sign. Look for a dispensary with options like pre-rolls, vape pens, vaporizers, and different types edibles, and don’t be afraid to visually inspect your purchase for quality.

The knowledge and customer service of the staff is also a consideration when choosing a dispensary. Do the budtenders seem knowledgeable about strains? Are they able to direct you to products that are specific to your condition or needs? Are they attentive to your questions? If not, there is a business nearby that will.

And last but not least, the atmosphere of the dispensary should suit your particular taste. Perhaps you’re not really into a sterile-feeling business that literally seems like a doctor’s office. In that case, maybe something with more warmth or a dispensary that emits a Zen-like vibe is more up your alley.

With so many things to consider, choosing a dispensary can feel like a chore. But use Find Nearby, and most of the work is done for you. Happy hunting!

Photo Credit: Jamie Street (license)