The one special day when everyone celebrates the healing herb and the impact it has on their physical and mental health is a highlight every year. In 2024, the 420 festivities will take place on the weekend, which means there will be plenty of events to choose from and connect with your local cannabis community.
Aside from the music festivals and other events this week, there is something else to look forward to— exciting discounts and offers from your local medical cannabis dispensaries. While the quantity of cannabis products you can buy is limited according to local laws, many people save their money to take advantage of steep discounts offered during the week of April 20th.
Finding those cannabis deals goes a long way to stretching your budget this month. Luckily, with a little planning and some online search, you can take advantage of discounts offered on dispensary websites, in-store orders, and loyalty programs for regular loyal customers.
Remember to plan ahead because there will be increased foot traffic to every dispensary this week, and nothing harshes your mellow more than standing in a long line (no matter how great the promotions are).
Have the best 420 week ever, immerse yourself in cannabis culture, and find all those terrific dispensary deals with some tips from your friends at DocMJ.
Step 1: Find Local Medical Cannabis Dispensaries
If you just moved to the area and are a patient with a medical card, chances are you have driven by a few dispensaries. But did you know the fastest way to find local dispensaries (and specific strains or cannabis products) is online?
Websites like Weedmaps and Leafly make it easy because all the information you are looking for (including in-stock cannabis products) is at your fingertips. Each site allows you to type in your city and state (at the top of the website) and filter your search results.
You may have yet to visit new dispensaries and explore loyalty programs. Remember, you can sign up for as many loyalty programs as you want without any restrictions. That means special discounts, invitations to member-exclusive events, announcements about new product drops, and more.
Explore the dispensary websites, and bookmark or pin your favorites so you can easily find them again. Both Weedmaps and Leafly provide some additional information for consumers, including reviews from other customers, contact information (address and phone number), and the estimated distance in miles from your home to the dispensaries.
Sometimes, the loyalty rewards at specific dispensaries may make you want to purchase exclusively from one or two retailers. However, if you are looking for the best deals (including 420 deals), you should consider exploring all your local options. It can help you save money on purchases.
Step 2: Subscribe For Dispensary Emails
You want to be aware of all upcoming promotions from the cannabis industry, not only during the week of 420 but throughout the year. It is a great opportunity to save money for both medical cannabis and recreational customers.
Now that you have bookmarked some local dispensary websites head back to the website and get subscribed to get regular emails. Anytime there are special promotions, BOGO offers, or new exciting product categories to explore, you’ll be notified. Then, you can pick and choose from so many options, from senior discounts to special pricing for veterans, first-time patient purchases, and more.
Many patients choose to subscribe by email to all local dispensaries so that they never miss out on a deal, not just on the big day (420) but throughout the year. Signing up for emails also means your inbox can get pretty full (especially leading up to April 20), so you may consider creating a new Gmail account and using it exclusively for email subscriptions and customer offers from your local dispensaries.
How Do You Subscribe for Email Offers?
Visit the website, and you should find a page for loyalty rewards and discounts. Often, the form to fill out and subscribe is located on that page. If it’s not there, check the footer area (or the bottom of the website) for a “subscribe now” prompt. If you still can’t find it, email or call the dispensary. They will be happy to assist you.
Step 3: Explore Loyalty Rewards
Many dispensaries have loyalty rewards programs for medical marijuana patients. You can participate in regular promotions when you subscribe to the dispensary’s email or newsletter. Loyal customers who frequent dispensaries can unlock access to sales and exclusive special offers when they sign up for a loyalty rewards program.
Signing up is usually a separate process, and often, there is a dedicated page on the website that provides a sign-up form and summarizes all the benefits for patients who participate in the loyalty rewards program.
The loyalty rewards programs differ by the dispensary. Some offer a discount on the first purchase (or several purchases) made by new customers, i.e., 25% off your first purchase of $100 or more. Small discounts add up to big savings throughout the year. Take the extra time to explore the loyalty programs offered by dispensaries near you.
Step 4: Find Your Best 420 Deals
Not surprisingly, some of the best deals and discounts will be offered during the week of 420. Those offers may surpass discounts provided to new customers, as well as special rewards programs. If you are enrolled in a dispensary rewards program, the 420 deals may not be stackable, or patients can be limited to one (but not both) discount offers.
Shop for the best deals on edibles, cannabis flower, and other products. Some dispensaries may also offer budget-friendly discounts on accessories and essentials, such as dry herb vaporizers, dab rigs, glassware, scent-proof storage containers, and more.
Step 5: Check Accepted Payment Methods
At some dispensaries, cash is still king for sales transactions. That is because cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) are often shut out from offering conventional credit card and debit card processing. Those that can offer debit card processing, for example, face very high fees because of the federal laws that still classify cannabis as an illegal substance.
The dispensary website should provide information on payment processing options. If it is a cash-only dispensary and you are planning to shop the deals on 420, remember to bring cash with you. Many dispensaries also provide an ATM on the premises for the convenience of customers.
If you aren’t sure, call ahead so that you aren’t stuck standing in line for all the great deals and only find you cannot check out with the cashier. Most marijuana dispensaries will have big lineups on 420, and it is also common for them to limit how many customers they permit in the store at a time.
Step 6: In Store or Online Shopping?
If you plan to visit a dispensary on 420, the recipe for success is to order online for pick up (or delivery if available). Then, you can bypass some of the waiting time. But often, dispensaries sell limited products at door-crasher prices, which means toughing the crowds to get a great deal.
In that case, arriving as early as possible is your best bet. After all, it’s 420, and you have places to be and people to see! It’s worth setting your alarm to try to beat the crowd so you can find the products you want on sale, get on with your day, and get to all the fun 420 celebrations near you.
Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers, where he has overseen the organizations’ mission and growth since 2016. In addition to his leadership roles, Aaron serves on the Board of Directors for Waterfall Bank, bringing his expertise in healthcare, compliance, and strategic growth to the financial services sector.
Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives stems from more than 20 years of owning, operating, and representing traditional healthcare organizations. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to finding better ways to relieve suffering and expand access to innovative, patient-centered care. As CEO, Aaron works each day to help patients achieve better health and wellness through the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis and other evidence-based alternative medicines.