In reviewing dispensaries, several factors are taken into consideration by our team before making any decisions. We’ve developed the following analysis tool after years of cannabis Brand Management experience. This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will act as the foundation for all of our future dispo reviews.
Objective
To ensure consistent, comprehensive, and repeatable reviews of dispensaries, this SOP outlines the process and criteria for evaluating dispensaries across multiple categories.
We encourage our readers to build on this foundation. You may want to review based on other criteria, maybe regional access, environmental stewardship, or community engagement.
Need Your Own SOP? Call Us!
As a business owner in cannabis, SOPs are crucial for organization and efficiency, which foster effectiveness and therefore profit. But we understand your time is valuable, so let us build it for you in less than 24 hours! We can design any kind of SOP your business needs to stay adept.
Contact Information:
Categories and Subcategories
Potential customers need to know the basics: who, what, where, & when?
1. Dispensary Information
– Name: The official name of the dispensary.
– Location: The full address and geographical details.
– Hours: Operating hours for weekdays and weekends.
2. Deals
– Promotions: Regular promotions offered (e.g., daily deals, first-time discounts).
– Loyalty Programs: Description and benefits of any loyalty programs.
– Special Events: Any special events or limited-time offers.
3. Selection
– Product Variety: Range of products (flower, edibles, concentrates, etc.).
– Brand Availability: Different brands carried by the dispensary.
– Product Quality: Quality of products based on freshness, potency, and presentation.
Next, consider the workings and operations of the club: How good are the BTs? Does the setup work successfully; and how does it stack up to its local competition?
4. Budtending
– Staff Knowledge: Expertise and knowledge of the staff.
– Customer Service: Friendliness and helpfulness of the staff.
– Consultation Experience: Quality of advice and consultation provided.
5. Efficiency
– Wait Times: Average wait times during peak and off-peak hours.
– Order Process: Ease and speed of the ordering process.
– Payment Options: Availability of different payment methods.
6. Competitiveness (Price)
– Pricing Structure: Overview of pricing for various products.
– Comparison: Comparison with nearby dispensaries.
– Value for Money: Overall assessment of price vs. quality.
Finally, & most importantly, you might analyze the dispensary’s footprint. For example, how easy is it for customers to purchase? Is the layout thoughtfully organized for all people? What has the Dispo done for the community or the industry?
7. Accessibility
– Location Accessibility: Ease of access via public transport and parking facilities.
– Website/Online Presence: Quality of the dispensary’s website and online ordering system.
– Physical Accessibility: Compliance with ADA and other accessibility standards.
8. Safety & Security
– Security Measures: Presence of security personnel, cameras, and other measures.
– Product Safety: Handling and storage of products.
– Consumer Safety: Measures in place for consumer safety within the dispensary.
9. Social Media
– Engagement: Level of engagement on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, etc.
– Content Quality: Quality and frequency of social media content.
– Customer Interaction: Responsiveness and interaction with customers online.
10. Consumer Feedback
– Online Reviews: Summary of reviews from Google, Yelp, Leafly, etc.
– Customer Testimonials: Direct feedback from customers.
– Reputation: General reputation and word-of-mouth among consumers.
How to Implement Our SOP
Below we have listed what is necessary to conduct what we believe is an enlightening, relevant, and professional review on dispensaries.
Five Keys to A Successful Review
Remember, if we don’t do this with integrity, we’re not Budtenders, BAs, or Consultants, we’re just the loudest mouth in the room. Even a fool can be made to look wise by keeping silent and observing. This is our job, our manifest destiny as BTs & BAs: we are the check, the counterweight, the equalizer, the gatekeeper.
Just like the scientific method, there is the cannabis review method. We need to have claims based on evidence and then testing
If you are planning on using the following information, please take the time to conduct the Review as thoroughly as is required.
A professional review can make or break some smaller dispensaries and it can be a thorn in the side of larger ones, so if you are prepared to make a claim, don’t be a chump! Back up your claims with firsthand evidence.
1. Preparation
– Gather basic information about the dispensary (name, location, hours).
– Review the dispensary’s website and social media profiles.
– Collect any preliminary customer feedback or reviews.
2. On-Site Visit
– Visit the dispensary during peak and off-peak hours.
– Interact with the staff to assess budtending and customer service.
– Observe and note the efficiency of the ordering and payment process.
– Evaluate the product selection and quality.
– Inspect safety and security measures in place.
3. Data Collection
– Record observations in each subcategory.
– Take photos (if allowed) to document the visit.
– Collect any promotional materials or information on deals and loyalty programs.
4. Analysis
– Compare pricing and product variety with nearby dispensaries.
– Assess the accessibility of the dispensary, both physical and online.
– Evaluate the overall consumer experience based on interactions and feedback.
5. Reporting
– Compile the findings into a structured review.
– Include ratings for each category and subcategory.
– Provide a summary and final recommendation.
The following is a blank Review Template free to use at your discretion within and throughout the cannabis industry.
1. Dispensary Information
– Name:
– Location:
– Hours:
2. Deals
– Promotions:
– Loyalty Programs:
– Special Events:
3. Selection
– Product Variety:
– Brand Availability:
– Product Quality:
4. Budtending
– Staff Knowledge:
– Customer Service:
– Consultation Experience:
5. Efficiency
– Wait Times:
– Order Process:
– Payment Options:
6. Competitiveness (Price)
– Pricing Structure:
– Comparison:
– Value for Money:
7. Accessibility
– Location Accessibility:
– Website/Online Presence:
– Physical Accessibility:
8. Safety & Security
– Security Measures:
– Product Safety:
– Consumer Safety:
9. Social Media
– Engagement:
– Content Quality:
– Customer Interaction:
10. Consumer Feedback
– Online Reviews:
– Customer Testimonials:
– Reputation:
Summary and Recommendation
Overall Rating: [Out of 5 stars or %]
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Chronicler Cannabis Historians 
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