The cannabis industry has seen a boom over the last few years, and while it’s not quite legal in all states yet, more are jumping on board. If you’re looking to start your own dispensary or grow operation, there are a few things you need to know before making any big decisions. For starters, you should know how to find the right location for your shop because most people are searching for pot shops near me.
Here are some tips that can help.
- Market Research
The most important step is to conduct market research before you set up a cannabis dispensary. It is important to know who your target customer base are, how many people in the area is likely to buy from you, and what they want. You can do this by analyzing how many people enter the search query “recreational dispensary near me”.
You also need to find a place that will be accepted by the community and has enough foot traffic so people can buy from you on their way home or after work.
If your target prospects are the young hipsters, then the best location should be in a trendy part of town. If you want to target older people or those with more money, your dispensary will need to be located somewhere that’s at least somewhat established and where there are higher incomes.
Also, take note of your surrounding business competitors who may draw your potential customers to their shops instead of yours.
- State Licenses
If you want to open your own dispensary in a state where cannabis is legal, make sure that the state has issued a license for dispensaries and it also regulates the industry.
If your municipality or state is anti-cannabis, it is likely that they will not allow you to open a dispensary.This means that if your state has strict regulations, then the best option would be to find an area where cannabis is allowed and set up there in order to avoid unnecessary legal issues with local governments. For example, Oregon allows for dispensaries but Colorado does not.
- Zoning Code Requirements
The zoning code often dictates where a cannabis dispensary can set up shop. Many places have instituted bans on dispensaries and marijuana production facilities, so contacting the city or town that you plan to operate in will be necessary for determining availability of land zoned for commercial use.
- Be Straightforward With Your Landlord
Finding a good landlord that can be comfortable with your cannabis business can be tough.
That’s because some landlords have preconceived dispositions toward marijuana and will not rent to a dispensary.
One thing landlords might ask for in some states is proof of a lease or permit from the state, which all dispensaries need before they can open up shop. They will also want to know if you have any criminal convictions, so be honest about that and any other information asked.
With any location, landlords obviously have a lot of power. Be upfront with them about your intentions to set up a cannabis dispensary on their property and they will respect you for it. This way, there are no surprises down the road and both parties can work together more easily as partners in this arrangement.
The Bottom Line
It’s important to find the right location for your cannabis dispensary. The key things that you should consider are zoning code requirements, good landlord relationships, state licenses, and market research