by Douglas Kester
Knowing how to sell weed used to be a matter of back allies and risk-takers, but legalization is changing the game. Acquiring indica or sativa seeds, cultivating crops at home, and setting up shop is now a legitimate business opportunity — so how can retailers sell cannabis successfully?
It can be quite a feat, but it begins with the right marketing. Here are the top three tricks for a successful marijuana store:
Build Your Brand
Selling marijuana means facing endless competition looking to tap into the rapidly expanding market. You are not the only merchant in town, so highlight yourself as the best for a specific purpose. Extract sellers can revolve their narrative around efficient and easy consumption, pairing with paraphernalia retailers for bonus points.
It can also be informative — teaching users how to grow weed indoors goes well with seed selling. Cannabis dispensaries may educate on the benefits of pot for physical and mental health, but be sure to check with different state laws on growing marijuana indoors. Just because a state has legalized the sale of adult-use marijuana does not mean residents are allowed to grow it if they do not have a business license.
Cooperate With Influencers
Most tips on selling weed overlap with selling anything online. It is all about developing an audience, inspiring loyalty, and spreading the word to reach new prospective customers. Since cannabis has had quite a reputation for the past century, the loyalty part is tricky. That is where influencers come in handy.
These social media personas command large audiences who trust their suggestions. Even better if there is a 420-friendly one in your district. Small companies work best in local markets, so find a person without a controversial history, send free products, and have them review and endorse your company — instant visibility and a reputation boost.
Get Transparent
Finally, the best way to sell cannabis, and succeed, revolves around transparency. This niche was once full of seedy dealers, and you are fighting against those expectations while communicating with your audience. Your store should communicate all information a prospective buyer might find relevant, such as disclosing laws and regulations as well as seed types and growing methods. The show of expertise does wonders for public opinions. You can also discuss the positives of your product, but do not disregard the negatives. Avoid grandiose statements to attract attention and link your face to your brand.
Grow Your Canna-Business
You are in for a fun entrepreneurial challenge. Today’s tips for selling weed focus on the specifics for 420 companies, so start there and work your way to advanced marketing strategies.
Remember these key takeaways:
- Branding matters — surpass your competition with a solid presence.
- Endorsements help — use the influencers’ reputation to build yours.
- Transparency is key — beat the old ganja stereotypes with reliable info.
Now that you know how to sell cannabis, why not give it a shot? Establish your business as the crop develops — both will be ready by winter.
Douglas Kester, a cannabis growing expert at I49 Seed Bank. He has been working in the weed industry for more than 10 years. During that period, he built up a vast experience and depth of expertise in this field. Douglas has a detailed understanding of every aspect of marijuana, from its cultivation and species to the effects it brings. He is also up to date on all the cannabis-related legislation nuances.