A Quick Comment on Canna-Competition in New York City

New York City has about 40 legal dispensaries, at least 50 licensees who were just approved, and a little over a thousand illicit dispensaries, We’re not talking about those illicit dispensaries here. Ever. New York City has an increasing illicit drug problem, and while small businesses and legacy markets will always be around, I do not recommend shopping with corner delis or random dealers as you cannot confirm what’s been put into those products. That’s just a fact. Stick to your friends and friends’ trusted dealers.

With the increase in dispensaries, there’s an increase in the competition different businesses will have to face as consumers decide where to spend their money. From Dazed and Gotham, to Housing Works and The Travel Agency, consumers in New York City are faced with a wide array of brands to choose from, and an even wider array of budtenders to assist those purchasing their recreational materials.

As a budtender myself, a common question I get is: how do we handle the competition with other dispensaries?

There are a few similarities all dispensaries face when they are operating:

• All product has to be bought at the same price wholesale and sold at a minimum price to consumers. This is an obvious prevention to a de facto monopoly as stores can jack up prices, but not offer ridiculously low pricing. The playing field is rather level.

• Discounts are NOT allowed! The Office of Cannabis Management prohibits discounts, sales, or any other language communicating to customers there is a sale on their products.

• Dispensaries are not allowed to have cannabis products on display to the public.

• All dispensaries are only allowed to carry products from brands licensed, processed, and distributed in New York State.

The biggest difference you’ll face when shopping at dispensaries is the budtender. Your budtender experience is the most independent variable in any dispensary equation and can change even with every visit to the same dispensary.

Budtenders are available to answer your questions with knowledge provided to them by state vendors, available cannabis literature, and anecdotal examples when surveying consumers on their experience. You’ll know when you’ve met the right budtender for you, those conversations come naturally and you’re pleased with your purchase.

When shopping in New York, keep in mind the most important factor: weed sells itself, you don’t need anyone pushing product and making you feel uncomfortable.