How do you determine if a dispensary is worth it? Most of the time, we head into a dispensary to re-up our stash, maybe browse new products, and get out. However, certain consumers are picky about which dispensaries to support, and we don’t blame them.

Most consumers have had their fair share of negative dispensary experiences, myself included. Whether it was a weird interaction with a budtender or you didn’t quite understand the shop’s layout, there are plenty of things that can make or break a dispensary experience.

In this guide, we break them down into 4 distinct categories. Use this guide as your personal rating system next time you try a new dispensary. That way, you’ll have an easier time knowing which dispensaries are worth it while making solid recommendations to your best buds. Read on to learn more.

If it isn’t apparent, the most essential part of a dispensary experience is a pleasant interaction with budtenders. Budtenders are the retail associates behind the counter connecting you with your products. Before heading to a dispensary, we suggest checking out their reviews.

That way, you can get a good idea of what to expect. This is especially true when it comes to customer service, as consumers aren’t afraid to spill the beans when experiencing negative encounters.

If you get a weird look, don’t obtain the response you were looking for, or simply find your budtender unhelpful, don’t be afraid to never show your face there again. Don’t support a dispensary with staff that makes you feel unimportant.

The second most apparent factor when seeking a pleasant dispensary experience is the shop’s product selection. After all, the reason you’re heading to a dispensary is to pick up a product (or a few).

Product selection varies from shop to shop, and some dispensaries will carry certain brands while others won’t. Not carrying certain brands or products doesn’t make a shop bad, but when the product selection doesn’t rotate much, and season after season, you’re stuck with the same options, consider switching things up.

In my opinion, this can make or break a dispensary. There are so many cannabis products on the market, and let’s face it, some of them can be very expensive. We all deserve to try these products, but when there’s a hefty price tag, we’re more inclined to put the product back on the shelf and think, “Maybe next paycheck.”

If you’re shopping at a dispensary that never has deals or discounts, or doesn’t have a member program, considers trying somewhere that does. You’ll be surprised to see your favorite products available at much lower prices. Most high-end dispensaries refrain from offering major discounts to maintain their high-end name, but that’s BS. Find a dispensary with discounts and a member program, and save that money!

Is it a breath of fresh air when walking into the dispensary? Or is it kind of dark, offputting, and weirdly organized? Don’t look past a shop’s interior design when determining if it’s worth your time.

Chances are, if the owners cared enough about the customer experience, they would design the store to reflect it. From the moment you step foot into a dispensary, you should feel excited, not second-guessing their stylistic choices. If a dispensary is neat, bright, tidy, and contemporarily designed, chances are, it’s worth your time.