What Most Dispensaries Get Wrong About Promotions (And How to Do It Right)
By Sativa Strategies Consulting
Promotions can be a major growth lever for dispensaries - but only when done strategically. In 2025, the cannabis market is more competitive than ever, and promotional missteps can quickly lead to lost revenue, wasted inventory, or margin erosion.
At Sativa Strategies Consulting, I work with cannabis businesses across the U.S. to fine-tune their promotion strategies so they support both short-term results and long-term success. Here’s what many dispensaries get wrong - and what to consider instead.
1. Promotions That Prioritize Short-Term Volume Over Long-Term Value
Relying too heavily on steep discounts can create unsustainable customer habits. Dispensaries often focus on traffic spikes, but the real opportunity lies in building strategic value and loyalty.
2. Overcomplicating the Offer Strategy
Running multiple overlapping deals can lead to internal confusion and customer fatigue. Simplicity and clarity in promotional planning often lead to stronger execution and better results.
3. Ignoring Key Metrics
Without the right tracking in place, it's difficult to know what’s truly working. Many dispensaries struggle to link promotions to real performance, which limits their ability to refine and improve.
4. Copycat Strategies
Looking at what competitors are doing is natural - but blindly replicating deals without considering your own product mix, margins, and goals can do more harm than good.
5. Lack of a Promotional Framework
Ad hoc promotions often lead to inconsistent results. A structured approach, built around key business objectives and data insights, helps ensure your promotions are working for your business, not against it.
How to Get It Right
At Sativa Strategies Consulting, I help dispensaries develop customized promotional strategies that align with their unique goals, inventory, and brand. Rather than relying on heavy discounts or guesswork, we focus on sustainable, data-informed approaches that protect margins and drive measurable growth.
Need help reworking your cannabis promotions? Let’s talk. Contact Me.