“Businesses take risks all the time,” Orenstein said. That means advertising is currently one giant gray area, like almost everything else in the legal marijuana industry.Īnd Orenstein said that means dispensaries advertising in Indiana are taking a risk - local governments, the state or the federal government could theoretically block it. “Here, we’ve got far more questions than answers.” “That is really strange, and it makes it hard to interpret the precedent that we have for advertising rules,” he said. But federally, it remains in the most restrictive Schedule 1 category - same as heroin or LSD.

Thirty-seven states have legalized medical marijuana, and 18 have legalized it recreationally. “But we’ve never done that for something that’s federally illegal, like cannabis is.” “The courts have generally said ‘Well, if it’s legal where the action will occur, that’s OK - even if you hear this radio ad across the border.’” Orenstein said. There are regulations limiting what and how something can be advertised - think tobacco companies or alcohol - but billboards are generally less restricted, and there’s a lot of legal precedent surrounding advertising across state lines. He said there’s a lot of history in America of businesses setting up just across the border when something is illegal in one place but legal in another - think casinos in Nevada or liquor stores just outside of dry counties.Īnd he said advertising is protected by the First Amendment. One of his research areas is marijuana law and policy. But marijuana is still not legal in Indiana - so how are all these dispensaries able to advertise here?ĭaniel Orenstein is a visiting assistant professor of law at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. Some of those dollars are definitely coming from Hoosiers. The numbers are similar for Illinois - in 2021, the industry there sold $1.38 billion worth of marijuana, with an average of $4.4 million per day in December.

According to a March 2020 Michigan State University study, the industry has the potential to reach $3 billion in sales in the next few years - bringing a total economic impact of $7.8 billion. They beckon Hoosiers across those state borders into the land of legalized marijuana - and some are undoubtedly making the trip.įor example, the Michigan towns of Niles and Buchanan - just across the border from South Bend - have eight dispensaries between them, selling to both medical and recreational customers.Īnd in 2021, the Michigan marijuana industry made $1.79 billion in sales. If you’ve taken a road trip in the past few years, you’ve definitely spotted the billboards dotting Indiana’s interstates and highways advertising cannabis dispensaries in Michigan and Illinois. You can see what dispensary deals are available near you at any time using the Leafly app.A billboard advertising Green Stem Provisioning, a dispensary located in Niles, Michigan. Common dispensary deals include first-time customer discounts, early bird specials, loyalty rewards, percent off deals, veteran discounts, and more. Additionally, dispensaries will sometimes offer deals like BOGOs to help move inventory quicker, or to help promote a new grower or brand. Sometimes these deals are targeted at new customers, while other deals reward current customers for ongoing loyalty. Common dispensary menu items include cannabis flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, and topicals.ĭispensaries often offer special discounts or deals on weed. The size and diversity of dispensary menus varies based on many external factors, such as the marijuana laws of the particular state and the cannabis resources available in the area to create cannabis products. You can view dispensary menus online using the Leafly app, or you can read the in-store menu after you arrive. When you visit a dispensary, you’ll order from a menu. You can check your local dispensary hours at any time on.

In most states, you can usually count on dispensaries being open during most holidays and special events. For example, not every state is allowed to have dispensaries open 24/7, but some states can. You may find dispensary hours in some states have stricter rules than in others and may only be allowed to operate under strict conditions. Most dispensaries have regular business hours, but some also offer special hours such as early morning or late in the evening. Before you head out on your cannabis adventure, make yourself familiar with your options and what to look for. Much like other local businesses, every dispensary has their own operating procedures, offerings, and perks. Visiting a dispensary can be a fun and exciting experience.

Green stem dispensary menu