Industry mavericks are on the front lines working to make marijuana mainstream. Strains have crazy names with counter-culture logos. Dispensaries have unmemorable names related to medicine and health. Logos and packaging are undergoing an identity crisis. Branding experts are exploring ideas to rebrand the entire cannabis industry.

Cannabis is not just for stoners anymore and dispensary owners will need to consider this for future success. Let's look 10 years down the road... will Trainwreck, Green Crack & Chemdawg stand the test of time? Will the government and corporate America embrace the irreverent attitude that fueled this market?
And just as important, will it resonate with future consumers?

As the industry progresses and infiltrates all 50 states, the overall "branding" of cannabis related business and products will be important to the success of the end of prohibition. Imagine if Jack Daniels had been called Death Wish.

Food for thought  click here

Canna Law Blog article  - because Branding is important.

Have you ever looked at your #potshop from your customers point of view?  How do they experience your brand?
And more importantly, aside from your stellar strains or the best pricing in town - what really keeps your customers coming back?

Have you ever wondered what people say about your shop when they leave, or what they say to their friends about the experience... or if they even bother mentioning you?

How does your space feel to your customers? How is the lighting? Does it create both a mood as well as highlight your product in the best possible light? Are the corners of your store dark and dank...or does it feel like an operating room? Think about your favorite restaurant, bar or retail shop, what is it about the atmosphere that keeps you coming back? Have you achieved a similar response to your space? Does your artwork and merchandising engage and entertain the customer. Are you able to easily upsell accessories. Is the flow of your store functional not only for business operations, but also for your customers to easily browse products and feel comfortable?

How would you like customers to describe your store? Food for thought... Can they even remember the name of your store or do they simply know it's on the corner of such and such.

As #DenverDispensaries are ready to rebrand from medical to recreational, does the face of your business need to change to attract both target markets? Do you cater to college kids or baby boomers? The demographics of these target markets are very different, are you successfully attracting all of them?  The consumer has many choices, how they "feel" in your space matters.

Interior Designers help you to effortlessly pull together the elements to make a store special, giving it a cohesive look and feel. To make sure that colors, textures and furnishings are balanced and in scale. Their job is to make the process easy and fun for you, to ensure that the final result will be worth the investment. Many a DIYer has wasted a ton of money, only to achieve mediocre results. Designers have resources and ideas that you don't have the time to track down or even care to think about.

As the #CannabisIndustry grows and struggles to maintain a professional front, it is our responsibility, to the industry to show our operations as serious businesses that will be around for the long-term. Think of an Interior Designer as an investment in the concept before the investment in the build-out. In the long run, this will save you time and money and help you avoid costly mistakes. Wise entrepreneurs look to the professionals for the skills they lack. Chances are, you are more interested in running your budding business than searching for the perfect shape, size and color of ______ for your space. Interior design is all about the details. It takes time and patience... It's a process and most business owners don't have the interest or experience to attend to these details effectively.

The good news is that you don't have to let your business suffer as a result of your lack of time and patience.  Luckily there are design geeks out there obsessed with creating amazing transformations and cultivating loyal customers for the long-term.

For help with your #Dispensary interior design and branding, consider a professional who is passionate about their craft.
Click here for more Pot Shop Designs

Ask any marijuana dispensary owner if it's easy money and you will find that the investment of time, money and energy is significant. In the wild wild west, where the rules seem to change weekly, the pot-reprenuer has more to worry about than tending to their buds. For more insight check out INC MAGAZINE'S article How to Open a Medical Marijuana Dipsensary.


http://www.inc.com/guides/201105/how-to-open-a-medical-marijuana-dispensary.html

Thanks High Times for the perfect weed related playlist for our 420 celebration in Denver. Starting with Cab Calloway's 1932 tune "Reefer Man" to "Don't Bogart that Joint" to the Bob Marley classics. Here's 25+ tunes to make your celebration stoked with meaning.  http://www.hightimes.com/read/top-25-pot-songs-all-time

I am the Walrus

It's legal ~ and we have something to celebrate! How will you be spending your day?  The Cannabis Cup? Civic Center Park, dancing in the streets at Cervantes or trying your hand at Canvas & Cannabis! There's so much going on in Denver we might have to take the bus tour instead of making an agenda.    The Cannabist has a great list of 47 events to choose from - but you have to hit the next page so often, it's hard to make a choice. We need an app for that!
Tell us what your plans are. Visiting your favorite pot shop, joining the festivities or just hanging at home with a few buds?
http://www.thecannabist.co/2014/03/26/20-ways-party-colorado-420/7883/7/

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/if-i-did-it-over-again-lessons-learned-from-cos-recreational-frontrunners/

Forward thinking pays when designing your dispensary business. Entrepreneurs share their wisdom on opening your pot shop. Partnering, planning, construction and interior design take time. Here are a few valuable tips from the seasoned pros.
Courtesy of mmjbusinessdaily.com