How Augmented Reality Changes Cannabis Buying

With limits on social media advertising, growing a business in the highly regulated cannabis dispensary market is challenging. Here’s how that could impact the consumer.

Technology is a part of most people’s daily lives, but cannabis brands face regulatory hurdles in connecting with customers, as well as limitations from social media platforms. Regulations in Canada remove the possibility of customers smelling flower before purchasing - an important part of the buying process.

But cannabis advocates are nothing but adaptive, so some businesses are turning to augmented reality to improve the customer experience. Here’s how that will impact your buying experience.

AR Packaging Enhances Cannabis Buying

For around 2 years now, cannabis brands in Canada have been getting around strict regulations by utilizing innovative QR-code scanning. The QR codes give the customer a close-up of the inside of cannabis containers right on their smart device. The QR code also provides the customer with the profile of the farm in which it was grown, plus lab testing results. Some really innovative brands have even implemented a scratch and sniff feature so consumers can take in the terpene profile of the buds they buy beforehand.

It’s crucial that cannabis brands are transparent, so customers know what they’re getting. This AR packaging strategy has increased both company transparency and the consumer buying experience for Canadians. Check out our article on how to find the right dispensary for you.

AR for Cannabis Education

In addition to transparency, another one of the most important parts of the growing and evolving cannabis industry is consumer education. While AR technology is still improving, some companies believe it will become an integral part of the cannabis industry.

One of these companies is NexTech AR Solutions, based in California, and their partners Cannvas Medical. The companies produce kiosks around participating dispensaries in high-traffic areas. The kiosks will "improve accessibility to free, and physician-backed education focused on the potential benefits of medical and adult-use cannabis, according to their website.

The Future of AR and Cannabis

Evolving AR tech offers consumers some interesting and unique benefits for the future. As regulations continue to change, brands must adapt - and more companies could get on board with AR tech like the ones discussed. AR regulations have changing laws as well, as virtual worlds exist in a grey area. The future is seemingly bright for cannabis technology.

HashDash - Connecting Future Cannabis Consumers

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Thanks for reading! Happy consuming!