There are countless ways to contact someone and just as many methods for running a scam. With new technology, people can mimic a loved one’s voice or face to leech money from unsuspecting victims. Those who scam will often prey on weaknesses, like concern for a family member. A few years ago, criminals began to take advantage of people who were new to the cannabis market. Yep, weed scams do exist, but there are ways to avoid being taken by one.
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The Better Business Bureau issued a consumer warning in 2023 regarding a scam targeting customers seeking dispensaries in medical and adult-use states. In reports, people spoke with “dispensary staff” on the phone after seeing a website advertising their store. The workers would insist on adding about $100 to the delivery cost as “insurance” promised to be paid off upon arrival.
However, after payment, many of them disappeared altogether with no weed products at the end. Some unlucky victims did receive a delivery that contained products that tasted like chemicals and created a burning sensation. That consumer threw the products away and highlighted the heightened danger of the bad actors fueling this scam.
Two years later, new consumers are coming online in different states and can learn from these efforts. But the scammers have evolved too. While the internet remains a breeding ground for e-commerce scams, consumers are also assaulted in broad daylight by illicit hemp and cannabis dispensaries masquerading as compliant.
How to avoid weed scams
Knowing the law is the number one way to protect yourself. Consumers aware of municipal and state laws will be more keen on the signs that an operator is not up to snuff. For example, not all cities allow delivery, even in states with adult-use regulations. A website offering to deliver to these areas is likely not a licensed shop. Know whether delivery is even an option before pouring over websites and menus.
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Most dispensaries are required to put warnings and other compliance information on a website according to their state’s regulations. Look for these warnings and match them against state regulations to avoid issues.
When in doubt, take it to the internet. Few bad actors can avoid the ire of online reviewers. From pot-specific sites like Weedmaps to the all-encompassing Google, there are a lot of places to tell about cannabis operations that steal your money. For the best experience, search for reviews before shopping at a dispensary. Even if they aren’t scamming, these will likely indicate what products the shop specializes in and the service levels that budtenders provide.
Welcoming a new state to the legal cannabis realm is always fun. Let’s not dampen it with rampant scams targeted at newbies. Self-educating is essential to staying vigilant while exploring the new weed frontier.
