In the landscape of cannabis delivery, minimum order requirements are the gatekeepers of convenience—sometimes offering value, other times hiding the catch.
Understanding Order Minimums
Most cannabis delivery services impose a minimum spend—often between $30 and $100—before reaching your doorstep. While a $30 minimum can seem reasonable, that “free delivery” often comes with trade-offs: smaller selections, lower customer priority, or higher product prices.
Low vs. High Minimums: Trade-offs to Consider
- Low minimums (e.g. $30–50): Ideal for first-timers or occasional users. Planet 13, for example, offers a $50 pre‑tax minimum and free delivery until midnight.
- High minimums ($70+): Brands like Silver Sage and many licensed dispensaries require $70–100 order minimums. These often come with perks—premium strains, priority delivery slots, or loyalty credits—which may offset the higher threshold.
Spotting Hidden Costs
Minimum spend thresholds can mask additional charges:
- Service fees that increase with order size
- Premium pricing on menu items compared to in-store
- Delivery windows that prioritize higher-spend orders
- Taxes and tips, pushing the real price above advertised deal levels
The result? What seems like a discount or “free delivery” can end up costing more in both dollars and convenience.
Customer Feedback Speaks Loudly
Online forums and review sites offer mixed insights:
- Weedmaps warns many reviews are fake and notes minimums skew perceptions of value.
- Local Reddit threads show users confused when minimums weren’t clearly communicated or when added product/service markups eliminated any real savings. One user wrote:
“I put an order through but haven’t made payment yet… scared it’s a scam.”
How to Know When It’s a Legit Deal
- Compare per-unit prices online vs. in-store. A “free delivery” deal loses value if menu prices are inflated.
- Crunch the total cost: minimum, delivery fee, sales tax, excise tax, and tip. A $50 minimum plus 15–20% tip can land at $70–75 total.
- Look for extras: free accessories, priority time slots, or loyalty points can justify a higher minimum.
- Read reviews carefully: verify with trusted sources or local community forums rather than rely solely on promotional copy.
Bottom Line
A cannabis delivery minimum isn’t always a deal—it’s a promise. Sometimes you get the convenience and perks you’d expect. Other times, you end up paying for thin margins and hidden fees. Use promotions as a starting point, but read the fine print and do the math. Only by comparing total costs and service quality can you determine whether a deal truly delivers value.