With loyalty programs becoming a mainstay of cannabis retail, the products customers choose to spend rewards on reveal much about shifting consumer tastes. Recent trends show that cannabis shoppers redeem rewards for products offering convenience, wellness benefits, and precise dosing—highlighting where dispensaries should focus their loyalty strategies.
Top Products Earning Loyalty Redemptions
Cannabis Beverages: The Rising Star
Low-dose THC drinks have emerged as a leading choice in reward programs. Unlike other categories, cannabis drinks have bucked industry-wide sales slowdowns. Their discreet, social-friendly appeal—resembling regular sparkling water or juice—makes them perfect for first-time buyers or those replacing alcohol with cannabis. Retailers frequently use limited-time loyalty offers to introduce these drinks, boosting trial and repeat purchases.
Edibles Featuring Minor Cannabinoids
Edibles remain a reward program powerhouse, especially those formulated with cannabinoids beyond THC—like CBN and CBG. Sleep- and relaxation-focused gummies, for instance, see strong redemption rates. Customers appreciate the functional wellness benefits, while dispensaries leverage these products to increase basket size and reward program stickiness through targeted offers like double-points promotions.
Micro-Dosed Edibles and Low-THC Options
Consumers continue to gravitate toward products allowing controlled, gentle experiences. Micro-dosed edibles (1–2.5 mg THC per piece) are perfect for newcomers or those seeking subtle effects. Rewards programs highlight these items with introductory incentives—encouraging cautious customers to experiment without overspending.
Vape Pens and Portable Concentrates
While traditional flower still sells well, vape cartridges are a standout in loyalty redemptions. The appeal of discretion, portability, and quick onset has kept vape pens near the top of reward program transactions, especially among younger demographics. Dispensaries often use exclusive loyalty discounts or free battery offers to entice repeat vape purchases.
Classic Flower: A Steady Favorite
Despite competition from newer products, flower remains a reliable category in loyalty redemptions. However, it’s typically not the driver of loyalty program differentiation—retailers instead lean on it to keep loyalists engaged with tried-and-true strains while using promotions on edibles and vapes to upsell.
Why These Products Thrive in Rewards Programs
Wellness Orientation
Products like low-dose edibles, sleep aids, and infused drinks speak directly to the growing number of consumers using cannabis for wellness rather than purely recreational purposes. Loyalty rewards targeting these segments can foster brand trust and long-term relationships.
Ease of Dosing
Precise dosing is key for many consumers who want predictable, moderate effects. By emphasizing micro-dosed edibles or standardized drinks in rewards catalogs, retailers provide peace of mind—important for first-time buyers or health-conscious shoppers.
Margin-Friendly Inventory
Beverages and functional edibles often carry higher margins than raw flower, making them smart targets for loyalty redemptions. Reward offers on these products help retailers manage inventory while preserving profitability.
Cross-Category Promotions
Bundling popular categories—like pairing a beverage with a vape cartridge in a reward offer—encourages customers to try something new while building brand loyalty across multiple product types.
Looking Forward: Personalization Is Key
The evolution of cannabis rewards will hinge on personalization. Dispensaries using loyalty platforms integrated with POS systems can mine purchase data to tailor offers—like sending sleep-focused edible discounts to customers who frequently buy CBN gummies. Expect loyalty rewards in 2025 to focus even more on precision marketing, encouraging customers to explore high-margin, wellness-oriented products.
Conclusion
Cannabis loyalty programs are evolving beyond simple discounts, becoming engines for product discovery and customer retention. By focusing on products that offer convenience, wellness, and precision—like cannabis drinks, micro-dosed edibles, and premium vapes—dispensaries can drive engagement and loyalty while responding to the market’s shift toward health-conscious, intentional consumption. In the competitive retail landscape, rewarding customers with what they truly want is the key to long-term success.