Weed dispensary ratings are customer review scores. They use a 5-star scale on Google, Yelp, Weedmaps, Leafly, and Trustpilot. The Better Business Bureau uses letter grades from A+ to F. A rating reflects service, wait time, menu accuracy, and price. It does not reflect lab test results, license status, or product safety.
Where the numbers come from
- Google Business Profile: 1 to 5 stars. Google removes reviews that are paid, traded, or posted by someone who never visited.
- Yelp: 1 to 5 stars. Yelp's recommendation software filters a portion of reviews and leaves them out of the score.
- Weedmaps and Leafly: 1 to 5 stars tied to a live menu. Reviews attach to a store, a product, or an order.
- Better Business Bureau: A+ to F. The grade weighs complaint count, response time, and time in business. It says nothing about cannabis quality.
Review count changes the meaning
A 5.0 with 8 reviews is a small sample. A 4.6 with 2,400 reviews is a large sample. One angry customer moves a shop with few reviews. Read the three-star reviews first. They tend to name a specific problem, such as a long line, a sold-out strain, or a wrong online price.
Cannabis Dispensary Score: What You Need to Know
What ratings leave out
Licensed states require lab testing. Labs screen for pesticides, microbial contamination, heavy metals, and residual solvents. Results go on a certificate of analysis, or COA. The COA carries the THC and CBD percentages printed on the label. A star rating shows none of this.
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State regulators also track license status and recalls. California's Department of Cannabis Control, Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division, and Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency publish recall notices. A shop with 4.8 stars can still carry a recalled batch.
How to Find Cannabis Dispensary Ratings
How to check a dispensary
- Search the state license list for the shop's license number.
- Ask for the COA for the product batch. A licensed shop can produce it.
- Check the state recall page for the brand and batch number.
- Compare price per gram. An eighth is 3.5 grams, so $35 per eighth equals $10 per gram.
- Call or check the menu the same day. Online stock changes.
- Read the most recent 20 reviews. Look for patterns, not single complaints.
Red flags in reviews
- A burst of 5-star reviews posted in one week.
- Reviews that name a free gift or a discount in exchange for stars.
- No owner replies to repeated complaints about mold, mislabeled weight, or card charges.
- Ratings that stay high while the shop has state disciplinary actions.
Bottom line
Use star ratings for service and price. Use the COA, the license list, and the recall list for safety. The two sets of data answer different questions.