April 20th. The biggest sales day in cannabis history, year after year. It’s not just a holiday; it’s the Super Bowl for dispensaries and the Black Friday of bud. That’s not a fluke. That’s consumer behavior at its loudest, clearest, and most predictable. The question isn’t whether people will buy cannabis on 420; the question is: will they buy from you?
This year, dispensaries are pushing harder than ever to capture that 420 demand. The average percent discount offered on 4/20 in 2024 has significantly increased compared to previous years.
To put it in perspective, in 2024, the average retail price for cannabis on 4/20 was 16% lower than the average for other days in April. This shows a notable jump from 2023, where the average discount resulted in prices being only 5.5% lower, and even further from 2022’s 7.5% discount. This intensified discounting underscores the fierce competition for consumer attention on this crucial sales day.
The Secret to a Record-Breaking 420? Planning. Early.
Every dispensary runs discounts. Every dispensary offers bundles. But not every dispensary wins 420. The winners? They plan ahead. They dominate digital marketing. They own the conversation before their competitors even realize it’s time to talk. And that’s where Spokes Digital comes in.
The Playbook for 420 Domination
1. Start Marketing Early (Like, Right Now)
The best dispensaries don’t wait until April to market 420 deals. They start in February, teasing exclusive offers, running pre-420 promotions, and warming up their audience. Early momentum = bigger sales spikes.
What we do:
- Hyper-targeted ad campaigns (yes, cannabis ads can work if you know the rules)
- SEO strategies that put your dispensary at the top of “420 deals near me” searches
- Email & SMS marketing that turns casual customers into 420 VIPs
2. In-Store Events = Foot Traffic Gold
420 falls on Easter Sunday in 2025. That means most shoppers will buy their cannabis in advance. Smart dispensaries will capitalize on this by throwing killer in-store events on April 18th & 19th.
Ideas that drive sales:
- Live music, celebrity guests, and giveaways
- Food trucks and local vendors (because nothing pairs with good weed like good munchies)
- Exclusive, in-store-only product drops
What we do:
- Promotional event marketing that gets people in your doors
- Geo-targeted ads and social media buzz campaigns
- Website banners & landing pages that convert clicks into in-store visits
3. Strategic Discounts That Don’t Kill Your Profits
76% of all 420 purchases in 2024 included a discount. But here’s the thing: discounting isn’t just about price cuts; it’s about perception. Over-discounting erodes your margins. The best retailers structure deals that boost basket size without giving away the store.
Winning strategies:
- Bundle high-margin products (e.g., edibles + pre-rolls)
- Loyalty-exclusive deals that make your best customers feel special
- Limited-time offers that drive urgency
What we do:
- Advanced discounting strategy based on historical data & market trends
- Loyalty program optimizations to increase repeat purchases
- High-converting ad creatives that make deals irresistible
4. Payment Options: The Future is Cashless
In 2024, debit transactions outpaced cash transactions by 22% on 420. Consumers are shifting, and dispensaries that make payments easy win bigger tickets.
What we do:
- Help dispensaries integrate compliant payment solutions (because nobody likes an ATM fee)
- Optimize checkout experiences for faster in-store and online transactions
- Streamline click-and-collect ordering systems for pre-420 convenience
5. Owning Online Search Before Your Competitors Do
Consumers don’t just walk into dispensaries blind. They Google “best 420 deals near me” before they leave the house. If you’re not ranking at the top, you’re losing business before it even begins.
What we do:
- Advanced SEO strategies to put your dispensary in front of ready-to-buy customers
- Local search optimization so you dominate Google Maps & dispensary directories
- Google Ads strategies (yes, legal ones) to capture high-intent shoppers
The Clock is Ticking: Are You Ready for 420?
420 isn’t just a sales day; it’s a moment that defines the year for cannabis brands. The dispensaries that plan early, market smart, and execute flawlessly don’t just get a sales boost; they get lifelong customers.
Spokes Digital has helped cannabis businesses crush their 420 goals year after year. We know what works. We know what doesn’t. And we’re ready to make 420 2025 your most profitable one yet.
Let’s talk. The green rush waits for no one.
