Marijuana dispensaries are popping up all over the country due to its legalization in many states. While these dispensaries provide an array of options for medical and recreational marijuana use, they also are notorious for scam artists who take advantage of unsuspecting customers. These scams can range from simple bait-and-switch tactics to more elaborate schemes, but they usually involve using the dispensaries to transfer money or obtaining personal information from unsuspecting customers. One of the most common scams associated with marijuana dispensaries is the ‘bait and switch’. This scam involves offering customers a bargain rate for a particular product, but when they show up, they are told that the product is out of stock and they are offered something more expensive. This tactic is particularly common in states where marijuana is not yet legal, as the prices are much higher than in states where it is legal. Another scam that has become increasingly common is the ‘pay-to-play’ scam.
A less common but much more serious scam involves the illicit transfer of money using the dispensaries. In this scam, customers are asked to provide money upfront in order to receive a large quantity of marijuana. The money is then transferred to the scammer, and the customer never receives their product and is out of the money that they had paid. Finally, many marijuana dispensary scams involve gaining access to a victim’s personal information. This could involve asking customers to provide Social Security numbers, bank account information, or other sensitive data. Scammers can then use this information for their own financial gain, and victims can be left with hefty bills or identity theft. Marijuana dispensary scams are on the rise and customers should remain vigilant. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and it’s important to be sure that the business is legitimate.