Massachusetts Dispensary Replaces Lines With App

The eighth Massachusetts dispensary to launch sales will be the first in the state to use an app instead of traditional in-person lines, according to The Boston Globe.

The seven other dispensaries in Massachusetts have all opened to huge lines but Northeast Alternatives in Fall River hopes to circumvent this by using a smartphone app called “QLess.”

QLess is a line-creating and schedule management app. Potential customers can text as soon as an hour before opening to get their place in line. The app will then provide them with an approximate time to arrive at the dispensary and will provide additional updates throughout the day as things develop.

Northeast Alternatives will not use a satellite parking lot — which other dispensaries have relied on, so far — because of the app’s efficiency. In fact, no walk-ins at all will be allowed — all customers of the dispensary are expected to schedule via the app.

This is not the first case of entrepreneurs looking to technological innovation to advance the cannabis industry: there is a multitude of apps including delivery and medical cannabis recommendation services already serving the industry.

Massachusetts adult-use cannabis sales launched in November 2018 after voters passed a legalization initiative in 2016.