Over the past several years, cannabis dispensaries have experimented with a variety of ways to improve the customer experience, from online ordering to express pickup lanes. Among these innovations, the dispensary drive-thru has become one of the most talked-about features. For some shoppers, it offers unmatched convenience, but for others, questions remain: do drive-thrus really speed things up, and where are they most common?
What drive-thrus are meant to deliver
Drive-thru service is designed to mirror the efficiency of fast food or pharmacy pickup windows. The core promise is time saved. By allowing customers who have already placed an order online or through an app to simply drive up, show identification, and collect their purchase, dispensaries can reduce congestion inside the store and cut down on wait times. For customers with mobility concerns, parents who prefer to keep children in the car, or anyone seeking more privacy, the format also provides a layer of comfort and ease.
Beyond customer convenience, dispensaries themselves benefit. A separate lane for drive-thru pickup can distribute traffic more evenly, especially during peak hours. Operators say that when properly staffed, a drive-thru can process customers quickly while freeing up in-store staff to help walk-in shoppers.
Do they truly move faster?
The results are mixed. In markets where staff are trained, orders are pre-paid, and regulations are clear, customers often report being in and out in just a few minutes. Some even claim that picking up through a drive-thru window takes less than half the time of a traditional in-store visit.
But speed is not guaranteed. Because cannabis purchases require strict ID checks and careful product handling, a drive-thru can sometimes feel slower than anticipated—particularly if customers are placing orders on the spot rather than simply collecting pre-orders. Poorly designed lanes, long approach lines, and limited staffing can also offset any intended efficiency. In short, the drive-thru works best when it is treated as a streamlined pickup point, not a replacement for the full retail experience.
Where they are most common
Drive-thrus are not universally available. Their presence depends heavily on state regulations and local zoning laws. States such as Arizona, Colorado, California, Michigan, and Nevada are among those where drive-thrus are relatively common, largely because they have mature adult-use markets and a culture of experimentation with retail models. Ohio has gone a step further by issuing specific guidance for dispensary drive-thru operations, setting clear rules for window design, security, and order handling.
In contrast, states with more restrictive cannabis laws or tightly controlled medical programs tend to have fewer or no drive-thru options. Local municipalities can also make the difference: even in permissive states, some cities prohibit them altogether, citing concerns about traffic or security.
The takeaway
For many customers, drive-thru cannabis service does deliver on the promise of faster, easier transactions—especially for those who place orders ahead of time. Still, the format is not a silver bullet. Its success depends on regulatory approval, thoughtful design, and disciplined staffing. Where all of these factors align, drive-thrus are becoming an increasingly important part of the modern dispensary playbook. Where they don’t, they remain a novelty rather than a true advantage.