Top 5 Cannabis Ecommerce Platforms Compared

Looking to boost your cannabis business online? Here’s a rundown of the top 5 ecommerce platforms:

Dutchie: All-in-one solution with built-in compliance tools
iHeartJane: AI-driven recommendations and POS integration
Weedmaps: Widely-used marketplace with advertising options
Olla: Highly customizable with loyalty program integration
WooCommerce: Flexible open-source option for CBD sellers

Quick Comparison:

Platform	Best For	Key Feature	Starting Price
Dutchie	Large enterprises	Integrated POS	$250/location
iHeartJane	Multi-location retailers	70+ integrations	$300/location
Weedmaps	Marketing reach	5M monthly visitors	Varies
Olla	Customization	Tailored shopping experiences	Not disclosed
WooCommerce	CBD-focused stores	Open-source flexibility	Free (+ hosting)

Choose based on your size, tech skills, and growth plans. Set up demos to test-drive your top picks.

1. Dutchie

Dutchie offers a complete solution for dispensaries, combining ecommerce, POS, and payment processing.

Key features:

Built-in compliance tools
Multi-channel payments platform
Customizable online menus
Integrated analytics

Dutchie’s compliance features help dispensaries stay legal by setting purchase limits, checking IDs, and maintaining records.

"Dispensaries are required to handle tremendous compliance burdens with regulations that are constantly changing and directly impact daily operations", says Bryan Barash, VP of Legal at Dutchie.

Pricing starts at $250 per location. Dutchie Plus provides a headless API solution for custom menu creation with SEO benefits.

Dutchie’s impact:

Metric	Value
Retail and brand partners	Over 6,500
Annual cannabis sales processed	$19 billion
Increase in online orders after switching	Over 70%
Increase in online sales after switching	Over 55%

The platform simplifies operations with automated inventory management and analytics tools. Dutchie Pay, their upcoming payment processing platform, will further streamline transactions.

With $603 million in funding, Dutchie has a strong market position. Its focus on compliance and all-in-one solution make it a top choice for many cannabis businesses.

2. iHeartJane

iHeartJane offers a robust e-commerce solution for cannabis dispensaries, focusing on compliance and user-friendly features.

Key features:

Online menu management
Compliance tools
AI-powered product suggestions
Integration with over 70 platforms

Pricing starts at $300 per location, with additional revenue opportunities through their Digital Merchandising program.

Feature	Details
Pricing	$300/location
Dispensaries served	2,300+
Markets covered	39 U.S. states and Canada
Product catalog	Over 1.5 million items

iHeartJane offers DOH Compliant products, tested for prohibited substances. Their "product-first shopping" feature lets users search for specific items and see which locations have them in stock.

For dispensary owners, iHeartJane simplifies operations with:

Automated inventory syncing
Detailed analytics on purchasing behavior
Customizable online menus

"Our top 50 (highest volume) dispensaries in the JDM program are seeing checks from $1500 – 5000 per month, per store", says Alex Jundanian, Manager of Brand Media at iHeartJane.

iHeartJane helps operators set up cost-effective cannabis compliance programs, offering guidance on creating SOPs and controlling regulatory risks across different states.

3. Weedmaps

Weedmaps connects consumers, patients, retailers, and brands in the cannabis industry.

For consumers:

Searchable database of local dispensaries and delivery services
Product information and strain details
User reviews and ratings
Educational resources

For businesses:

Product and service listings
Advertising and marketing support
Online ordering capabilities

Weedmaps’ platform sections:

Dispensaries
Deliveries
Products
Brands
Deals
Strains
Learn
News

Their business model charges cannabis companies for listings and advertising, with different service tiers available.

Feature	Details
User access	Free
Business listing	Paid, multiple tiers
Markets	US, Canada, and other legal regions
Mobile app	iOS and Android

Weedmaps has faced criticism for promoting illegal cannabis sales in the past but has taken steps to address these issues.

According to their 2021 Insights Report:

Cannabis delivery among Gen Z increased by 125% year over year
54% of cannabis consumers have a favorite brand
57% of consumers believe everyone benefits from a more inclusive cannabis marketplace

While Weedmaps can provide quick ROI, it should be part of a broader marketing strategy. Costs can reach $100,000+ monthly for premium listings and services.

Potential drawbacks:

High costs for premium services
Dependence on a third-party platform
Increased competition due to popularity

Despite challenges, Weedmaps remains a major player in cannabis ecommerce.

4. Olla

Olla offers a highly customizable cannabis e-commerce platform, giving retailers control over their customer journey.

Key features:

Online pre-order
Curbside pickup
Home delivery
Interactive in-store ordering
SEO-optimized automation
Fully customizable stores and product content
Passwordless authentication

Olla’s integration with springbig enhances customer loyalty programs, allowing:

New customer enrollment
Point redemption at checkout
Customized incentives

"We’re really excited to bring our springbig integration to market! We invested a great deal of time into ensuring our implementation supported our high-converting checkout experience while respecting user privacy." – Nico Nezhat, Olla CEO

Feature	Benefit
Customizable stores	Unique brand identity
SEO optimization	Improved online visibility
Loyalty program integration	Increased customer retention
Passwordless authentication	Enhanced user experience

Olla’s pricing isn’t publicly disclosed, but it’s geared towards cannabis retailers of various sizes seeking a comprehensive e-commerce solution.

Retailers using Olla can:

Create targeted marketing campaigns
Implement customer segmentation
Offer curated promotions

Olla’s focus on customization and user experience makes it a strong contender for businesses looking to establish a unique online presence.

5. WooCommerce

WooCommerce offers flexibility for cannabis businesses setting up online stores, especially for CBD products.

Key features:

No built-in restrictions on CBD sales
Choice of CBD-friendly hosting providers
Wide range of themes and plugins

Considerations:

Aspect	Details
Payment Processing	Can’t use WooCommerce Payments for CBD
Compliance	Store owners responsible for following laws
Setup	Requires WordPress site and separate hosting
Technical Skills	May need developer help for customization

Advantages for CBD sellers:

Hosting flexibility
Payment options (e.g., Square, Easy Pay Direct)
Extensive customization through plugins

Setup steps:

Choose CBD-friendly hosting
Install WordPress and WooCommerce
Select compatible payment gateway
Ensure compliance with local regulations

"Store owners are strongly advised to seek legal advice regarding the legal framework of selling their products in both the country they are selling from and to." – WooCommerce Documentation

Challenges:

Complex setup compared to all-in-one solutions
Potential higher costs with premium plugins
Need for technical knowledge

WooCommerce provides a powerful platform for cannabis businesses willing to invest in setup and customization.

Wrap-up

Choosing the right cannabis ecommerce platform is crucial. Here’s a quick guide:

Business Type	Recommended Platform	Key Benefit
Large enterprises	Dutchie	Extensive customization and control
Multi-location retailers	iHeartJane	Robust integration capabilities
Single dispensaries	Olla	Dedicated ecommerce solution
CBD-focused stores	WooCommerce	Flexibility and payment options

Consider market reach, SEO impact, customization needs, integration capabilities, and compliance features when deciding.

Set up demos with your top choices to get hands-on experience. Your decision will impact your operational efficiency and overall success.