How Much Does It Cost to Build a Cannabis Delivery App?

Smoking pot or consuming marijuana is no longer a taboo in most areas, even though it has been legal as well in several countries. People worldwide have been ingesting it for centuries as Weed, Cannabis, or Marijuana for spiritual, entertaining, or medicinal means. Currently, the healthcare industry is looking at Cannabis to get medical benefits only, that’s the reason businesses are also finding a million-dollar opportunity in the marijuana delivery business.

The Cannabis market is going to be skyrocketing as it is predicted to value at $42.7 billion in the year 2024. Even at present, the Cannabis market is having exponential growth as it has been legal. There is a strong demand to deliver high-quality marijuana products out there , making this business a promising one for the future.    

Being a business owner, if you are juggling between several business ideas, you must look to obtain an on-demand cannabis delivery app and for this, you have to contact a healthcare app development company to find out how to build a Cannabis delivery app and how much does it cost to develop marijuana app. To make your journey easier and smooth, below we have penned down a complete guide to developing a cannabis delivery app to cover all the essential aspects like features, cost, market statistics, uses, tech stack required, how to reduce cost, etc. Let’s dive into the details-

What is Cannabis Delivery App?

Before going to create a Cannabis delivery app, you must know in detail what it is. A Cannabis delivery app enables users to order Cannabis or marijuana products and get them delivered to their homes. The app is crafted specifically to deliver Cannabis products legally in different countries or regions where the consumption is approved.

You can easily develop a marijuana delivery app as it has similar work to a food delivery app like Uber Eats. Users can search via a wide range of Cannabis products including edibles, flowers, accessories, concentrates, etc., and can place an order for the same. The app also provides information about the products such as strain details, customer reviews, and THC/CBD content.

After the order is placed, the user will be notified of the estimated delivery time and other updates so that users can track the whole process of the order. This app also verifies the customer’s age and ensures compliance with local regulations. This process can also comprise submitting documents for identification and verification checks.       

Present and Future Market Scope for Cannabis Delivery Application

The cannabis sector is continuously growing and has experienced enormous growth in recent years. According to the current industry reports, the size of the legal cannabis market globally has reached the value of $20.6 billion in 2020 which is forecasted to be at $42.7 billion in the year 2024 and approx. $33 billion by 2025 globally.       

Before jumping into the Cannabis delivery app development, it is necessary to get more details about the Cannabis app market. Look at the following points-

• The Cannabis market revenue is predicted to attain US$51.28 billion in the year 2023.
• The overall revenue of the Cannabis market is expected to increase with a 15.77% CAGR with a market value of US$92.10 billion by the year 2027.
• Related to overall population figures, there will be US$77.03 revenue per person in 2023.
• While comparing globally, most of the revenue will be generated in the USA which will be US$33,880 million in 2023.  
• There were 3.43 million adult cannabis users in the USA in 2020. This number is forecasted to be twice by 2025.

• The worldwide legal Cannabis market size amounted to $22.1 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow at a 25.5% CAGR from 2023 to 2030.   

How to Start A Cannabis Delivery Service With Legal Aspects?

Medical Cannabis delivery app development is not an easy process as it needs a lot of legal approvals. We know the Cannabis app market is highly regulated in many jurisdictions, hence getting help from a top-notch mobile app development company in the USA will benefit you in numerous ways as they very well know how to deal with legal compliances.  

For your knowledge, here we have covered some of the general steps to consider for legal compliance with Cannabis mobile app development services-

• Know Government Regulations
• Get a License
• Packaging, Delivery & Advertising Restrictions

1. Know Government Regulations

Talking about the USA, recreational Cannabis is legal in various states such as California, Massachusetts, Alaska, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, Maine, Washington, etc. The same goes with medical Cannabis, it has been legalized in 33 US states for medicinal purposes along with the District of Columbia in 2018. Not only the USA, but some Western European countries like Germany, Netherlands, Greece, Czechia, etc. have also decriminalized medical Cannabis for medical purposes. Canada legalized marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes in 2018.     

2. Get a License

To create a mobile app from scratch to sell marijuana, you will need to get permission or a license from the government to belong to a specific region. There can be different licenses to sell, distribute, or grow Cannabis that you must have to apply for.

If you take the instance of California, it legalized Cannabis in 1996 and you can find different types of licenses for distributors, retailers, testing labs, microbusinesses, and Cannabis event organizers on its website called ‘The Bureau of Cannabis Control’. To get any type of license for Cannabis delivery app development, you need to submit some documents or can select to apply for the online licensing system. The license application process involves strict criteria such as financial disclosures, background checks, compliance with zoning regulations, and security measures. 

If you are a citizen of Canada, you will require licensing from the Canadian Health Organization. A Cannabis license also has varied classes and sub-classes to decide in which category your business drops. Here are some major license classes to know-

• Micro-cultivation
• Standard Cannabis cultivation
• Sales for medical purposes
• Nursery
• Micro-processing
• Standard processing
• Analytical Testing
• Research

3. Packaging, Delivery & Advertising Restrictions

Delivery services must comply with the packaging requirements to make sure that the Cannabis products are labeled properly with details like ingredients, potency, product origin, and warnings.

States where Cannabis delivery is legal, often have limitations in place due to the security and safety of the delivery process. These policies may involve limitations on maximum order amount, delivery hours, and age verification processes. There are possibilities to check the background of the delivery personnel.

Businesses must ensure that their promotional activities stick to the state’s guidelines comprising constraints on marketing to minors.     

How Much Does It Cost to Develop Cannabis Delivery App?

While thinking about how to develop a Cannabis delivery app, it is obvious to consider the cost of Cannabis delivery app development. Before talking about it, let us make it clear to you that you can’t get to know the exact cost of mobile app development because various factors can have a huge impact on the overall estimated cost. You must have a detailed discussion on this with the experts or the Cannabis ordering app development company you have hired.

On an average, the cost of building an online Cannabis delivery app will range between $25,000 to $50,000. Now, top mobile app development companies have some different parameters on which the estimated cost depends largely. These parameters involve the selection of platforms, UX/UI design, features & functionalities, app maintenance, and many more.

Cost Affecting Factors for Cannabis App Development

Before proceeding with the on-demand marijuana delivery app development, you should know about the factors that can affect the cost to develop a Cannabis delivery app greatly. Therefore, it is worth understanding to know about them in detail. Look at the below factors to know how you can have an adequate Cannabis delivery app development cost- 

• Choice of Platform
• Features and Functionalities
• UI/UX Design
• Choice of App Development Company
• App Maintenance

1. Choice of Platform

Choosing an appropriate platform is always a critical decision to make for businesses that are going to create a marijuana delivery app. There are a lot of options available for platforms such as Android, iOS, or cross-platform but you must go for the one where your target audiences belong to. If you have a limited budget, then you can select either Android or iOS and if you have enough budget, then you can go for cross-platform. It is preferable to hire mobile app developers according to the platform you are choosing.   

2. Features and Functionalities

While obtaining Cannabis delivery app for android or iOS, you need to consider what are the essential features and functionalities to add to the app. The more the features are, the higher the cost will be. That’s why it will be a wise decision to have only basic and significant features to provide exceptional user experience at a reasonable cost. You can go for advanced features as well if you can bear the extended marijuana delivery app development cost.

3. UI/UX Design

Any app or software development company you hire, ensure it has extensive experience to create mobile apps with interactive and visually appealing UI designs. Your created app must include interesting UI/UX aspects such as icons, buttons, graphics, etc. to leave a lasting impression on the audiences and grab their attention. It will make the users come back again and again and increase user engagement.

4. Choice of App Development Company

The on-demand app development company you are choosing to create a Cannabis delivery app plays a vital role in deciding the cost of developing a medical Cannabis delivery app. Selecting a rich experienced app development agency with professional developers and designers will cost you much more compared to a not-so-popular app development firm.

While obtaining mobile application development services, you also need to consider the services’ quality, development team, portfolio, experience, etc. of your chosen firm.  

5. App Maintenance

The process of how to develop a Cannabis delivery app is not the only factor that affects the cost. App maintenance post-development also influences the overall cost of developing a Cannabis delivery app. Once you have launched the app, it is necessary to maintain and update time-to-time. It requires a lot of time and money which impacts the direct cost to develop a mobile app.

Top Players of the Cannabis Delivery App Sector

Now, let’s navigate toward knowing about the top market players for Cannabis delivery. This business idea is a profitable one, hence, more and more entrepreneurs are trying their hands in this sector. But before entering this realm, they need to do a lot of research about the existing competitors. Keep scrolling to discover about them-   

• Eaze
• Weedmaps
• Leafly
• Caliva
• PotBot
• MassRoots

1. Eaze

Eaze was launched in 2014 by Eaze Solutions Inc. It is a free-to-use application to deliver marijuana, it has the same working as an app like Uber. You need to do just a few taps on your mobile phone to get connected with licensed medical stores in your area to get marijuana. This app offers a convenient and smooth customer experience and users can browse a wide range of high-quality products such as edibles, flowers, etc. With its user-friendly interface and adherence to legal requirements, it has become a reliable platform to get Cannabis products easily.

The cost to build a Cannabis delivery app like Eaze will be from $20,000 to $40,000.

2. Weedmaps

This platform enables Cannabis enthusiasts to explore and browse marijuana-related services and products. It was announced in 2008 that enables users to search for nearby delivery services, dispensaries, and doctors who have specialization in Cannabis products. This app has brought different companies and brands under one roof along with providing details on everything including flavors, effects, and THC/CBD content. Before purchasing, users can read reviews about the products to make the final decision.

The cost of developing an app like Weedmaps will be somewhere around $15,000 to $35,000.

3. Leafly

Leafly was founded in 2010 to facilitate people with a complete platform to get different Cannabis products, strains, and dispensaries. On this app, users can search, compete, and review products based on their choices and desired results. With its map functionality, users will be able to search nearby stores and have a personalized experience. It also provides content related to Cannabis to keep users informed and updated on the latest innovations in the industry.

The cost to create an app like Leafly will range from $15,000 to $30,000.

4. Caliva

This app is intended to provide a user-friendly and convenient experience to customers of Caliva, a popular and well-known Cannabis brand. Users can easily browse and buy different products that come with detailed descriptions, pricing, and reviews. The app contains features like personalized recommendations, loyalty rewards, and order tracking to better the buying experience. It also has an intuitive and seamless interface that makes shopping easier and products accessible to consumers.

The cost to make an app like Caliva will range from $15,000 to $25,000.

5. PotBot

PotBot originated in 2016, this medical marijuana delivery app is a convenient platform for users to explore the advantages of Cannabis for health purposes. With this app, users can enter their particular symptoms and medical history to get personalized recommendations on Cannabis strains, consumption methods, and dosage. This app aims to update users regarding scientific research with medical Cannabis. PotBot is the protector of patients, healthcare professionals, and caregivers in their treatment plans.       

The PotBot like app development cost will be between $15,000 and $30,000.

6. MassRoots

This Cannabis-centric application was introduced on July 14^th, 2013, it connects businesses and marijuana enthusiasts in the expanding Cannabis sector. MassRoots permits users to interact, share experiences, and stay up to date on the current Cannabis trends and news. It facilitates users with features such as creating profiles, posting reviews, sharing photos, and searching nearby dispensaries, and events. This app only encourages responsible Cannabis consumption and educational discussion on the relevant topic.  

If you are going for Cannabis delivery app like MassRoots, it will range from $15,000 to $30,000.

Cannabis Delivery App Business Models

Let’s talk about cannabis delivery app business models. A business model has the ability to make or break the venture, though it can vary depending on the specific market, target audiences, and legal regulations. While starting a Cannabis delivery business, you can choose among these three-business models, have a look below-

• Dedicated Model
• Delivery Specific Model
• Aggregator Model

1. Dedicated Model

This dedicated model is suitable for those who have enough stock of marijuana and can own their single store in the market to deliver it under their guidance. It is an ideal model for start-ups, small businesses, and single-store owners. This way, you can also create a Cannabis app for your business or can hire a third-party service to trade the delivery.

2. Delivery Specific Model

By applying this model, you will only work as a delivery partner to any other Cannabis providers or specialists. You don’t need to have any know-how or resources; you will just deliver Cannabis products to people. In favour of doing it, you will get a fixed commission on each completed order.  

3. Aggregator Model

Here you can provide a platform for stores and users to interact. You will be the central source for the clients and dispensaries. In this model, users can place their requests to the dispensaries, and it will be reflected in their dashboard. Here you can make money from the store holders instead of consumers by delivering their products.  

Key Features of Cannabis Delivery App

Features have a significant role to play in the success of a mobile application. Hence, it is necessary to analyze what are the required features to be added to a Cannabis delivery app. Your created cannabis delivery app will interact with different target audiences; thus, you need to integrate features according to the panels such as customers, store owners, delivery persons, and administrators. Have a glance below-

Customer Panel

The following are fundamental features to add to the customer panel of a Cannabis delivery app-

• Registration & Login– Users can create an account on the app by providing basic information such as name, address, contact number, and age. After signing up, they can easily log in by entering their name and password.

• Product Search & Filters- App users can find any Cannabis product out of many according to their preferences by entering the name in the search bar. They can also apply multiple filters to find a specific one.

• Upload Prescription– Since marijuana is not legal in several countries, users must upload a legal prescription to avail themselves of the services.

• Digital Payment– Users are allowed to make payments by choosing one of the multiple payment gateways such as PayPal, Credit/debit cards, and more.

• Schedule Delivery– Users can schedule the time of the delivery as per their convenience and availability and can get the product easily.

• Order Tracking– After ordering Cannabis products, users are able to track the route and status of the order including expected delivery time and date.

• Push Notifications– This feature can be valuable to notify users about their order, the status of an order, new products, promotions, or rewards. It is the easiest way to alert them about anything.

• Ratings & Reviews– Users can submit ratings and reviews about any delivery boy or service provider if they had a bad experience so that they can improve the services.

Store Panel

Have a look at the below list of features to integrate into the store owner panel of a Cannabis delivery mobile app-

• Creating Profile– Before using the app, Service providers or store owners need to create an app profile by submitting information involving legal permission, company description, contact information, shop images, name, and email address.

• Product Listing– It is compulsory for store owners to provide a complete product description and product image and put it in the right category to show the different times. This feature can also include the availability status of any product.

• Order Control– With this feature, sellers have full control over the products’ delivery, and a history of completed and non-completed orders to keep track of everything. 

• Earning– The sellers can track their payments to keep an eye on their earnings and monitor the payments received by different parties.

Delivery Boy Panel

Here are some features that can be accessed by a delivery boy in the Cannabis delivery application-

• Profile Creation– The delivery person needs to manage their profile by providing information like name, address, identity proof, contact information, and others.    

• Tasks & Notifications- This feature makes the delivery boy able to see their assigned tasks, buyer information, and set the order status. Notifications will help them to see the request for order acceptance or get notified about any order.

• GPS Tracking– A delivery person can track the exact location of the delivery address with the help of GPS tracking, and it also suggests them the best route to reach along with estimated time and distance.

• Status of Delivery– After accepting the delivery request and after delivering the product, the driver can update the status on the app so that everyone will get updated with the process including the customer and store owner.

• Call Customers– This feature helps delivery people to call or chat with customers in case of any query or confusion.  

Admin Panel

The admin panel manages overall activities within the app and below are the features that can help the admin in this process-

• Dashboard– The dashboard is where the admin can see everything in real-time. The centralized dashboard provides access to admin to all vital information whether it is about app analytics or statistics.  

• Customer Management- The admin can manage all the things related to app customers including their subscriptions, details, order history, etc. along with verifying the users.

• Order Management– With this feature, the admin can manage and track all the fulfilled, non-completed, or pending order requests. It will also help the admin to get updates on drivers’ orders and all the payment statuses.

• Listing Management– As an admin, you will be responsible for product details, and images, adding or removing them, and managing all the product categories.

• Feedback & Reports– Here admin can review customers’ feedback and report to make the user experience better in the future and improve the Cannabis delivery app.  

How to Create A Cannabis Delivery App?

For the Cannabis delivery app development process, it is necessary to hire app developers who have the expertise and rich experience in a similar arena. Here you have two options- either go for in-house development or outsource experienced developers from a leading app development company. Choose one that comes into your budget and suits your requirements.

From app conceptualization & identity market to app development to launching & maintenance, the development process includes everything. To get more details, look at the following steps-

• Analyze Project Requirements
• Wireframing
• App Development
• UI/UX Design
• App Testing
• App Deployment

1. Analyze Project Requirements

The first and foremost step to building a Cannabis delivery app is analyzing the project requirements. You must know the specific project requirements such as needed features, goals & vision, estimated budget, and others. You also need to focus on choosing the right mobile app development partner. Also, conduct market research to understand the target audiences, legal requirements, and competition that existed in the market.

2. Wireframing

Wireframing plays a crucial role when it comes to creating a marijuana delivery app. In this step, your chosen expert mobile app designers will craft wireframes and prototypes to specify the app flow. This stage provides a clearer picture of how an app is going to work towards its goals. These wireframes are also helpful to visualize the app’s UI and UX.  

3. UI/UX Design

The expert and skilled designers will create color schemes, app graphics, iconography, buttons, and other essential elements that justify the brand’s theme. The created design should be attractive and interactive enough to grasp the attention of target audiences. You must create UI designs for the app’s every screen to provide them with a visually appealing and responsive user interface.

4. App Development

This step includes lines of code to implement all the determined features and functionalities into the Cannabis delivery app. Your chosen expert mobile app developers will assist you in this phase. Various factors such as the app’s purpose, tech stack for app, features, etc. will be considered during this step. In this, the mobile app development team will work on both front-end and back-end development. The front-end development includes UI/UX design and back-end development goes for setting up the servers, building an API, integrating third-party services, and many more.

5. App Testing

To ensure a smooth development process, it is necessary to test the app regularly to identify and resolve occurred issues or bugs. In mobile app testing, multiple ways such as performance testing, utility testing, security testing, etc. will help you to make an app flawless. You will need expert mobile app testers to lead this process and ensure that the app is performing well at all levels.

6. Deployment

When it comes to deployment, businesses prefer to deploy MVP (minimum viable product) first. MVP for app development works wonders as by deploying it first, ventures can know about the reviews of target audiences. Then, they can launch the final app by implementing changes according to the feedback. There are available app stores like Google Play Store and Apple App Store for app launching, you can choose any of them or both depending on your budget.

Conclusion

From the above guide, we hope you have got every detail you want for Cannabis delivery app development. As we have mentioned, marijuana delivery is only legal in some countries, hence, you need to be extra aware and must have a license and necessary permissions before stepping into this realm. Though it is a lucrative business idea, you don’t need to think twice if you have a feature-rich application to make it work.

With the right mobile app development company by your side, it won’t be a tedious task to develop a marijuana delivery app with advanced features and functionalities. SemiDot Infotech can assist you throughout this journey as we have both experience and expertise. You can also hire iOS app developers or Android app developers from us who have worked previously with similar projects. If you need more information about the cannabis delivery app development, reach out to us anytime.

FAQs

Check out the below questions and answers to solve your queries about Cannabis delivery mobile app development-