As the Ohio adult-use cannabis market ramps up, Cleveland retailers have an opportunity to gain a competitive edge through smart local marketing—and one of the most powerful (and underleveraged) tools is the Google Business Profile (GBP). It's what people see when they look on Google Maps which is what gets you footprints. An having a well completed profile can help you rank higher, and make it more likely that people visit your store.
According to recent data, 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information.
78% of location-based mobile searches result in an offline purchase, often within 24 hours.
Businesses appearing in the Google Local Pack (top 3 positions) receive nearly 50% of all clicks.
76% of people who conduct a local search visit a business within a day.
Over 90% of cannabis consumers search online before deciding which dispensary to visit.
We recently analyzed publicly available Google Business Profile data for 42 Cleveland-area businesses that call themselves Cannabis Dispensaries as of April 15th, 2025 Here’s what we found.
Average Google rating across dispensaries: 4.4 stars
Rating range: From 3.3 to 4.9
Most retailers fall into the 4.2–4.7 range, which can make it difficult to stand out. A single bad review could shift perception, but can be turned around if you respond in ways that show you care about them and their experience. Proactive review generation and subsequent followup is essential for differentiation.
Highest number of reviews: 775+
Lowest: 21
Some Cleveland dispensaries are crushing it with community engagement, while others are leaving visibility on the table. Businesses with more reviews tend to rank higher in map results—especially when reviews mention key terms like “medical,” “staff,” or “wait time.” Ensure you have a review policy as the number of reviews, the recency of those reviews, and of course the rating are all essential to how you'll rate on Google Maps.
Most photos on a profile: 50+
Several profiles have 5 or fewer images
Photos increase engagement, influence purchase decisions, and help define your vibe. Profiles with professional images of products, staff, storefronts, and interior layouts stand out more in local search results. Bonus, Google likes to see engagement with your brand and profile, so providing more photos can increase dwell time which can further lift your rankings.
Google allows businesses to list services (e.g., in-store shopping, curbside pickup, delivery), but:
Fewer than half of the reviewed businesses had services listed
Only 2 profiles mentioned “curbside pickup,” despite being a key post-COVID driver of convenience
Including services helps with keyword relevance and shows up directly in map listings—an easy win for local SEO.
While most businesses use “Cannabis Store” as their primary category, few take advantage of secondary categories like:
“Cannabis Club”
“Herbal Medicine Store”
“Herb Shop”
Using the right combination of categories helps Google better match your listing to user intent—whether a customer is looking for a medical dispensary, a local brand, or just “dispensaries near me.”
Get more reviews consistently and respond to all feedback
Add high-quality photos—especially exterior and staff shots
Complete your profile with services, hours, and business categories
Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) info consistent across the web
Update frequently to signal activity to Google
Your Google Business Profile is often the first impression your dispensary makes—before they even visit your website. Don’t let a weak or outdated listing hurt your local visibility.
If you’d like a free audit of your profile or help optimizing it for the upcoming adult-use rollout, get in touch.