Introduction
As cannabis marketing evolves in 2025, retailers face a critical question: Is geofencing still a worthwhile investment? With privacy changes, rising competition, and increasingly sophisticated tools like push notifications, the role of geofencing is changing. But it’s far from obsolete — especially when done right.
In this post, we’ll break down the real ROI of geofencing for dispensaries in 2025, when it works best, and how platforms like Sticky Cards are helping retailers use it smarter.
What Is Geofencing in Cannabis Marketing?
Geofencing uses GPS or RFID technology to create a virtual boundary around a location. When a user enters or exits that boundary with their mobile device, it triggers an action — usually a targeted ad, notification, or offer.
For cannabis retailers, this might mean:
Targeting potential customers near a competitor’s store
Sending a push notification to loyalty members walking nearby
Running a location-based promotion during a local event
Why Geofencing Still Works in 2025
1. Hyper-Local Targeting That Drives Foot Traffic
Despite tighter ad rules and platform restrictions, geofencing still allows dispensaries to reach people at the right place and time. You’re not just guessing who’s in your area — you’re actively engaging them when they’re close enough to visit.
2. Competitive Advantage Near Other Dispensaries
Geofencing is a smart way to target customers entering or exiting competitor locations, offering them an incentive to visit your store instead. Combined with loyalty-based push notifications, this becomes a powerful win-back tool.
3. Privacy Compliant When Done Right
Worried about privacy regulations in 2025? Geofencing can be 100% compliant when paired with opt-in mechanisms like wallet-based loyalty cards. Sticky Cards ensures all data collection respects consent and privacy preferences.
Where Geofencing Falls Short
Geofencing isn’t magic. Without the right follow-up or offer, most users will ignore a location-based ad. And if you’re relying on SMS or third-party ad platforms, your reach might be limited due to cannabis-specific restrictions.
That’s why retailers are pairing geofencing with first-party tools like:
Push notifications
Loyalty wallet passes
In-store reward triggers
Geofencing + Loyalty = Smarter Engagement
When someone enters your geofence, don’t just show them a generic ad. If they’re a loyalty member, send them a personalized push notification tied to their profile and past purchases. Sticky Cards allows you to:
Trigger real-time offers based on location
Deliver hyper-relevant rewards
Track redemptions and optimize ROI
This is geofencing 2.0 — smarter, not spammy.
Is It Worth It in 2025?
Yes — if you’re using it strategically.
Geofencing alone won’t move the needle. But combined with push, loyalty, and automation, it becomes a powerful real-time engagement channel.
For dispensaries focused on growth, geofencing is still worth the investment — especially when built on top of first-party, consent-based data.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, cannabis retailers don’t just need more traffic — they need smarter ways to capture attention and build loyalty. Geofencing still plays a role, but only when integrated into a modern strategy built on personalization, automation, and real-time engagement.
