In the ever-competitive cannabis market, retaining customers and increasing repeat visits is more critical than ever. While spend-based rewards are common, there's another strategy that’s proving even more effective for many dispensaries: the cannabis visit based loyalty program.

Unlike traditional loyalty models that reward customers for how much they spend, visit-based programs prioritize how often they shop. This approach is especially valuable in markets with strict discounting rules or heavy price fluctuations.

In this blog, we’ll cover what visit-based rewards are, why they work, and how to launch a successful visit-based loyalty strategy for your dispensary.

What Is a Cannabis Visit Based Loyalty Program?

A cannabis visit based loyalty program rewards customers based on how frequently they visit your store or shop online, rather than how much they spend.

Example:

• Visit 1: Earn 1 stamp

• Visit 5: Get a free pre-roll or 20% off any edible

• Visit 10: Receive a limited-edition gift or bonus points

It’s like a digital punch card - updated automatically through wallet passes or POS check-ins.

Why Visit-Based Rewards Work

• Lower Friction for Customers
  Customers don’t need to spend a minimum - just show up and earn.

• Boosts Visit Frequency
  The more customers visit, the more they earn, creating habitual behavior.

• Regulation-Friendly
  Perfect for states where discounting or spend-based promos are limited.

• Levels the Playing Field
  You can reward loyalty, not just high rollers - ideal for medical or budget-conscious shoppers.

Key Strategies for Visit-Based Loyalty Programs

1. Make It Frictionless

Use digital wallet passes so customers:

• Earn visits automatically by scanning a QR code

• Can check their visit count in real time

• Don’t have to download an app or opt into SMS

Platforms like Sticky Cards make this seamless with scan-to-join and automatic stamp tracking.

2. Set Clear Milestones

Structure your program with tiers or checkpoints:

• Visit 1: Welcome reward

• Visit 3: $5 credit

• Visit 5: Exclusive offer

• Visit 10: VIP status or free product

Make the rewards feel progressive - like they’re climbing a ladder toward something exciting.

3. Use Push Notifications to Encourage Repeat Visits

Wallet-based push notifications (not SMS) can:

• Remind customers how close they are to a reward

• Nudge them back in during slow periods

• Celebrate milestones (e.g. “You’ve earned 5 stamps - your reward is waiting!”)

4. Run Limited-Time Visit Bonuses

Inject urgency with campaigns like:

• “Double stamp days”

• “Get 3 visits in 7 days, earn a bonus reward”

• “Visit this weekend, unlock exclusive drop access”

These time-bound incentives drive short-term action while reinforcing long-term loyalty.

5. Pair with a Referral Loop

Encourage sharing by offering stamps for referrals:

• “Refer a friend, you both get a bonus visit”

• “Bring a friend on your next visit and earn double stamps”

This builds community and organically grows your base.

Tracking & Optimization Tips

• Monitor average visits per customer per month

• Track reward redemption rates

• Segment customers by visit frequency to tailor offers

• A/B test your milestone intervals (e.g. 3 visits vs. 5 visits)

Your POS or Sticky Cards dashboard should provide this data in real time.

Examples of Visit-Based Rewards

Keep it simple, on-brand, and tied to your top-performing SKUs.

Final Thoughts

A well-executed cannabis visit based loyalty program encourages customers to keep coming back - not just when they’re ready to spend big. It builds trust, habits, and engagement, all without relying on discounts or complicated point systems.

Best of all, it’s easy to deploy with Sticky Cards’ wallet-first, SMS-free loyalty tools.