Got questions about using medical marijuana in Ohio? Bloom Medicinals wants to help! With more and more cannabis dispensaries to choose from as the market expands, Bloom Medicinals has been one chain that stands out for its commitment to education and patient-centric care. Here’s more about them and where you can shop:
Bloom’s History
In 2020, we interviewed Bloom’s CEO Nicole Stark to learn more about her company’s dispensary chain headquartered in south Florida. Bloom entered the Ohio market at its’ inception way back in 2019, and Nicole gave us some insight into how difficult that was: “To enter the industry, there is a rigorous application process unique to each individual jurisdiction. There is a lot of competition for relatively few available licenses.”
Nicole Stark also noted in 2020 the dedication that the company wanted to show to truly offering patient-focused care. “Despite societal progress, there is still a stigma associated with medical marijuana. Bloom Medicinals expends a significant amount of its resources to create educational initiatives and events for prospective medical marijuana patients, recommending physicians and community members at large as to the medicinal benefits of cannabis.” You can read the rest of our interview with Nicole here.
In 2021, we spoke with Bloom’s Ohio management team to shed some light on the chain’s local operations that serve five cities. Recently, MedicateOH caught up with Lisa Burton, Bloom Medicinals Outreach Marketing Manager, to gain further insights into the company’s philosophy, patient experience, product selection, and plans for the future.
Bloom’s Journey in Ohio
Bloom Medicinals built five locations across the state in five cities: Maumee, Akron, Paynesville, Columbus, and Seven Mile. Bloom has dispensaries in other states offering both medical and recreational products, but the focus in Ohio remains on medical card patients only for the time being.
Lisa shares, “We’re waiting for the laws to work themselves out within the state before we start to offer recreational [products], but we’ll definitely be notifying and letting everyone know as soon as that becomes available in our stores.”
Patient-Centric Approach
As Nicole Stark noted, one of Bloom’s key pillars is education. Lisa emphasizes, “Our main focus has always been education, and helping patients learn about the therapeutic effects of cannabis.” Recognizing that many patients are new to cannabis and may not fully understand the range of products available, Bloom places a strong emphasis on helping patients navigate their journey.
“We’re here to guide them through the process and make them feel comfortable, to answer questions and support them throughout their journey.” Lisa adds. The goal is to ensure that patients have a warm and friendly experience, especially given the potentially intimidating nature of entering the cannabis space for the first time.
Product Selection and Patient Feedback
Bloom’s team feels that by really listening and responding to their patients, they’ve been able to develop a more medicinally-focused menu than the competition. Lisa explains, “We pay attention to patient demand, what we can’t keep on our shelves. It’s a collaborative effort.” The focus is not just on popular products but also on delivering quality and safety within the dispensaries while ensuring affordability.
The dispensary team undergoes extensive training to meet patients’ needs. Lisa mentions, “All employees take a certification course in their onboarding process.” This training covers product knowledge, methods and forms of administration, and understanding cannabinoids and terpenes.
Patient feedback is crucial for Bloom, and Lisa notes, “If you check Bloom Google reviews, you can see firsthand many five-star reviews that we receive from our valued patients.”
Discounts and Convenience
Bloom Medicinals offers a variety of discounts, including daily discounts, vendor deals, and bulk purchase discounts. Every day, veterans, those who qualify as indigent, and industry employees receive 25 percent off.
The dispensary also provides online ordering and convenient options for patients, such as Express Checkout and self-service walk-in kiosks (at select locations), ensuring a quick and efficient experience.
Future Plans: Curbside, Drive-Through, and Adult Use
Bloom Medicinals is actively exploring the implementation of curbside services. Lisa shares, “We are looking into getting curbside, we do not have it available yet. There is discussion about adding additional convenient options like curbside or drive-throughs in the future.”
Regarding adult-use cannabis, Lisa states, “Right now we’re waiting for updates on the rules and regulations from the state, and in the meantime we are exploring different possibilities to expand into the recreational market.”
Consultation Services and Community Engagement
Lisa emphasizes the free consultation services offered by Bloom Medicinals, where patients can seek guidance on various aspects, including obtaining a medical marijuana card, product questions, or general information.
Furthermore, Bloom Medicinals takes pride in forming strong connections with the community. Lisa compares it to the TV show “Cheers,” saying, “It’s like Cheers where everyone knows your name! Bloom values personal connections with our patients, which is something I truly cherish.”
MedicateOH: In-Store at Bloom Seven Mile
The MedicateOH team will be in store at Bloom Seven Mile on Friday March 1st, noon to 3 p.m. to talk about the non-profit work we do and our upcoming event, and the MedicateOH Wellness & Cannabis Expo at the Marriott Cincinnati North in West Chester, Ohio on Saturday, March 16th.
Lisa and the team at Bloom invite you to come into one of their five Ohio stores. You can walk in anytime or book your appointment at https://bloomohio.com/online-consultations.
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