Since the format last time went well, I'll continue with it. However, new interviewees were involved this time. I think that, for my opportunity, I chose an interesting segment. To my understanding, they have this need for a convenience and price factor. Here, I interviewed 2 people with medical cards and 1 who has a family member with a medical card. I can't exactly go around asking everyone if they have a medical marijuana card, I may need to rethink my segment if we have to conduct these interviews again.
Alternative Evaluation:
To re-explain the information from the last interviews, I found that even though medical dispensaries exist, they are far too rare for many central- and north-Floridians to conveniently acquire their prescriptions. Picking up from drug dealers has its downfalls-sketchiness, danger, and the occasional overcharge. This time around, I received very similar answers. Of course, the one who has family with a medical card wasn't speaking for himself. But, it still seems that convenience and price are the big hitters when it comes to reasons behind this need. One of my two cardholders also mentioned that a high quality is assured when buying from an official dispensary.
How/Where?
Currently, 1 of the medical cardholders and the family member who has a card make the trip to the nearest dispensary - roughly an hour away from where they live! The other cardholder doesn't like to make the trip, so he usually supports the local "entrepreneurs". However, when he makes a trip home, there is a dispensary much closer to his hometown. So, he chooses the dispensary when he's home. Those who make the trip like to buy in bulk, so they don't have to keep driving 2 hours each time they need to relieve pain or calm down. But, it requires a lot of cash or a big transaction out of their bank accounts. They said they'd like a closer spot, so they don't have to spend so much money in one go.
Post-Purchase Eval
Because marijuana from dispensaries is a pretty consistent drug, my interviewees are often satisfied by their purchases when they make the trip. However, again, they don't like to make a day out of just going to pick up a prescription. They are happy with the purchase, but not with the inconvenience. They still think it's worth the drive, but they would prefer to not have the drive. The only one here who occasionally regrets their purchases is the one who goes to a dealer. He said when he first started "locally sourcing", dealers would often skimp him on how much he received, or the quality of the product just wasn't very good. These were regrettable purchases.
Conclusion
To sum it up, this segment is looking for convenience. They already have access to this product, but are looking for convenience, consistency, and a low price. They either pay in cash or debit card, and just hope for fair, high quality purchases that don't take advantage of an illegal situation like this guy's dealers sometimes do.
I agree that consistency is really tough to come by when you're purchasing from dealers rather than dispensaries. I mean, I feel like that's gonna be part of the risk of getting marijuana illegally. But as you said, a big problem that your interviewees are experiencing is the convenience of going to get their marijuana. Usually buying in bulk people might drop the prices down because of how much you're buying, but a lot of time they have a strict pricing so they don't normally do so. Plus, I do feel that having a closer location would prevent your segment from taking time out of their day to go and get marijuana, and will also cut their gas cost to get it as well.
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