Testing the hypothesis, part 2

After reading my comments regarding my idea for medical marijuana dispensary that runs primarily through an app and delivery services, there are definitely some changes I want to make. In this second part of testing my hypothesis, I was able to interview an employee who works at the only local dispensary in Gainesville, which helped me to realize some more opportunities.

Who falls outside the boundary: Everyone I interviewed were not medical marijuana patients, so they’re considered outside the boundary because my opportunity focuses on those who use medical marijuana. Even though they are not the group I would market towards, each participant agreed that a delivery dispensary is a good idea and would benefit the patients at Shands. In Florida alone, there are 100,000 registered medical marijuana patients, so the demand is there for easy access to the drug. I did talk to an employee and hopeful marijuana entrepreneur who works at the local dispensary called Knox, and he provided me with valuable information regarding the delivery process and its legalities (and as long as you carry the proper licensing, you won’t have any problems with police). Also, customers are required to pay with cash and debit, so my store would take both AND credit.

What: The point at which my need differs from another is when patients going through chemo or other types of therapy are too weak or sickly to get the drug at the store. Being able to press a few buttons on your phone and have the already-paid-for product delivered to you at the requested date is something we don’t have here.

Why: My opportunity is slightly different in the fact that those outside of my boundary are those who don’t have a medical marijuana prescription. Because I want to keep my idea local to Florida, I have 100,000 people I’m marketing towards. There’s no underlying cause of a similar need outside my boundary because they don’t have the need at all for medical marijuana (their health is fine, they don’t have licenses, they use it illegally, etc).

Inside the boundary                                                                 Outside the boundary

The 100,000 medical marijuana patients in Florida	Those who are not medical marijuana patients
Need easy, planned-out access to the drug when patients are too weak/sickly	They don’t use medical marijuana, so they don’t need it
Exists because chronic illnesses can keep patients from feeling healthy enough to run prescription errands	If these people need marijuana, they buy it illegally