Garden Remedies was founded by Dr. Karen Munkacy to help patients across Massachusetts who are in pain or otherwise suffering from a wide array of chronic illnesses or injuries find the most effective remedy for managing their symptoms and enjoying a better quality of life.
One of the first medical marijuana dispensaries in the Greater Boston area, Garden Remedies provides convenient access to safe, excellent-quality medical marijuana that helps patients find relief from a wide variety of debilitating symptoms and live fuller, more enjoyable lives. By offering medical marijuana products that are all natural and grown at their own cultivation facility, Garden Remedies gives patients a convenient, centrally-located dispensary where they can obtain medical marijuana from a knowledgeable, well-trained staff—and start experiencing the healing effects of a scientifically-validated remedy that is rooted in medicine.
The Challenge
Medical marijuana was legalized in Massachusetts in 2016. With over 20+ dispensaries in the state and counting, the ‘novelty’ story was starting to wear off and Garden Remedies needed to stand on its own merits. The buying process can also be confusing for consumers since it requires a medical marijuana card before even setting foot in the store and many don’t know where to begin.
Our Approach
Slotkin Communications designed a combination public relations and social media campaign to reach Garden Remedies’ target consumers in the area in and surrounding the city of Newton, MA. Focusing on education about the process and the medical benefits of marijuana, we built a targeted media list, developed content announcing the opening of Garden Remedies, and planned a robust media event for opening day. On top of traditional PR tactics, Slotkin Communications also built a full social media plan to complement the launch of the dispensary, including a calendar of Twitter and Facebook content as the retail site buildout was underway, and an educational video detailing how to get a medical marijuana card in Massachusetts.
Results
“As a registered non-profit Massachusetts marijuana dispensary, Garden Remedies of Newton provides legal medical marijuana (and marijuana-infused products) to people who have a Massachusetts Medical Marijuana card and are using marijuana to treat a medical condition.”
“Garden Remedies began accepting patients Tuesday in Newtonville – the ninth dispensary to come online in Massachusetts since voters legalized medical marijuana in 2012.”
“A medical marijuana shop opened in Newton Tuesday, the city’s first since the passage of medical marijuana legislation in 2012. Garden Remedies, located at 697 Washington St., celebrated the opening with the apropos cutting of a green ribbon.”
“The Garden Remedies Medical Marijuana Dispensary will open in Newton on Tuesday, serving as the first of its kind in the Boston suburb.”
“The state’s ninth medical marijuana dispensary opened today in Newton. The opening comes a week after voters legalized recreational marijuana. “They’ll be buzzed through this door,” said Karen Munkacy as she began a tour of the brand-new dispensary her company Garden Remedies is opening in Newton.”
“One week after Massachusetts voters approved the use of recreational marijuana, a new medical marijuana dispensary opened Tuesday in Newton. Garden Remedies on Washington Street is the ninth medical marijuana dispensary to open in Massachusetts.”
“In this episode, I am honored to have Dr. Karen Munkacy as my guest. Dr Munkacy, after years of preparation, launched the very first physician-owned medical cannabis dispensary in Massachusetts. This is a model that has set the standard for medical cannabis dispensaries.”
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