Weedmaps vs Leafly: The Evolution of Cannabis Marketplace Giants

Remember when buying weed meant texting that one friend who knew a guy? Thankfully, those days are mostly behind us. The cannabis industry has grown up fast—and much of that growth was shaped by two big players: Weedmaps and Leafly.

At Save On Cannabis, we’ve watched these platforms evolve from digital maps and strain encyclopedias into full-on e-commerce tools. They’ve done a lot of good. But let’s be honest—they weren’t designed with today’s savvy, budget-conscious cannabis consumer in mind. So while we respect the paths they paved, we also saw an opportunity to build something better.

Let’s break down what Weedmaps and Leafly did right, where they fell short, and why we created Save On Cannabis as a smarter, value-driven alternative.

Weedmaps: From Map App to Cannabis Powerhouse

When Weedmaps launched back in 2008, it was a game-changer. Up until then, most people either stumbled upon a dispensary or heard about it through friends. Weedmaps gave cannabis patients a real-time map of where to buy weed legally. At the time, that was revolutionary.

The original founders, Justin Hartfield and Keith Hoerling, probably had no idea their little startup would eventually become one of the most recognizable cannabis brands in the world. But the timing was perfect, and the market was desperate for some structure.

Fast forward a decade, and Weedmaps isn’t just a map anymore. Under WM Technology, it’s a full-blown cannabis marketplace. You can:

• Browse live menus from licensed dispensaries

• Place orders for delivery or pickup

• Read reviews tied to real dispensary experiences

• Filter listings to only show legal, compliant businesses

That last point—verifying licenses—came after some well-earned criticism. For years, Weedmaps listed anyone who paid to be featured, legal or not. This made it harder for licensed shops to compete with unlicensed ones offering lower prices (and zero regulation). Regulators eventually stepped in, and by 2022, Weedmaps shifted toward legitimacy and compliance.

Still, the platform is incredibly useful when you’re in an unfamiliar city and want to see what’s nearby. But if you’re looking for the best deal? It gets a little murky.

Leafly: The Guidebook for Strain Lovers and Newbies

Leafly took a different route. Launched in 2010, it wasn’t about where to buy cannabis—it was about what to buy. For anyone who didn’t want to rely solely on their budtender’s recommendations or whatever strain name sounded cool, Leafly was a breath of fresh air.

It introduced the world’s first standardized strain database, complete with effects, flavor profiles, cannabinoid breakdowns, and even common side effects. You could figure out which strains made people feel relaxed or energized, and which ones were better left to the seasoned veterans.

That color-coded effects system they built? Genuinely brilliant. Even total newcomers could figure out that blue dots = chill and red dots = high energy.

Today, Leafly offers:

• Detailed info on 5,000+ strains

• Educational content on terpenes, cannabinoids, and usage

• User-submitted reviews on strains and products

• Integrated dispensary listings and menus

They went public in 2022—just like Weedmaps—cementing their place in the cannabis mainstream.

If you’re researching a new strain or trying to understand why everyone’s talking about myrcene or limonene, Leafly’s still the go-to. But for price comparisons? Not so much.

What Really Sets Weedmaps and Leafly Apart

Having worked with brands and dispensaries on both platforms over the years, we can tell you this: they serve different audiences.

Weedmaps is built for the buyer who knows what they want. It’s about access, speed, and convenience. Think: “I’m in LA for the weekend, where can I get X strain delivered tonight?”

Leafly is more for the explorer. The curious shopper who wants to understand what they’re putting in their body. It’s the first stop for learning, not always the last stop for buying.

Weedmaps users tend to be focused on which store has it cheapest and quickest. Leafly users want to know why it works the way it does. Both approaches are valid, but neither really nails value. That’s where Save On Cannabis comes in.

Why We Built Save On Cannabis

The cannabis industry isn’t new anymore. Consumers are smarter, the products are better, and let’s be real—people are tired of overpaying for the same weed they could get elsewhere for less.

And that’s the core issue with platforms like Weedmaps and Leafly: they weren’t built with your wallet in mind.

Weedmaps charges dispensaries to show up in search results. Leafly works with brands to feature their products. Neither platform makes more money by helping you spend less.

That’s why we built Save On Cannabis—to do one thing really well: help people save money on cannabis.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Verified discount codes for licensed dispensaries and online retailers

• Exclusive deals on everything from THC and CBD to glassware and gummies

• No sponsored listings, no fluff—just what saves you money

• Updated info on student, veteran, and medical discounts

• No middlemen, no upcharges—just clean, direct savings

We’ve had users discover 25% off at places they were already shopping—without ever knowing a discount existed. That’s the problem we’re solving. Because paying full price for weed in 2025? That’s just unnecessary.

High For Low: One Cart, Many Stores, Big Savings

We also saw another huge gap: price comparison across multiple vendors. Nobody wants to open five tabs and bounce between sites trying to see who has the best deal on edibles or vapes.

That’s where High For Low comes in.

It’s a multi-store cannabis marketplace that lets you:

• Shop THC, CBD, and accessories from multiple brands at once

• See real-time prices across vendors

• Automatically apply available discounts at checkout

• Ship direct from vendors—no markups or fake “convenience” fees

Think of it like the Honey plugin meets cannabis. Load up your cart, apply the best deal, and move on with your life. Simple.

Our team’s watched customers save hundreds just by switching to High For Low for their regular orders. And that doesn’t even include the time saved not hunting for codes or jumping between carts.

The Bottom Line: The Industry Grew Up—Now Shopping Needs To

We’re not here to knock Weedmaps or Leafly. They’ve done more for cannabis normalization than almost anyone else. They helped take this industry from “my buddy’s dealer” to “buy online, pick up legally.” That’s huge.

But it’s 2025. And shoppers today aren’t just excited that cannabis is legal—they’re looking for value. They want quality, transparency, and yes, a fair price.

That’s why Save On Cannabis and High For Low exist. We’re here to make sure you never overpay, and that finding the best deal is as easy as lighting up.

So the next time you’re about to place an order, do yourself a favor:

• Check Save On Cannabis for verified coupons

• Then head to High For Low and shop smarter across multiple stores

Because in 2025, no one should be paying full price for weed.

Save On Cannabis

Save On Cannabis is the most trusted source for cannabis discounts and education information.  Vetted deals and clearly written articles to help you become a wiser consumer whether focused on the medical or recreational value of cannabis products.