Most dispensaries see their heaviest traffic on Fridays and Saturdays, mirroring traditional retail patterns. Industry analysis has shown that the majority of top sales days occur on Fridays or Saturdays, making those days the most line-prone. On typical days, transactions cluster in the mid-afternoon to early evening; data shows the busiest window is commonly 2 p.m.–6 p.m., which aligns with “after work” shopping. Consumer basket timing also reveals a pronounced Friday “happy hour” spike, with 3 p.m.–5 p.m. capturing a substantial share of daily baskets.

By contrast, weekday mornings are consistently lighter. Guidance for first-time visitors often notes that early morning or late evening visits help avoid lines—practical advice that reflects observed lull periods outside the mid-afternoon rush. Retail management data also indicates many stores experience quieter mornings in their hourly heat maps, which tracks with what front-of-house teams report on slower openers before lunchtime.

Holidays and deal days are special cases. The 4/20 period is the year’s busiest shopping window, with multiple datasets showing outsized sales and heavier in-store traffic—so expect waits unless you arrive right at open. Even on 4/20 itself, traffic tends to peak earlier than a normal day, then taper after the 4:20 p.m. moment; planning an early-morning visit can help. “Green Wednesday” (the day before Thanksgiving) and other promotional periods also attract lines; historical reporting ties these peaks to aggressive discounting and shopper stock-up behavior.

Actionable timing tips:

• Aim for weekday mornings (right at open through late morning) to minimize wait times; avoid the 2 p.m.–6 p.m. rush where possible.
• If weekdays aren’t an option, try later evenings on non-event days; many stores experience a post-dinner lull before close.
• Skip promotional peaks unless the savings outweigh the wait. Fridays, Saturdays, 4/20 week, and the day before major holidays (e.g., Green Wednesday) are reliably busier.
• Check “Popular Times” and live busyness on Google Maps or store menus; patterns rarely deviate far from the mid-afternoon spike.
• Consider preorder for pickup during peak windows; while peaks remain, fulfillment queues tend to move faster when orders are placed ahead.

Bottom line: For the smoothest in-store experience with minimal waiting, target Tuesday–Thursday mornings, especially from open through late morning. Avoid the 2 p.m.–6 p.m. band—particularly on Fridays and Saturdays—and plan around event days like 4/20 and Green Wednesday when discounts drive heavy foot traffic. Industry-wide POS data and shopper guidance consistently point to those windows as the best bet for a quick in-and-out visit.

Read More: Limited Drops, Big Savings: Are Cannabis Holidays Your Best Bet?