Here’s the simple truth shoppers keep testing in real life: if the goal is “fastest from click to cannabis,” in-store pickup usually wins; delivery wins on convenience. Third-party data and retailer tooling explain why.

Most stores that offer order-ahead let shoppers pick up as soon as staff confirms the bag is packed—often shown as a live estimate in minutes. Market platforms even let retailers set the expected prep time to the minute (for example, “ready in 15–30 minutes”) so customers see a realistic window before they place the order. That estimate can be tuned by the store and surfaces right on the menu, which is why pickup frequently becomes the quickest path during business hours.

Delivery, by design, adds travel and compliance steps. Licensed services must verify ID at handoff and follow strict routing, inventory, and operating-hour rules (e.g., some states restrict late-night deliveries), which introduces variability. Leafly’s consumer guide sets expectations clearly: delivery can arrive “the same hour,” later that day, or next day depending on the service and slot you choose. That flexibility is convenient, but the window is typically wider than a pickup ETA. Leafly also notes that state rules (such as no deliveries after 9 p.m. in certain markets) can further shape timing, especially late in the day.

Real-world notifications make the gap feel even bigger. With pickup, shoppers usually receive a text the moment the order is marked “ready,” and then they can skip the line when they arrive. Delivery confirmations, by contrast, include a scheduled time or time window and status updates until the driver reaches the door. That extra leg is the trade-off for not having to leave home.

Consumer trend data helps explain the behavior behind these choices. BDSA reports show convenience features (delivery, online ordering, curbside) have become table stakes as legal markets mature, while price sensitivity has risen—so many shoppers use pickup to get promo pricing quickly without paying delivery fees or minimums. On the busiest cannabis days, industry dashboards track massive order volumes; retailers that lean into order-ahead and queue management tools are better positioned to convert that demand with shorter waits.

So which is faster, on average? For “I want it now” shopping during store hours, pickup is typically fastest because fulfillment is under the store’s direct control and ETAs are measured in minutes. Delivery can absolutely be fast—sometimes within the hour in dense service areas—but its timing is gated by driver availability, traffic, and state rules, so it’s best when you value convenience over strict speed. Practical tip: if you’re in a rush, choose pickup at a shop showing a short “ready in X minutes” estimate; if you’re homebound or planning later, book an early delivery window to avoid the evening backlog.

Bottom line: both channels are getting quicker as retailers upgrade tech and staffing, but pickup still tends to win the sprint, while delivery wins the marathon of comfort.