Imagine Yelp, but for marijuana; Apple approves cannabis app, BlazeNow, for finding and rating local dispensaries
Cayla Mihalovich
On July 27, Apple approved a new cannabis app called Blaze Now, on which users can find and rate local dispensaries. Imagine Yelp, but for marijuana.
As the cannabis industry gains momentum, Blaze Now—founded by dispensary owners, for dispensary owners—intends to go even further than dispensary location, however: they want to be the first platform for mainstream advertisers, providing them with a go-to media outlet.
The homepage of the Blaze Now website reads like an online magazine, allowing visitors to scroll through articles like “How to Make Cannabis-Infused Butter” and “7 Celebrities Looking to Cash in on the Cannabis Industry’s ‘Green Rush’.”
MediaTechnics Corporation (MEDT) was responsible for launching the iOS Beta Version of BlazeNow. Jeremy Carr, MEDT CEO, comments, “I’m extremely impressed by the results of our development team and I hope to set a firm launch date in the near future.”
The complete consumer facing web version, as well as the dispensary management and internal Web applications, user account setups and site content all remain in production by MEDT subsidiary, Evergreen Systems Incorporated.
According to Blaze Now, there is a shortage of real-time data in the emerging market. For this reason, Evergreen Systems Incorporated is dedicated to developing technology that collects valuable data useful to potential investors, business owners, entrepreneurs, legislatures and the general public.
In order to drive traffic and encourage participation on the Blaze Now site, Evergreen Systems Incorporated is working to design a user rewards program. Additionally, an affiliate program is underway to prompt dispensaries to actively manage their listings and direct their customers to Blaze Now for reviews and information.
According to CB Insights, tech companies involved in the marijuana trade have seen incredible traction, having raised $100 million in venture capital within the past year.
