TGOD faced significant challenges in launching a successful e-commerce platform due to the legal complexities surrounding the sale of cannabis. Restrictions on advertising, age verification, and stringent compliance requirements meant that TGOD needed a tailored solution to ensure regulatory compliance while providing a seamless shopping experience for its medical cannabis patients.
Context
TGOD is a medical cannabis company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The Green Organic Dutchman (TGOD) is a major player in the medical cannabis industry, publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Following its record-setting IPO in 2018, TGOD sought to scale its presence by establishing a robust e-commerce platform to serve patients in a heavily regulated market. Their flagship facility, an 820,000 sq ft greenhouse in Quebec, underscored their commitment to growth and sustainability.
Problem
Overcoming Ecommerce Restrictions in the Medical Cannabis Industry
Process
Regulatory compliance and patient-centered design.
The first step involved comprehensive research into the regulatory guidelines governing the online sale of cannabis. This involved working closely with legal experts to ensure that all privacy, security, and compliance requirements were addressed.
As a UX/UI Designer, I collaborated with cross-functional teams, including developers and domain experts, to build a Shopify-based platform tailored to TGOD’s needs. The design process focused on creating an intuitive, patient-centric experience that would allow users to easily navigate the site, discover products, and complete purchases, while adhering to all regulatory constraints.
To ensure operational efficiency, we integrated backend systems for inventory management, secure payment processing, and order fulfillment. Data privacy and security measures were implemented in accordance with industry standards. Throughout the development, continuous iterations were made based on user feedback and stakeholder input to improve the platform’s usability and performance.
Solution
A compliant, user-friendly Shopify platform empowering patients.
The result was a Shopify ecommerce platform that made it easy for patients to find the medical cannabis products they needed, despite the regulatory restrictions. The user-friendly design featured intuitive sorting and filtering options, which simplified product discovery. Detailed product pages helped patients make informed choices, while personalized recommendations encouraged exploration of additional products.
The platform successfully balanced regulatory compliance with a seamless user experience, leading to increased customer satisfaction, higher conversion rates, and improved patient loyalty.
