Blog Post #9: Assignment 9A - Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

Who: After conducting my second set of interviews, I was able to find a few demographics that, although they should have the unmet need, do not and therefore, fall outside of the boundary. One demographic includes those with very close family members and friends. Even if the patient is unable to purchase the medical marijuana from a dispensary by themselves, they are able to rely on their friends and family, especially those who are above the age of 21 years old and live in an area where marijuana is legal, to pick up the treatment for them. Therefore, these people have no need for a service that delivers medical marijuana to them directly. Another demographic that should have this unmet need but does not are people who know others who sell marijuana illegally, also known as drug dealers. If a patient in need of marijuana for medical usage is friendly with a drug dealer who sells marijuana, the patient can just have the dealer come to their house to deliver the marijuana, and usually sell it for a cheaper price than what the dispensaries are charging.

What: The way the needs differ are due to what the consumer wishes to use the marijuana for. Most people that purchase medical marijuana use it as a form of treatment and a way to relieve pain and improve daily living. However, there are also many people purchase medical marijuana for recreational usage, whether it be their own, their friends, or others.

Why: The underlying cause for those on the outside of the boundary is due to the lack of regulation of illegal marijuana usage. Since nowadays, just about anybody over the age of 21 can purchase marijuana legally in some states, and drug dealers who sell marijuana are still very common, there are many people who do not require a medical marijuana delivery service.

• Inside the Boundary
• Who is In
• Patients with chronic illnesses
• What the Need is
• A way to purchase and receive medical marijuana without having to leave your bed
• Why the Need Exists
• Patients want to use medical marijuana for treatment purposes but are unable/too sick to leave their homes and travel to a dispensary to purchase it.
• Outside the Boundary
• Who is Not
• Patients who can travel despite their illnesses
• People with other forms of access to marijuana
• What the Need is Not
• Natural or alternative forms of treatment and medication
• Alternative Explanation
• Having access to illegal drug dealers that can sell patients marijuana for cheaper prices than dispensaries and deliver directly to the patients at their homes