The Lowdown on Low Dosing with Kristie Amobi

About the Author

Kristie Amobi

Kristie Amobi, Author of The Lowdown on Low Dosing

Kristie Amobi is an executive consultant working in the medical industry. Prior to consulting, Kristie served as VP of Marketing at Elekta, Inc., the second largest cancer treatment equipment and software manufacturer in the world. Kristie’s interest in cannabis stems from a positive personal experience. She is passionate about making sure people have accurate information about cannabis and understand how microdosing cannabis can be an alternative to prescription medicine and a substitute for alcohol. Kristie holds a BA in Human Biology from Stanford University, an MBA from Azusa Pacific University, and a professional certificate in Cannabis Science and Medicine from the University of Vermont.

Relax in a Controlled Way

Source: Giphy

I’m not entirely with the group who sings the praises of cannabis for everything, but I’m convinced it’s worth a second look in microdoses to help manage stress and insomnia with significantly fewer side effects in low doses.

Many people won’t take a serious look at cannabis because they only think it’s about smoking and getting high, or they’ve heard horror stories of an edible gone awry and don’t want to risk it. I’m here to change the narrative.

What is Microdosing?

So what exactly is microdosing cannabis?

Most dispensary operators will tell you that a low-dose product is around 10mg of THC per dose, but most new emerging cannabis consumers will experience quite a “high” with 10mg of THC per dose. This is important because you can easily be turned off from cannabis, or any supplement, if you have a negative experience.

I define a microdose product as one having 5mg of THC or less.

Start Low and Slow

 

That said, I always give the advice to start low and slow and by low and slow I mean LOW and SLOW! Start with a dose of no more than 2.5mg of THC. If taken after work via an oral consumption method (via tincture or edible, not smoking), the effects will definitely kick in slowly and over time and last several hours, producing a state of relaxation. Microdoses of cannabis can also be taken orally before bed and will produce more restful, longer lasting sleep.

The reason why this works is because of the way that your body process cannabis when it’s consumed orally. When you smoke cannabis, you get very sharp peaks and valleys. When you ingest (or eat) cannabis, it is processed by your liver in a much different way. The effects build gradually and last 6-8 hours.

As mentioned previously, low-dose options are also now available in more traditional methods of administration, such as liquid tinctures and capsules. These methods of administration make it incredibly easy to know exactly what you are getting and to precisely control the dose. Just like you know that the ibuprofen you are taking for that hangover is exactly 200mg. They also offer a lot of discretion! No smell! No smoking.

Try Microdosing as a Substitute for Alcohol – Just for a night!

Substituting alcohol for cannabis in small doses can have surprising effects!

I’m also convinced cannabis is a great substitute for alcohol. You don’t have to replace your alcohol consumption entirely to experience the benefits of cannabis. In low doses, people can reap many stress-reducing benefits of cannabis without experiencing any undesired side effects such as coordination issues, drowsiness, paranoia or appetite stimulation. And in low doses, there’s no “getting high.”

No Lethal Dose

Another important thing to note about cannabis, especially relative to alcohol and prescription medication for stress and sleep, is that there’s never been one lethal overdose of cannabis worldwide. Not one. 100,000 Americans die every year from adverse reactions to routine use of FDA-approved prescription drugs and more than 30,000 deaths from alcohol every year, not including alcohol-related accidents or homicides, which would increase that number to almost 90,000.

Product Recommendations

Petra Mints by Kiva

My favorite microdosing product in any category for price, quality, consistency and effect is Petra Mints by Kiva. Kiva designed Petra with low dosing and new cannabis consumers in mind. With 2.5mg of THC per mint, Petra offers a reliable way to get the relaxing benefits of THC without the disruptive psychoactive effects of THC in higher doses. I’m telling you… I have tried a lot of products. A lot, in six states, and these are by far my favorite. They are portable. Taste great. Discreet. Kiva offers two flavors: Moroccan Mint and Eucalyptus, and they are both great.

Peppermint Pastilles by Goodship

If you are living in the state of Washington and looking for *the best* low dosing product on the market, the Goodship Peppermint Pastilles are the ones for you! There is excellent value with 40 mints per box and only 2.5 mg of THC per mint so the dosing is perfect for new cannabis consumers looking for a replacement to their evening glass of wine, or just to take the edge off. Another thing I like about the Pastilles is the variety of flavors. My personal favorite is the peppermint but it also comes in tart cherry and lemon-lime. There are a few annoying packaging issues here but overall, I give these great accolades for flavor, consistency and effect.

Getting Started

After the initial success of the guide, I expanded our education materials to include videos, articles, and other resources, all gathered online at Rebalan.com.

I’m proud to be partnering with progressive companies like WebJoint to help spread the word.

If you would like to learn more, just visit our site. Enter your name and address so we can keep in touch with you in our newsletter (we won’t ever share your info) and you can easily download the guide now at: www.rebalan.com/guide.

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Cannabis Events in Los Angeles You Cannot Miss!

Los Angeles Cannabis Events Aren’t a Rarity!

This short list is nowhere near a comprehensive guide to cannabis events in Los Angeles but looks to serve as a starting point for anyone interested in the cannabis space. Each of the events listed has it’s own unique set of characteristics and promotes a way of engaging the industry that you won’t want to miss!

With one of the largest economies in the country, it’s no surprise that Los Angeles is home to the most pertinent cannabis networking events in the entire industry. With big-name influential figures and emerging brands that are taking the industry by storm, networking in Los Angeles is sure to produce results that you never thought were possible. Looking to connect with fellow colleagues? Be sure to check out these 3 cannabis events to get a full scope of what the industry looks like “on the ground.”

I. Blunt Talks

Location: Varies by month.

Hosted by one of the industry’s highly respected & connected individuals, Sam Zartoshty & Paragon, Blunt Talks definitely takes the cake when juxtaposing networking events that occur in Los Angeles. Paragon is a company that provides a way of recruiting talent for the cannabis industry that uses proprietary technology to eliminate race, class, and gender discrimination throughout the hiring process. Discrimination runs rampant throughout a multitude of industries with cannabis being no different—and Paragon wants to change that.

Running with a similar format to the educational “Ted Talks” held around the world, Blunt Talks capitalizes on a plethora of talented individuals that represent various sectors of the cannabis industry. Previous speakers include figures like Christopher Dell’Olio (WebJoint), Matthew Morgan (Reef Dispensaries, Ignite Cannabis Co.), Mario Sherbinski (Sherbinskis), James Victor (James Henry SF), Kimberly Dillon (Papa & Barkley), and Nick Kovacevich (KushCo Holdings). Each event is sure to provide you with new information about the status of new projects in the industry while bringing light to the current state of the industry.

You’ll want to arrive early to network before the event begins and enjoy booths arranged by brands that highlight their products. Blunt Talks is typically an open-open-consumption event so don’t be surprised when you see someone openly smoke a vape or spark a blunt. If you’re worried about running late, don’t fret! Blunt Talks usually has a pair of speakers start the evening, followed by a brief networking break before continuing with another pair of speakers—following this format until the evening is over.

Don’t be surprised to see this event travel to San Francisco and Colorado! Paragon Space and Bevel have been the recent homes of Blunt Talks, but other events have been held in various art galleries and collaborative spaces. The vibe of this event is definitely one you need to experience in person to get a full understanding of just how many thought leaders can be placed in one space.

Bring a few business cards, a notebook, and plenty of smiles to share with thought leaders in the industry! Blunt Talks is easily one of the best, most accessible cannabis events in all of Los Angeles.

Related: A Definitive Guide to Compliance — California Cannabis Dispensaries

II. Soil to the Oil: Terpene Training w/ Kristen Yoder

cannabis oil to the soil

Kristen Yoder on Purple Haze Radio at the Cannabis World Congress Business Expo (CWCBE) in Los Angeles.

Location: WeWork, Varies by month.

This is an event that will change the way you understand cannabis science…forever. Bring a pen and your favorite notepad as Kristen Yoder gets ready to rock your world with information on cannabis terpenes! Using the normalized terms for categorizing cannabis—Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? Think again—Kristen Yoder will be sure to change the way you talk about cannabis.

With a LinkedIn network of over 20,000 meaningful connections and over 10 years of experience in the industry, Kristen Yoder is at the top of cannabis influencers. If it’s a part of the supply chain, she’s been involved with it. Kristen has taken pride in “calling out” brands & companies for dispersing false information and propping up the cannabis industry as a “green rush.” She makes it clear that the soul of the industry departed with the implementation of Prop 64, which legalized cannabis and in her opinion, has made consolidation the go-to business model for the industry while ignoring what has grounded cannabis forever – culture. Within the last year, Kristen has propped herself up to be the CannaBS Detector, starting a podcast to discuss the granular details of a post-legalization market.

What you’ll get out of this workshop/networking opportunity is not only an educational breakdown of terpenes in cannabis but an overall incredible educational experience that is lead by a high-energy, passion-driven cannabis veteran who isn’t afraid to voice her opinion. This event is typically small in scale, allowing for intimate discussion to take place with like-minded individuals who are interested in the way that cannabis works in correlation with the human olfactory system.

You can expect to be in the same room as fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, budtenders, dispensary managers, compliance officers, attorneys, you name it! Get your questions ready and ramp up for a classic workshop on one of the most underrated aspects of cannabis—terpenes!

Check out Kristen’s content by visiting her website or engaging her on LinkedIn.

Related: 7 Questions to Ask When Purchasing Software for Your Cannabis Delivery Service

III. Cannagather LA

cannagather LA

Cannagather LA’s first event drew a crowd of over 170 attendees including a Keynote Speech by Nicholas Kovacevich of KushCo Holdings Inc.

Location: The Riveter, Santa Monica

Cannagather is home to a monthly meetup that focuses on connecting cannabis professionals from around the world. This event is held around the nation with chapters in states such as Colorado, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington D.C.. Topics range from marketing tactics to investment insights and overall cannabis uses with respect to business. Led by Baker Technologies‘ Rico Tarver, Cannagather’s first event in Los Angeles hosted over 170 attendees with brands such as Nuvata highlighting their product prior to hitting market shelves.

If you’re looking for information on a specific topic, be on the lookout for keynote speakers that pertain to that subject. Cannagather’s format is not a panel-like discussion, opting for a few individual presentations followed by a central keynote speech to round out the evening’s festivities. You can expect food, drinks, and a whirlwind of conversations being had throughout the entirety of the event. Similar to Blunt Talks, Cannagather is grounded in industry education for all in attendance. Whether you are a cannabis industry veteran or just getting your feet wet, this cannabis event is sure to provide you with value.

Tickets for the next Cannagather can be found here.

Related: 3 Basic Details to Know About the Brands Your Cannabis Delivery Service Carries

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Cannabis Delivery Service Data Points to Study

Numbers don’t lie – your cannabis delivery service data is your source of truth.

Nothing makes that more clear than being able to skillfully dissect the cannabis delivery service data that your point-of-sale partner provides you. Information from these reports can not only give you raw data, but the metrics provided should be used in a way that helps shape future decisions on day-to-day business operations.

Measurable data gathered at your retail dispensary can be used to track everything from transactions, web & marketing metrics, to customer information and inventory turnover rate. Maximizing the potential of this information is the best way to improve ROI and use indisputable tools to give you an edge on the track to success.

But what data should you be studying? Let’s cover the important reports that you should be using to make your dispensary and staff run at full strength!

How are you using your cannabis delivery service data?

Examining customer behavior such as purchasing trends and top-selling products helps to optimize daily operations.

Checking in customers is not only mandatory but is an easy way to start measuring data points. Customer info is the easiest group of data to track. This information can give your dispensary a solid figure on the average number of customers per day as well as the median age and geographical location they represent.

Median age and geographical location can help steer your next marketing tactic and give you context on what is truly effective. Email subscriber lists, landing pages, and text blasts can be influenced by this data and inspire new ideas to bring in customers. Perhaps you’ve wanted to try something new and haven’t because you aren’t fully confident in the results—use data to make an informed decision!

The possibilities of median age, geographical location and income lining up to give you an advantage on qualifying metrics is extremely high and almost fool-proof! Your marketing material may need to cater to a certain customer persona rather than approach the situation from a broad perspective.

Critical thinking and analysis of your customer data could be the difference between a hit or miss in your location—don’t miss the opportunity to build customer loyalty from the get-go!

Related Post Using Cannabis Delivery Data to Maximize Efficiency 

How can METRC-integration be used beyond just reporting?

WebJoint is METRC certified and can produce all mandatory seed-to-sale reports.

Don’t overlook METRC data!

There are circulating discussions on the difficulty of METRC-integration due to the fact that up until this year, cannabis has been dealt with in a paper-only fashion. Add strict timelines for mandated sales reports and live inventory that keeps seed-to-sale information into the mix and what you end up with today, is a massive database that should be used as a vital tool to your business’ success.

Taking an active effort in reporting to METRC not only keeps your location(s) compliant but helps illustrate the buying patterns of customers. What this does for your business is allow you to build stable relationships with cultivators, distributors, and microbusinesses that are in high demand. In turn, you are able to keep products in stock that continue to bring monetary value to your business and enjoyment to your customers.

METRC is oftentimes thought of only in terms of the mandatory reporting that needs to be done for inventory and not for it’s potential on the information it can provide on the availability of products, inventory you currently have, and ways to maximize profitability by tracking fast-moving cannabis goods.

Data on fast-moving product can help give the “green light” on increasing the stock of that product while red flags can be raised on products that sit for a long time and don’t convert into a sale in a timely fashion. Forecasting demand of these products can make collaborating with distributors and brands that much easier, making profit a figure of central importance!

The anticipation of sales helps give you an edge on the necessary liquidation of stock while maintaining an outlook on the recent trends in the market. As data generates a visual approach to inventory management, METRC gives you the tools necessary to be proactive to the marketing of retail services.

Seeing as though METRC makes it mandatory to report each change of custody for cannabis products, it inherently allows you to have instant access to all information regarding your products, effectively consolidating it and placing it at your fingertips. Wondering where there is monetary value in your inventory that can be converted into a sale? Pull the data from METRC and maximize ROI on each product of your stock!

Are you tracking sales reports?

WebJoint’s sales reports give our retail clients the necessary insights to optimize day-to-day operations.

In the age of data and legal cannabis, there is no reason to ignore what the numbers are telling you. Customers have the ability to indirectly show you what they want and don’t want through the data that you are collecting on each purchase.

Purchase history for customers is a vital metric to look at closely as it reveals (without having to do a lot of work) patterns on an individual basis. Tracking every purchase made, when the customer purchases it, the amount of times a customer chooses that product, and the amount of revenue created from repetition paints a clear picture that ought to change the way operations take place.

Peak hours and purchasing habits within these peak hours are a way to analyze what the next promotion should be and when the promotion should be offered which keeps your income steady and makes the most of foot traffic being created. Sales reports and peak purchasing periods could be the difference between an average day and a great day of business.

Giving your budtenders an advantage by being able to look through a client’s history may help inform them on suggestions to make and tap into facilitating an environment that promotes customer loyalty.

Improving a customer’s experience with your dispensary data points makes your job a little easier, centers your customer’s wants, and results in overall increased revenue. Making your customer feel important every time they step into your facility should be a top priority and what better way to do this than by making it obvious that you care about their prior choices?!

Data really matters!

There are little shortcomings that result from being able to track every data point that relates to your dispensary. In fact, data is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal and makes your job of maintaining a steady stream of revenue a whole lot easier! Pay attention to the numbers, make projections based on what you see, and spend more time processing orders as a result!

Are you tracking customer information, using METRC to its full potential, and making sales projections based on previous purchase history? What data metrics are you tracking and implementing into your daily operations? Be sure to comment and get the conversation started with the rest of the industry!

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4 Quick Tips for Sourcing Products for Your Cannabis Delivery

Choose wisely…the success of your cannabis business depends on it!

Let’s be honest here: picking products for your delivery service isn’t an easy task. Your cannabis delivery products can make or break your business. It goes beyond the monetary value that items can bring to your location and right into the ethos that your location represents.

Walking into a dispensary can be a daunting task for customers. The immense variety of products that are available for purchase can be overwhelming.  With new brands and products coming out every day, it Is important, now more than ever that the products you carry and where you source them fit your cannabis retail brand.

Source your products by using these steps!

1. Check the test results for your cannabis delivery products.

cannasafe coa

Example of CannaSafe’s Certificate of Analysis (COA). CannaSafe Analytics leads the industry’s laboratories with ISO accreditation.

Starting January 1, 2018 testing became mandatory for all cannabis products that are commercially sold. Using three phases to roll out new regulations, the BCC has given a solid chunk of time to brands for adjusting to the policies put in place and are looking to compete for marketshare. This means that there is no excuse for the lack of testing on any product that you’re looking to stock.

Cannabis testing provides the necessary information on present cannabinoid content, pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents.

As the government holds companies responsible for making sure their products are safe for customers, you should too! Running the risk of offering unsafe products on your shelves for the sole purpose of raising revenue is not worth the punishment.

Certificates of Analysis (COA) are another necessary piece of the puzzle. Double checking the way that a brand stores its COAs might be an indicative precursor to the type of relationship you will be able to maintain. Meaning that brands who fail to consistently provide these COAs shouldn’t be an option—no matter what their product is. Reputable sources of products should be at the top of your list as you flesh out your inventory.

Ask these questions about the test results for brands:

– Where was each product tested?

– Do you have the necessary COAs for each product?

– What was the date of the testing?

– Was remediation part of the manufacturing process?

Related: 4 Regulation Changes for Dispensaries in California

2. Get to know the story behind your cannabis delivery products.

lowell farms cannabis

Source: Lowell Herb Co. 

Companies want you to feel something and there’s no better way to do so than to have a backstory that encapsulates the driving force of brands.

Customers buy brands, not products. Few things make this more apparent than the recent shift in consumer attitudes towards cannabis. The days of giving credit to a dispensary for having the best flower, instead of the cultivator, are gone. The same can be said for just about any other category of product that can be found on your shelves.

Furthermore, the core values of a company can inspire individuals to feel empowered. A story drives the purpose for all decisions being made including the driving force for the inspiration behind getting into the industry to begin with! Getting an understanding of the core philosophical beliefs of a company gives you a competitive advantage in marketing the product to your customers. After all, our society pays attention to companies that practice good ethical standards.

Authentic stories create brand loyalty and brand loyalty creates revenue. They create an emotional response, connect to the customer, and force consumers to engage with values that a company holds. Laughs, smiles, and intrigued reactions retain customers—pay attention to the brands that do this with successful repetition.

Inquiry into the philosophy of a company puts your staff one step ahead of the consumer that asks questions such as where the product is grown, what the brand stands for, and the influential factor behind the packaging.

Check out these three questions to ask about a brand’s backstory:

– What are the company’s core values?

– What is the main target audience?

– Is there a fun fact that each customer should know about your product?

3. Compliant packaging matters.

atlas edibles

Atlas Edibles gives consumers insight on their website about the artists that design product packaging.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how much money you are making if the state comes into your location and realizes that you aren’t practicing a culture of compliance. Staying compliant with packaging is definitely a way to maintain your good standing with the BCC.

Here are some important questions to ask about the brand’s packaging:

– Is the product child-resistant?

– Is packing tamper-evident?

– Do the illustrations fall under compliant requirements?

– What’s the brand’s policy on sustainability?

– Is the Universal Cannabis Symbol for CA on each product?

– Where’s the general surgeon’s warning?

– Are the test results clearly marked?

Related: A Definitive Guide to Compliance – California Dispensaries

4. Ask for sales data & purchasing trends.

WebJoint’s first-to-market Brand Platform gives live analytics on sales made by retailer and product type.

You wouldn’t make an investment without knowing the ins and outs of what your future ROI might look like, would you? Didn’t think so! The world of cannabis is no different.

The numbers don’t lie. Brands that move a lot of product are a perfect target for a steady stream of income. Bringing in new products should be done with the intent of adding value to your business and a foolproof way of getting the “dirt” on brands is to ask for the hard numbers.

Reading sales reports before sourcing product can act as a way of providing insurance for your investment and give you an idea of how valuable a brand’s product could be to your businesses.

Analytics provide you with a sneak peek of what to expect in terms of profit and expected sales, meaning that you can focus your attention on stocking cannabis delivery products that are going to make you money!

Check out these questions to ask about sales data:

– What’s the average number of sales per product in 5 locations?

– What’s the top-selling product in your brand lineup?

– How frequently are locations placing additional orders?

– What’s the general availability of each product and how fast can we receive an order?

Comment below and sign up for our blog to keep up-to-date with major industry changes!

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The WebJoint Checklist for Newly Licensed Delivery Services

Get informed on CURRENT regulations.

The legal cannabis industry is no place for the faint of heart. California’s process for obtaining a license has proven to not only be difficult, but nearly impossible for entrepreneurs that have a lack of capital. This, along with many other factors has been a primary topic of conversation over the inaugural year of recreational cannabis sales. The other consistent topic of conversation relates to cannabis delivery service regulations. With public opinion playing a largely influential part in the revision of cannabis regulations, cannabis delivery services have an opportunity to capitalize on a massive opportunity. The BCC final regulations have been published, leaving no excuse for non-compliant behavior.

If you’re one of the lucky individuals who have the privilege of operating one of these businesses, you’ll want to make sure that you do the following in order to stay compliant and run a successful California cannabis delivery service.

Related: 7 Questions to Ask When Purchasing Software for Your Cannabis Delivery Service

Secure enterprise-level network capabilities.

Establishing an enterprise-level network is needed to effectively run a compliant cannabis delivery service. Via: Yegor Meteor, Dribbble.

Building out your wireless network infrastructure is a big part of establishing fluid day-to-day operations. Network bandwidth for wifi options should exceed minimum requirements to ensure that sales can be consistently handled. Residential wifi should be given a second thought as delivery service point-of-sale systems need to have a strong and established connection. This works twofold: a) cannabis software is oftentimes cloud-based, making it possible for sales to be made where there is internet and b) cannabis sales need to be reported to METRC as they happen.

To reduce the possibilities of there being costly errors in operations, enterprise-level bandwidth and wifi connectivity is a must-have. When considering the number of wireless items such as printers, computers, tablets, and cell phones that all connect to wifi and are used to keep important compliance documents, it is clear that this is a vital part of day-to-day operations. Slow internet could be the difference between satisfactory customer service which leads to consumer loyalty and disappointing hickups in operations.

Ask these questions when building out your wireless infrastructure:

– How many devices can connect to the wireless internet 

-What is the minimum bandwidth that is needed to run an operation successfully?

– Is there a possibility for scaling? If so, what internet will be needed at that point?

– When are sales going to be processed, how many, and how are these going to be reported to METRC?

Establish eCommerce & protect your business data.

Each WebJoint client receives an eCommerce website no matter the subscription that is chosen.

The advantages of having an eCommerce website far outweigh any costs that are associated with the development of a fully customized website. Today, eCommerce accounts for a large portion of sales that are made in almost all established industries. Having a website allows for online orders to be placed in an efficient manner while organizing your patient data in a singular database.

Patient data is an accumulation of years’ hard work and dedication to a craft of transparent business operations. Protecting this data is critical and should be at the forefront of nearly all conversations that pertain to eCommerce and business operations. Consider the options that are available to protect the data that you collect. WebJoint uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) as host servers with 256-bit encryption to provide optimal data safety.

Consider these questions to ask about eCommerce:

– Do I own my data?

– How is my business data protected?

– What is the guaranteed uptime of the servers my business infrastructure is on?

– Is my data used by a third-party to re-market to consumers?

Related: 6 Ways a Website Can Increase Sales for Your Cannabis Delivery Service

 

Automate delivery management.

Automatic delivery management for your cannabis delivery service can make a world of difference in the way that you process orders. Automatic dispatching cannabis software like WebJoint, gives you the ability to turn your delivery service into an uber-style business model. With features such as two-way communication between consumer and driver and live GPS tracking available on any wireless device, we effectively establish a new-standard level of transparency with your customers and the Bureau of Cannabis Control.

Paired with the WebJoint Fleet App, drivers and dispatchers alike can rest easy knowing their operation is efficient and compliant.

The only all-in-one solution for cannabis delivery services

WebJoint’s Integrations with Weedmaps, Cova, and others provide a dynamic cannabis software combination.

Proper establishment of your business infrastructure includes choosing a point-of-sale to process orders as they come in. Point-of-sale systems should be able to do more than just that and go right into managing inventory, processing payments, providing live METRC reporting, and automating delivery dispatch. WebJoint is the only point-of-sale for cannabis delivery services that offers an all-in-one suite and can send delivery service clients sales.

Hire an in-house compliance officer.

There’s no question that hiring an in-house compliance officer is a new standard for cannabis operators that look forward to long-term success. Compliance violations can total to immense amounts of losses and damage the ability to service delivery service clients. Violations come in a multiplicity of different shapes and levels of seriousness so establishing a solid foundation of compliance from the get-go is mandatory.

Compliance officers should be capable of adjusting day-to-day operations to fit the mold of requirements set forth in the BCC’s final regulations. This includes but is not limited to regulations regarding METRC reporting, inventory reconciliation, record retention, and delivery driver tracking.

Related: 5 Simple Compliance Violations Dispensaries Don’t Really Think About

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A Definitive Guide to Compliance — California Cannabis Dispensaries

Cannabis Retail Licensing

Cannabis Retail License Types:

  • M: Allows for the sale of cannabis products to those aged 18 or older.
  • A-U: Adult-use license types allow for the sale of cannabis products to adults ages 21 or older.
  • Combo: Allows for both consumer-types to be serviced by one location. The tax regulations pertaining to each consumer-type doesn’t change for those operating under a combination license.

Individuals interested in opening a delivery service must consider the two different licenses that are offered to the public by the BCC. These two license types are broken down into M (Medicinal) and A-U (Adult-Use) licenses.

Those with a class M license may service individuals that have a state-approved MMICP enrollment. MMICP allows for individuals ages 18 and older to engage in the purchasing of cannabis products from retailers without paying the sales & use tax. However, this does not meant that they are exempt from the 15% state excise tax.

A-U license holders may engage in the recreational sale of cannabis products to individuals that are aged 21 and older. These clients must pay the excise tax of 15%, local tax, and sales tax. They are not exempt from taxes in the way that MMICP holders are.

 

Annual License Fees

Associated fees to obtain a cannabis retail license in California.

The latest regulations do not require for the entirety of the annual license fee to be paid until a business license for the applicant has been approved. Moreover, the fees associated with annual licenses have changed and are now based on a tiered system that depends on the amount of estimated annual revenue that is to be made.

 

Zoning:

Regulations state that there mustn’t be a reticle location within 600 feet of a pre-existing school, child care center, youth center, or any location where kids are prevalent in presence. Schools are defined as being limited to that of children in grades 1-12, although kindergartens and pre-school should be considered to fall under this umbrella.

 

Modification of Premises

The modification of any premises must be recorded and submitted to the BCC. This includes, but is not limited to the modification of entryways in a building, relocation of doorways, and serious modifications such as wall creation or removal. To stay safe on and err on the side of caution, be sure to record all of the modifications and have professional diagrams which show the progression of these changes.

Note: The latest regulation changes require submission of a Notification and Request Form, BCC-LIC-027

 

Receiving Shipments

Shipping Manifests are required per BCC regulations.

To accept shipments, cannabis retailers can chose to accept the entirety of a shipment or choose to reject part of the delivery. Goods that are different from what is on the invoice, damaged, or fall under non-compliant practices can be rejected and must be recorded into the METRC system.

 

Staff Requirements

21+ employees only!

Employees of any given retail location must at least 21 years of age or older. Other requirements for staff include the need for an identification badge to be worn at all times by staff. Badges must include the business’ name, license number, first name & employee number, and a color picture of the employee that is at least 1in. wide x 1.5in. tall.

 

Hours of Operation

9am – 10pm are common business hours!

A storefront retailer, or dispensary, must be open no sooner than 6am and finish conducting business on any given day by 10pm. It’s common for retail locations to operate between 9am – 10pm.

 

Limited Access Areas

Limited access areas should be reserved for employees & approved partners.

Limited access areas are to be utilized by employees of any given location and any approved contractor. Customers are not permitted to have access to this area—period.

 

Alarm System

There’s a plethora of commercial-grade alarm companies to choose from.

Must be capable of alerting staff immediately. Alarm features such as motion sensors and audio devices should be considered!

Locks

Commercial-grade locks are required by law!

Must be commercial-grade and non-residential. This means that using a household lock will not fall under regulations. Common practice is to have multiple locks for entrances and exits.

 

Video Cameras

You can never have too many video cameras to protect your dispensary.

Cameras used to monitor the premises must do so 24 hours a day at a minimum of 15 frames per second with a time and date stamp. Cameras should produce an image of 1280×720 pixel quality and be installed in permanent locations which have a 20-foot clear line of sight of each entrance/exit. Perspectives of the cameras should be from both the interior and exterior of the building. Limited access areas must be capable of being sen in video recordings as well as locations where cannabis products are packed, stored, loaded and unloaded for transportation, prepared, or moved on the dispensary premises.

 

Storing Video Surveillance

Videos should be kept for a minimum of 90 days and be housed in a secure, tamper-proof device with the ability of being copied for the BCC at any point in time.

 

Inventory Reconciliation

Consider doing weekly inventory reconciliation to stay up-to-date with purchasing trends while avoiding dispensary and delivery service fines!

A 3% inventory reconciliation buffer of the average monthly sales is acceptable per BCC regulations. Inventory management must be assessed and completed once every 30 days, although regular reconciliation is recommended! Be sure to have backups of every document as BCC inspections may occur at any point.

DISCLAIMER: The materials made available in this resource guide are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your cannabis attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem!

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7 Questions to Ask When Purchasing Cannabis Delivery Software

Your Cannabis Delivery Software Eases Your Operations

If you own a delivery service, you need to protect your investment by adhering to the set of guidelines provided by the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC). One way of doing this is by selecting an adequate cannabis delivery software system that gives owners the ability to manage inventory in real time, track sales, and ensure that delivery drivers are located in an efficient manner.

In an industry where cash is (forcibly) king, POS systems can accurately keep a count on the amount of revenue being brought into your cannabis delivery service while holding management and drivers accountable. What’s more is that POS systems aid in streamlining the amount of manual work, resulting in a decreased probability in compliance violations. This gives you, as a delivery owner, the ability to focus on what’s important—sustaining cash flow and building solid relationships with your customers. Delivery drivers stay on the road longer while freeing up your time to enforce relationships with brands and potential customers.

With over 15 different POS companies offering cannabis software, choosing a single POS can be difficult, but it is important. Here’s 7 crucial questions to ask when shopping around for a POS to ensure you choose the best software for your cannabis business.

 

How is the cannabis delivery software keeping you compliant?

Source: METRC, Franwell

Is the cannabis delivery software METRC certified?

There’s no faster way to receive fines, have your license suspended, or completely lose your right to operate than by avoiding the important task of staying compliant with METRC. One aspect of staying compliant is fulfilling the mandatory METRC-integration. The POS system you choose must be capable of sending live reports for inventory adjustments, reconciliation, and your sales to keep you in good legal standing.

METRC is the state-mandated track-and-trace system that all business owners must report to. POS systems that don’t integrate with METRC should not be on your radar. One mistake with METRC reporting can land you in hot water with the BCC, threatening your business.

Without POS, manual reporting is time-consuming and can invite countless errors. Inventory management eases the pressure of maintaining your stock rooms. With pre-packaged cannabis goods adhering to new package and labeling regulations, it’s especially important to keep your packages in order. Packages left behind in stock rooms can negatively affect your overall income and skew inventory adjustments. Batches that stay in your inventory are potential money-makers being wasted and product that might be in demand; keep track of it with an automated POS.

Data doesn’t lie. Avoid inventory adjustment fines by choosing a POS system that automates reporting and provides you with the necessary reports. These include, but are not limited to: 14-day inventory reconciliation, sales breakdowns, and customer info reports. Think about it! No more CSV files for sales reports, customer data, or inventory.

Related: 3 Reasons Cannabis Delivery Services Fail to Retain Customers

 

Can you automatically dispatch deliveries?

WebJoint’s integration with Tookan gives California cannabis delivery services the tools they need to keep a culture of compliance.

 

What about tracking driver inventory with cannabis delivery software?

Maintaining a live ledger of the driver’s kit in real-time is not only a BCC regulation, but is an essential way of streamlining operations. What’s more is that your point-of-sale partner should be able to automatically dispatch orders to drivers as they are placed, resulting in no orders being missed and overall sales increasing on a day-to-day basis.

Delivery dispatch is also one aspect of the new-era cannabis industry that allows for convenience to take a front and center seat as things develop. Companies like Tookan enable businesses and consumers to have real-time communication with drivers while providing a platform that allows for deliveries to be tracked on-the-fly. This is an increase in safety while reinforcing that cannabis is moving in a legitimate direction. The result is cannabis delivery that looks and feels like a legitimate transaction while putting a consumer’s mind at ease!

Be sure to cover all aspects of your delivery service by choosing a POS that provides automated delivery dispatch and a live inventory ledger.

 

What do you do with my business and patient data?

WebJoint takes pride in protecting our client data and will never market to your consumer database.

You’re not marketing to my customers, are you?

Your data is a collection of years’ worth of accumulated reports and transactions. It’s valuable; not just to you, but also to your point-of-sale partner. It needs to be protected. Partnering with a POS that doesn’t utilize your data to their own advantage by marketing to your customers is incredibly important. Your data can be used to redirect marketing from POS systems and in-turn, cause your business to suffer by converting your customers to one of their own.

POS systems that stay under the radar, respect your data, and help you utilize it to your advantage are the easy no-brainer winners of the bunch. Be sure that your data is being kept within your business.

Storing your data isn’t only important for METRC reporting and integration, but also for sake of your own business records. Data storage comes down to 2 categories: cloud-based and local storage.

Cloud-based storage provides a virtual way of storing your records. Capable of being accessed from just about any internet-activated device, storing your files on a cloud offers a convenient method that gives you unlimited possibilities of access. Security for your delivery service files is another method of protecting your overall investment. Cloud-based storage is centralized on a virtual server which is hosted by external companies that make adding reports easy. Convenience takes a new approach by decreasing the amount of physical hardware needed to ensure the safety of your records.

The second method of saving data to consider when buying a POS is by using a standard, physical hard drive. Although not as convenient as being able to access your information from any location, physical hard drives allow for worries surrounding the volatility of virtual technology to dissipate. Being able to plug in your hard drive directly to your POS allows for physical storage and transfer of files to take place.

 

What is onboarding for the cannabis delivery software like?

Getting onto WebJoint’s point-of-sale is a fast & easy experience.

How easy is your POS to use for our employees?

A simple user experience not only saves time by streamlining commands, but also increases the rate at which you conduct business. Reducing time allows for your delivery drivers to make drop-offs quickly and efficiently. Customers can be impressed by a frictionless system which not only shows appreciation for their limit on daily time, but by being courteous in simplifying the purchase process.

Driver efficiency is key to customer satisfaction and provides an overall better customer experience.

Related: Using Data to Maximize Cannabis Delivery Service Efficiency

Drivers are the backbone to a delivery service and are the intermediary between customer cash and cannabis goods.  Friction equals more effort and more effort equals time lost. Reducing the amount of time it takes to process orders “on the go” creates a steady stream of income and places priority on what keeps you afloat—increasing sales.

Be sure that your POS system makes the best of your time and moves your business in a way that promotes improvement. Simple to use and easy to learn keeps the attention on helping customers and moving product.

 

E-Commerce and Online Ordering

Moxie 710’s eCommerce is built by WebJoint and can take orders directly from consumers.

The Power of E-Commerce

Maximizing your business’ potential by creating a simple-to-use e-commerce website that can take online orders is an asset to your business. Professionalization of your cannabis business will increase orders, generate additional revenue, and ultimately create delivery service loyalty.

Texting a delivery service to place orders not only makes your business look illegitimate but makes it a hassle for your customers to get what they want, when they want it. In an expedient world where just about everything takes place on a mobile device, tapping into this realm of business should be central to selecting a POS system.

Websites that are integrated directly with your menu items, product descriptions, and different categories of cannabis products are essential for delivery success. There’re fewer ways to make customer experiences more intuitive than to give them access to your full available menu. With a point-of-sale that processes mobile orders, delivery services can capitalize on marketshare.

Online consumption of goods and services takes your business to the next level and legitimizes your company while keeping the offering process to a minimum. Partner with an all-in-one point-of-sale that gives you this freedom!

 

How reliable is your point-of-sale?

Your point-of-sale should ease the pressure of daily operations.

Don’t lose time to problem-ridden software!

Few things are worse than dealing with unreliable software. Putting your business at risk with faulty hardware and “down time” to fix the issue is something that no business owner should have to deal with. Customer support is a huge part of point-of-sale system integration that should be considered. The purpose of using a point-of-sale is to make money, not lose it. Look out for faulty software that’ll waste your time and your customer’s.

Is your server secure enough to run your operation?

Server reliability is a mandatory asset of point-of-sale systems that needs to be closely examined. Your POS should be incredibly stable and be able to guarantee an “uptime” that can guarantee the success of your business. As a point-of-sale is your breadwinner and main method of reporting sales, tracking inventory, and managing staff, you can’t afford to deal with a broken system. Make sure your system is on a secure server such as Amazon Web Services that also encrypts your data to increase security and increase guaranteed “uptime.”

Hardware Selection

Maintaining records of your sales history is not only important for legal purposes, but also for reviewing your business’ reports.Your POS system should offer a simple and intuitive way of reviewing sales, tracking deliveries, and ensuring that inventory adjustment take place in an efficient manner.

Hardware that makes purchases easier includes, but is not limited to: barcode & ID scanners, tablets, and label printers. Be sure to choose a POS system that seamlessly integrates with hardware of your choice.

Sales Tracking

Revenue reports are a way to make sure your business is staying profitable. Tracking sales is by far one of the most important ways of tracking performance. Tracking sales performance by customer and the overall amount of income they bring to your business, can be a vital tool to assess inventory and adjust your options to the demand of customers.

Look for a POS that allows you to instantly access sales reports at the end of the day and influence your decision-making skills with the ultimate goal of maintaining a solid relationship with your customers.

Compliance Alerts

Daily limits on the amount of cannabis goods that can be sold to individuals can help keep compliance in order. POS systems that offer this have your best interest in mind. Other compliance alerts to consider are age verification, medical recommendation validation, hours of operation, and laboratory results.

Related: 4 Obligations of a California Cannabis Delivery Service Inventory Manager

 

What is the cost of your software?

Economic viability keeps you in business, right?

POS systems should make you money, not break the bank! Monthly payment structures or yearly payment plans are amongst the most common. Ideally, software should consistently work in your favor.

Aside from curating an enjoyable experience for your drivers and customers, your job as a delivery service owner is to generate revenue.

It’s no secret that an increase in revenue allows you to strategically expand your outreach.

POS systems don’t have to be outright expensive and they certainly shouldn’t add stress to your daily operations due to price. Consider options that don’t hurt your business, but instead want to be part of your success!

Free software like WebJoint’s, takes your best interest into consideration and works to make you money!

WebJoint takes pride in connecting the cannabis industry by offering software to delivery and dispensary owners alike. Generating revenue and curating a seamless experience for customer access to cannabis goods takes a top priority.

Simplifying the user experience and administrative duties such as reporting to METRC, tracking sales, and providing real-time delivery driver location, WebJoint is a frontrunner in available choices for POS systems.

 

Be Part of the Conversation!

What are some ways that point-of-sale systems have made running your business successful?

Comment below!

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