Cannabis Dispensaries in 2021: The Top 4 Compliance Oversights
#1 – NoSeed-to-Sale Tracking System & Failure to Accurately Report Inventory/Sales
Most states require retail cannabis dispensaries to comply with seed-to-sale tracking and reporting. Reporting inventory and sales figures is required for retail operations in most states, and failing to comply will result in a costly violation.
#2 – Uneducated Budtenders & Negligent Daily Sales Limit Enforcement
Each state has specific daily purchase limits for customers buying cannabis and cannabis-related products from your dispensary. It’s important to educate your budtenders on the different purchase limits, how to properly calculate transactions at the time of sale, and knowing when a customer has met/exceeded their daily limit.
#3 – Failure to Check for Identification of Dispensary Customers
As a dispensary owner, you understand the importance of validating the age of your customers. However, you can’t always be at the cash register checking identifications. All too often, budtenders get busy and may unknowingly overlook validating a customer’s age—a serious compliance violation. In fact, selling to minors has become such a big problem that the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) has begun sending minors into dispensaries as decoys to ensure compliance.
#4 -Noncompliance with State-Specific Cannabis Delivery Regulations
If your cannabis dispensary offers delivery, your couriers must be at least 21 years of age, have a valid driver’s license and carry a copy of your business license in their vehicle. All vehicle documentation—VIN, license plate number and registration—must be submitted to the BCC prior to making deliveries. In addition, drivers are not permitted to carry more than $3000 worth of product in their vehicle at any onetime.
It’s important to note that regulations may differ depending on the state in which your business operates- (For example: in California, the delivery vehicle must also be equipped with a permanent or temporary GPS device owned by the dispensary).
As a cannabis industry specialist, I can help you stay informed on key coverages to protect your dispensary. If you have any questions related to your coverage, please contact me at ctobin@boltonco.comor 626-703-1556.