What Is a Dispensary?

A dispensary is a shop that sells medical marijuana. Dispensaries also provide information and advice about using cannabis. They are usually run by nurses.

Dispensaries are regulated by the OCM. The regulations include setback requirements. In addition, local zoning ordinances may restrict potential locations. These considerations are discussed in Section 7. A business plan should cover operations and a dispensary POS system.

Things to Buy

The products available at dispensaries are wide and varied, from tinctures and edibles to vape pens and dabbing accessories. Many dispensaries also offer a variety of cannabis-related merchandise and paraphernalia, such as lighters, ashtrays, and cannabis-themed jewelry. The items on sale at a particular dispensary can vary depending on the store’s owner and location.

For example, Brooklyn’s first Black woman-owned dispensary, Matawana, sells playful merch like slip-on shoes and dresses alongside their cannabis goods. The store also offers community engagement events and dining experiences, such as THC-infused couple massage classes. Its curated selection of leading cannabis brands includes Issavibe, Smokiez, and 1906.

To ensure your business is compliant with New York regulations, make sure to clearly communicate the prices of your products to customers in person and online. This requires displaying price tags or signs with each item’s individual cost, as well as a total cost on all menus (including online). In addition, your dispensary should be able to track and log visitor activity to stay compliant. Lastly, it is required to provide security cameras with an outside view of the facility, along with a perimeter alarm that alerts the Office if anyone approaches the exterior.

Things to Bring

Most dispensaries accept cash only, so make sure you have enough money before visiting. Some do offer ATMs inside the store, but it’s always good to check beforehand. Also keep in mind that prices listed are pre-tax, so you’ll have to pay a little more when you get to the counter.

Some local governments have requirements about how far a dispensary can be from schools, parks, and other sensitive areas. These rules usually take into account how much noise and traffic will be generated by the dispensary and whether the site plan complies with zoning regulations.

Dispensary owners should be aware of insurance requirements in their state. New York dispensaries must carry workers’ compensation and cyber security coverage, for example.

When opening a dispensary, create an all-star team of employees to handle customer service and other day-to-day operations. Hire employees and train them to understand and follow cannabis-specific laws, such as purchasing and displaying IDs, age restrictions, and background checks, as well as general hiring/staffing laws, including payroll taxes, at-will parameters, and more.

Menus

Whether you’re selling flower, edibles, concentrates or all of the above, strategically merchandising your product will enhance your customers’ experience and boost sales. Consumer psychology studies show that dispensary sales floor layout and product arrangement have a direct impact on sales.

Your operations section should cover how your dispensary will operate on a daily basis and include things like hours of operation, logistics, who is on staff and their roles, and technology your dispensary will utilize, such as a dispensary POS. Employee management SOPs should be included here as well, including how you will hire, train, onboard, review, promote and manage your team.

One of the most important parts of your operations section is your compliance section, which should outline how you will ensure that you and your staff are always 100% compliant with marijuana laws, like purchase limits. A good cannabis POS will help here by preventing budtenders from making sales outside of store hours, helping them monitor daily sales limits and inventory levels and storing reporting data according to regulatory requirements.

Security

As cannabis becomes legal, security measures at a dispensary are more important than ever. Robust dispensary security solutions provide a variety of benefits that protect business assets, ensure compliance with regulations, and safeguard inventory. However, security services are not all created equal — it’s important to vet hardware and software providers carefully to make sure they are equipped to handle the unique compliance and risk factors that cannabis businesses face.

Dispensary security solutions for the cannabis industry typically include CCTV cameras, alarm systems, motion sensors, glass-break detectors, and door/window sensors to send alerts in the event of a security breach. Remote access to these systems allow dispensary owners to monitor the premises 24/7 and take immediate action. Dispensary security services also include a panic button that can be activated to summon assistance from a team of security specialists or law enforcement.

In addition to security systems, many state and city dispensary laws require specific physical security measures to prevent unauthorized entry. This includes requiring secure storage areas, alarms that detect breaches during non-operational hours, and security doors or windows that cannot be opened from the outside.

The use of a security guard during operating hours is also an effective deterrent to crime and theft. The onsite presence of a guard can help to reassure customers and staff members that the dispensary is a safe environment, and can quickly respond to any concerns or aggressive behavior from guests or employees.

Digital infrastructure is essential to the day-to-day operations of a cannabis business, and often stores client information, manages inventory, functions as a point-of-sale system, and more. Protecting these vital systems against hackers requires a combination of multiple cyber controls, including multi-factor authentication and protocols for suspicious emails.

When purchasing cannabis products, clients want to know that their purchases are safe and legal. As a result, compliance with strict regulatory standards can help to build trust and attract conscientious buyers. For dispensary owners, this compliance can reduce the likelihood of hefty fines and license suspensions that may be incurred when violations occur. Additionally, adhering to these strict regulations can be a marketing asset for a cannabis brand, as it can distinguish it from competitors who do not adhere to the same level of compliance and security standards.

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