January 2019 - WebJoint

CannaSafe Updates WebJoint on Phase 3 Cannabis Testing in California

Posted on January 28, 2019February 17, 2022 by Jonathan Wigodsky

Founded in 2012 by Aaron Riley, CannaSafe has become one of the industry’s leading cannabis testing laboratories in the United States. CannaSafe received the first International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accreditation of any cannabis testing laboratory in 2017, setting the bar of expectations in the highest way possible. Cannabis regulations state that cannabis testing is mandatory for all products with the responsibility lying on distributors to have testing performed.

Cannabis testing entered the third and final phase of requirements on December 31, 2018 after two previous phases which tested for the presence of Category I & II residual solvents and pesticides. Other factors that are tested for include water activity, microbial impurities, and foreign material in cannabis samples. CannaSafe takes pride in being an industry thought-leader by utilizing two liquid chromatography tools to examine each sample brought in by their 700+ clients. Riley’s team continues to set the standard as a High Times Cannabis Cup Official Testing Lab Partner and has recently received accolades as DOPE Magazine’s Best Testing Facility at the SoCal Industry Awards.

“The California’s BCC 3rd Phase of required laboratory testing goes into effect on December 31st, 2018. This includes Terpenoids, Mycotoxins, Water Activity, and Heavy Metal screening. CannaSafe has been fully equipped and operational in Phase 3 testing since March of 2018.

The process of testing Heavy Metals starts with digestion. Whether it’s flower, edibles, distillate, or trim, we run it through a digester that completely breaks down the sample using strong acids, pressure and temperature. This allows the sample to be analyzed in our Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) instrument. Our Ultrawave system has the ability to digest multiple samples and matrices in one run, greatly increasing efficiency and turn-around time for our clients.

Per the BCC rules, we monitor for the big four metals in samples: Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead. These metals are commonly found in soil, and can leak from contaminated vaporizer cartridges, which can be extremely dangerous. CannaSafe’s main goal is ensuring consumer safety, and these instruments can detect any trace of metal in a sample down to the part per trillion level.

Terpenoids are analyzed and quantified using a gas chromatograph and either an FID detector (GC-FID) or an mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Terpenes are organic compounds produced mainly in plants and more than 100 terpenes have been identified in cannabis. They are responsible for the aromatic characteristics of the flower, giving it those distinct smells that we all enjoy. Since terpenes are volatile, they can be heated and the released gas measured against certified reference standards to quantity the relative concentrations in a sample. CannaSafe quantifies 21 of the most abundant terpenes found in cannabis and this analysis is not limited to flower; any sample matrix can be analyzed for terpene content.” – Ini Afia, Executive Lab Director at CannaSafe

Cannabis Compliance with Jordan Wellington from Simplifya

Posted on January 24, 2019November 21, 2023 by Jonathan Wigodsky

WebJoint had the privilege of interviewing Jordan Wellington, Co-founder and Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of Simplifya. Simplifya is a Denver-based compliance software tool for cannabis licensees. Simplifya aims to excel in the cannabis space by providing software solutions for the complicated navigation of regulatory practices. With a legal background, Jordan specializes in operational compliance and government relations, having previously advised government bodies on the pathway to legalization in states such as Colorado. Simplifya’s team aims to make compliance a breeze with an intuitive user experience that works in a similar fashion to checklists for cannabis operations.

What can you tell us about the origins of your interest in cannabis?

Jordan: Like many, I developed an interest in cannabis in college. I supported legalization and found cannabis policy interesting, but I never imagined I’d find a career in it. I accidentally fell into it after moving to Denver in 2012. I was working as a staffer for the House Majority Office at the Colorado General Assembly, and I was assigned to handle implementation of legalization following the passage of Amendment 64. I then worked for the Marijuana Enforcement Division in the Department of Revenue, where I worked on drafting the regulations governing the state’s adult-use and medical markets.

From there it was a pretty short jump into the cannabis industry to help businesses navigate all of those laws and regulations. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity.

Source: Simplifya

What is your opinion on cannabis compliance in California being propped up as the “poster child” for federal legalization of cannabis?

Jordan: I think California will have an incredible cannabis market, quality operators, and a tremendous influence, both nationally and internationally. From a regulatory perspective, the state has a long way to go to build an efficient marketplace. We saw tremendous market disruption and price fluctuation during the July 1, 2018 inventory transition, which could have easily been avoided through a more thoughtful policy approach. The state still hasn’t finalized its regulations and recently flip-flopped on a number of costly issues that require long lead times for businesses to adjust, such as packaging.

Things aren’t much better on the local level. Licensing delays have plagued some jurisdictions, while others have imposed substantial compliance burdens on operators. Additionally, we haven’t seen nearly as many cultivators join the regulated marketplace as we had hoped, which can likely be attributed to regulatory overreach and a burdensome licensing process at the state and local levels. At this point, California should not be looked at as a model of legalization or implementation, but hopefully, it will grow into that role as the system gets ironed out.

Can you discuss one aspect of cannabis compliance that is often overlooked by operators for each of the following categories?

Taxes: It’s not only critical that businesses pay their taxes, but also that they keep clear records to support any deductions that are made.

Cultivation: It’s really easy for cameras to become obstructed at a cultivation facility as plants mature and equipment is moved around.

Manufacturing: There’s so much documentation required at a manufacturing facility that folks can forget to record critical information as they go about their daily routines.

Distribution: There’s a lot of risk for distributors managing both ends of the supply chain and making sure they’re receiving and delivering products to compliant businesses with appropriate licensing.

Retailers: Staff training can be especially tricky for retailers because there is a tremendous amount of turnover at these facilities and the entire staff is in a compliance-sensitive role.

What do you find to be the most vital piece of cannabis compliance education that retailers lack knowledge on?

Jordan: I think retailers really struggle with answering some of the more difficult questions posed by consumers in a manner that doesn’t create risk for their company. Specifically, budtenders are frequently asked medical or legal questions that they are not technically or legally qualified to answer. These employees are just trying to be helpful and provide good customer service, but they can unintentionally create a lot of liability for themselves, employers, and the industry overall.

In terms of education, I think it’s critical to have clear standard operating procedures and staff trained to follow those procedures. There’s also value in having experts come and teach the staff, so they can ask questions and develop a better understanding of how to handle difficult situations with customers.

Can you speak to the value of hiring a dedicated compliance officer?

Jordan: Cannabis businesses that do not invest in compliance face significantly more risk because the government can issue fines and suspend or even revoke their licenses. Compliance issues in one jurisdiction can also lead to losing merit applications or even denial in other jurisdictions, even when the underlying violation doesn’t result in revocation. At the same time, we are seeing compliance obligations become increasingly burdensome and complex.

Cannabis businesses are reacting to these market conditions by increasing their investment into operational compliance and hiring new staff members solely dedicated to compliance. It’s a mark of our maturing and evolving industry, and it’s one that I think increases the chances of federal legalization and the end of prohibition.

Do you see Simplifya as being a software “substitute” for in-person compliance officers?

Source: Simplifya

Jordan: The vision behind Simplifya is to help support cannabis businesses of all sizes, whether they have a dedicated in-house compliance person or not. We provide all of our clients with the tools to run a compliant operation, helping to manage cannabis business licenses, standard operating procedures, documents, and self-assessments. Our team of regulatory experts ensures all of our content is accurate and up to date, so owners, managers, and employees can spend less time reading the rules and more time running their operations and making sure the rules are being followed.

For small businesses, we empower owners, managers, and employees to handle compliance obligations internally and reduce reliance on costly third-parties to address basic issues. For larger businesses with dedicated compliance staff, our integrated communication system and accountability features help maximize the efficiency of our clients’ compliance investments. I wouldn’t say our software is a substitute for a compliance officer, but I can confidently say it will help make any business operate more compliantly and efficient, whether they have a compliance officer or not.

How does Simplifya ensure that the software is fully compliant with each of the regulation sets in “green” states around the country?

Jordan: We have a dedicated team of in-house cannabis regulatory experts that constantly review regulations across the country to make sure our content is accurate. They are attorneys and policy nerds who spend all day, every day tracking regulatory changes and boiling them down into simple instructions for cannabis businesses to follow.

Where do you see Simplifya making the largest impact with respect to cannabis compliance education?

Source: Simplifya

Jordan: We have a tremendous impact on the industry by helping to mitigate risk for our clients. Our software is designed to address many areas of compliance, so our impact isn’t tied to any one compliance problem or issue. Instead, we help cannabis businesses across the board by teaching compliant operations and helping to hold staff accountable for their compliance obligations. In doing so, we provide business owners with peace of mind in one of the world’s most highly regulated industries.

Is compliance a regulatory practice? Is there something you can speak on about compliance that isn’t commonly discussed?

Jordan: I never think of compliance as a regulatory practice. To me, it’s a critical component of business operations that need to be thread through every aspect of a company. Compliance isn’t just about following rules — it is about risk mitigation, protecting your investment, and increasing the value of your company. In other words, compliance is about business. Simplifya serves as the industry’s CarFax report, showing investors and buyers that a company is a safe investment and that they aren’t buying a lemon.

Can you tell us about 3 things that get you excited for the future of the industry?

Jordan: Above all, I’m excited that my son will grow up in a post-prohibition world and will only learn about cannabis prohibition through history books. I’m also incredibly excited to continue to build our understanding of the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant and tear down the stigmas associated with the cannabis community. Finally, I’m excited about the expansion of social use laws that allow adults to consume cannabis in a social environment similar to how adults are allowed to consume alcohol. In other words, I’m excited to eventually be able to legally consume cannabis during a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater here in Colorado.

What are 3 concerns that you have as the industry moves forward?

Jordan: I’m concerned the current pathway for legalization will leave behind many of the people who have long risked their freedom and safety to provide cannabis to consumers. Whether it’s limited licenses on the East Coast or the nonsensical, byzantine application process in California, too many people are being left behind that could be welcomed into our industry and build great companies. I’m also concerned about pockets of cannabis bias within governments and local communities dampening the progress we’ve made in ways that don’t get headlines, such as problems with child protective services.

Give us your “Top 3 Best Practices” in order to succeed as a cannabis delivery operator.

Jordan:

1. Hire a Great Manager. Employees always adopt their managers perspective on compliance, so find someone who cares about compliance and protecting your license.

2. Sweat the Small Stuff. Regulators operate on an iceberg theory of compliance. If they see minor violations at your facility, they will wonder what else is hiding underneath the surface and start a disruptive investigation.

3. Don’t Just Teach It, Test It. It’s not enough to just train your staff, you need to hold them accountable by confirming that your staff is following through with what they’ve been taught.

Any last comments for those looking to get into the cannabis space?

Jordan: Working in the cannabis industry is unlike any other industry in the world these days. It’s the responsibility of every member of the cannabis industry to act in a manner that propels legalization forward and helps to change the world for the better.

Responsibilities as a California Cannabis Retail Business Owner

Posted on January 18, 2019February 17, 2022 by Jonathan Wigodsky

Being a cannabis retail business owner in any industry comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility—the safety of your employees and customers, proper legal compliance, and facilitating a space that has a purpose are among a few to mention. The cannabis industry is no different and your responsibilities as a cannabis business owner actually increase due to the simple fact that cannabis is a heavily regulated substance, whether or not people use it for medical benefits or recreationally.

More than that, cannabis retail has its own track record of negative connotations and it’s been a battle to get to the point we’re at currently. From being a Schedule I drug to being used in medical applications around the world, cannabis has been and continues to go through it all.

Owning a cannabis retail business that handles product means that these responsibilities lie in keeping forward progress at the forefront of why you’re in the industry. It means that a focus on monetary value not only destroys the potential for advancement in a social setting, but in a medical setting by reinforcing positions against cannabis. More though, it means that you ought to take culture into consideration and examine those that are affected by what you are seeking to accomplish in this industry.

WebJoint’s team breaks the stigma by hosting networking events and connecting the cannabis industry!

Negative connotations which stemmed from the Reefer Madness era are constantly being challenged and making an active attempt to engage in dialogue that flips the script is undoubtedly important. Taking pride in the industry that you work in and being the conversation starter to break that stigma and educate consumers—new or old—is a duty that business owners should take seriously.

This is to say that as a cannabis retail business owner, you are part of a community that is fighting an uphill battle—and we all can use as much help as we can get.

Be patient and take the time to educate newcomers or those of opposing viewpoints that cannabis has a lot to offer. Mentioning the legitimization of the industry through check and balances systems put in place such as METRC integration, testing procedures, and the research that is being completed helps paint a picture of the realistic situation in the industry.

As an owner of a company in the industry, it’s pivotal to be able to converse with fellow businesses owners, potential employees, and consumers to push the cannabis industry forward. It means networking should be a priority so as to work collectively and contribute to an overall positive cannabis experience.

Point consumers in a direction that contributes to an overall positive cannabis retail experience, without frustration (though it can be difficult). For some, this is done simply by extending an invitation to your location for a tour. For others, it’s by providing resources that individuals can grasp for on their own time such as product information brochures and graphic pamphlets.

Everyday conversations are going to make this industry succeed and in-turn make you succeed.

Source: SWC Dispensary by Basile Studio

Prior to legalization, dispensaries have historically been seen as dirty, unprofessional, “pot shops” that have nothing positive to offer to the public. Locations with rod-iron bars, dark windows that sport the typical green “stoner” cross, and improper check-in techniques do nothing but reinforce this narrative. This script, although fading slightly in younger generations, is still alive and well in various parts of the country.

As an owner, aiming to flip the script and take the lead in promoting a new narrative should be a top priority. Creating an inviting environment that aims to impress your customers at first sight is a sure fire way of being able to participate in an overall positive experience.

Simple aesthetic upgrades to your dispensary such as clean furniture to relax on in the lobby, inviting color schemes, and well-lit displays that are organized with intent can be the difference between making a positive impact and losing a customer before they can look around. This goes for the brands that you carry as well.

Adhering to new regulations such as enforcing employee badges adds a subtle, but effective way of welcoming consumers.

But that’s not everything—your staff needs to be top-notch too!

Not only should your employees strive to be the best, but they should certainly look and act like it! Responsibilities in training your staff properly on available products and new technology will help you separate from the illicit market that cannabis is oftentimes paired with. This includes online ordering (if available) and the advantages of using software to increase efficiency. Providing your staff with knowledge in biological subjects they need to answer questions about things such as terpenes, grow techniques, and various strains is critical.

It’s rare that your budtender or a first-time customer knows everything about cannabis other than what they have heard or been told, but everyday creates an opportunity to expand a knowledge base. Encounters with customers should be seen as an opportunity for your budtenders to either teach or learn something new at the end of each day.

Promoting ethics that takes something positive away from every transaction and creates an overall positive impression is oftentimes a priority that is overlooked if focusing solely on the monetary value that your business has.

And this is where curating an experience for your customers can make a world of difference—don’t miss this subtle, yet effective way of engaging consumers.

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

There’s no worse way to put your license at risk in this industry than to ignore compliance. Not only does this put your business at risk, but it in-turn promotes a negative narrative which has been losing traction in recent times. An active effort to legitimize this industry, put a professional face to it, and knock the overarching stigmas that have been associated with cannabis use for generations is a central part to being a businesses owner.

Proper training on a cannabis retail point-of-sale. which incorporates inventory management facilitates a simple, yet effective way of maintaining compliance. As a team, the ability to leave lasting impressions as a compliant and professional business can take your business far!

Social media outreach plays into this line of thought as well. Think about some ways that your business can utilize social media to promote responsible consumption instead of overconsumption.

Chris, CEO & Hilart, COO at the inaugural California Cannabis Awards hosted by WebJoint.

If your answer the above question is “I don’t,” then what exactly are you doing? This isn’t to say that a large portion of proceeds ought to be distributed to any singular organization, but urges you to look at yourself as a part of your surrounding community. It is to say that as a business owner, selflessness with respect to the community can provide priceless benefits.

The state of California is not only a recreationally legal state but is a state where local jurisdictions hold the power to outlaw cannabis. Citing concerns for the safety of children, disrespect for the community, and potential increase in crime, local communities oftentimes feel like they will be left out of the big picture.

We would argue that one essential method of breaking this barrier is to show your worth to the surrounding environment by giving back to the community. Monetary donations for outreach programs, playgrounds, basic donation of school supplies, and participating in all local government activities plays out in two ways:

I. It brings the community a source of engagement with a cannabis organization in an ancillary manner, thus not violating regulations for age restrictions and zoning requirements.

II. Giving back to the community helps steer the conversation in a way that centralizes the professionalization of the cannabis industry while highlighting an important part of ethics with respect to social equity.

WebJoint’s Integrations with Tookan, Zodaka, and Xero provide a dynamic cannabis software solution for cannabis businesses.

Although cannabis culture has a lot to offer to patients in need and individuals looking to utilize cannabis to positively influence their lifestyle, it is also home to responsibilities as a business owner. Accepting responsibility and critically thinking about the wholesome meaning of your role in the industry is simply a task that cannot be ignored.

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4 Quick Tips for Sourcing Products for Your Cannabis Delivery

Posted on January 17, 2019February 17, 2022 by Jonathan Wigodsky

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!

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?

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?

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?

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?

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The WebJoint Checklist for Newly Licensed Delivery Services

Posted on January 17, 2019February 17, 2022 by Jonathan Wigodsky

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

The Ins and Outs of METRC in California

Posted on January 17, 2019November 21, 2023 by Jonathan Wigodsky

METRC is the reporting regulation system for California Cannabis Track-and-Trace (CCTT). Tracking products from seed-to-sale creates a lineage, or footprint, for each cannabis activity that a cannabis product experiences. What this means is that each plant is required to have its own unique identifier -or- barcode. It also means that products are able to be tracked from one end of the supply chain to the other (seed-to-sale). METRC is currently used in 11 states including the hemp farming that takes place in Colorado.

As a business owner in the state of California, you’ve recently undergone a significant amount of change. Let’s be honest here: adapting to change is not only difficult, but increases your overall operating costs.

This may seem like another roadblock that gets in the way of traditionally running an operation and conducting business like you “used to,” but there are lots of positives to the state-mandated use of METRC that will be seen as adjustments are made.

In an industry that has kept to the shadows for generations and is now reaching the mainstream media, a standardization process allows for legal licensees to separate themselves from an illicit and potentially dangerous underground market. The result is the elimination of the negative stigma that cannabis carries with it.

Think of METRC as the filing cabinet for cannabis products that you’ve never had. The products themselves are the actual files which need to be kept in order. This gives businesses statistics in real-time that can actually influence your financial projections and aid in the way in which you organize your business activities.

Traditionally, filing cabinets are used to organize your most important documents with the intention of being able to access data for the respective subject.

Each file needs a way of being organized so as to easily correlate with records and in-turn create a list of matching serial numbers for products.

This concept is carried over to the cannabis industry and provides a critically important way of legitimizing the industry’s inventory overall. More importantly, METRC can help you, as as business owner, stay compliant and increase organization which in-turn results in the ability to process more orders and avoid fines.

Seeds, clones, and flowering plants are tagged at the beginning of their life cycle. At the time of harvest, all waste and changes that the plants undergo is recorded. As plant material is then sent to manufacturers, each is scanned again to give real-time data on their current and previous locations. From manufacturers to distributors, cannabis goods are scanned and then again from distributors to the testing facilities before being returned for distribution to retail locations.

All testing results are uploaded to METRC, which then allows for the entire lifespan of the product to be traced as it is moved to or sold from a retail location to the end consumer.

Not only does METRC help in keeping licensed businesses honest, but it actively promotes the integrity of the industry as a whole by allowing employees access to any and all information on products you carry. This legitimizes the industry while taking into account the safety of consumers.

You might be thinking about the way that METRC keeps track of each product in order to keep an accurate ledger across the state so let’s take a little bit of time to explain the way that this system keeps records:

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): A barcode that holds numerical value and stores data for individual or batches of plants. Think of this as any barcode that you’ve seen on common items. This maintains the integrity of cultivation operations by keeping data that is immediately accessible on immature cannabis plants, teens, and mature plants that are flowering prior to harvest.

Unique Identifier (UID/UDID): This tag is put onto plants which are then organized by lots of up to 100 plants per lot. If there is a combination of cannabis goods, they each get combined and put into the same package which can then be traced throughout the entirety of the lifespan of that product.

Package Tag: Intended to be placed on each package that is carried en-route to and from locations. Examples of this might be batches of flower sent to a retailer to be sold or edibles which have been manufactured and are ready for testing, prior to distribution. The tags to be used when transporting plants or cannabis goods. This tag can be placed on containers for retail locations which are scanned at the time of sale, aiding in proper METRC technique.

METRC’s RFID Package Tag
Source: METRC

Plant Identification Numbers: Serial numbers used to keep a linear record of products. Having a serial number on each product allows for an accurate numerical record to be kept. This enables the track record of a product to be kept from start to finish. Guessing inventory quantity or using square footage to estimate the amount of canopy space is eliminated with a sequential manner of keeping records. All cannabis products fall under this linear organization. Lot tags state the facility name at the top with a license number directly beneath it. On the side of the tag is a categorization of either Adult-Use or Medical as well as the date that the tag was created. At the bottom, is a Plant ID number, or, serial number.

METRC’s Plant Tag
Source: METRC

Source: GCN

As a cultivator, the task of METRC-integration may seem extremely tedious, especially when considering the size that a canopy has the potential of growing to. Your concerns may be eased when being told that RFID scanning won’t disturb plants as they grow and can be scanned form upwards of 15 feet away. This means that in theory—seeds, clones, and mature plants won’t need to be disturbed for the sole reason of reporting to METRC.

From seed to clone & harvest to trimming, all information is now going to be kept. Inclusive of this is the transfer of plants from one location to the other, the amount of waste that a cultivator produces, the destruction of plants due to various reasons, and finally, testing results when the plant material is manufactured. Accountability is central with METRC and nothing illustrates this more than the ability to trace products all along the supply chain, back to the origin.

As it stands, METRC integration is a looming part of this industry that truly requires a lot of attention for retail and delivery service owners. Temporary licensees do not need to integrate with METRC and instead, will wait until they receive a permanent license.

True integration begins when a permanent license is granted to any given dispensary or delivery service. From the time that you receive a permanent license, METRC training begins—and it’s no easy task.

METRC requires that all sales be reported at the end fo each day with an inventory reconciliation taking place once every 30 days. As previously explained, METRC tracks each and every product along the entirety of it’s lifespan in the supply chain. Retailers that fail to report to METRC are simply operating in a non-compliant manner.

It’s a race against the clock!

Requiring that METRC training is completed within 5 days of the issuance of a permanent license means that managerial staff and/or owners must complete the entirety of training sessions provided to them by the state.

5 days for completing the METRC certification may not seem like a lot of time to absorb information that is at the core of avoiding fines and keeping your license in good standing by being compliant; and it isn’t.

Considering that a 30-day window for full METRC integration of current inventory starts at the same time as the certifications for staff members, the race against the clock is on!

The 30-day framework mandates that all inventory be uploaded to METRC using the above UID numbers. More specifically, current inventory that is in progress of being uploaded to the database is accepted and anything outside of this, must have trace information from the time that it is a seed.

In short, you have 5 days to complete METRC certification and 30 days to upload all information of current inventory once you receive a permanent license. After those 30 days, all METRC-required information must start at the seed or clone stage of CCTT—meaning that your physical, POS, and CCTT information must match.

Each and every sale that is made is technically called a “change of custody,” requiring that a new report to the state’s system must be made. This includes purchases from distributors, records for certificates of analysis (COA), distributor license numbers, shipping manifests, and request receipts.

Hiring an employee that solely focuses on METRC reporting and integration is an excellent way of being sure that you maintain a culture of compliance. This new door will not only allow individuals to enter the industry, but aid in maintaining the integrity of your business.

Uploading CSV files or manually importing data at the end of every day is not only time consuming, but provides a large margin for error.

Having an in-house compliance expert ensures that fines are avoided and that audits are maintained on a regular basis. The new standard of hiring a compliance expert goes deeper than that—it means that the entirety of your staff ought to be trained and understand the proper standard operating procedures (SOP) of your business. After all, you’re responsible for explaining mistakes made to the state should there be any discrepancy.

Mindfulness of the available products is one aspect of METRC-integration that shines in a positive way. The ability to track the origins of plants and products overall helps legitimize the industry. The creation of a standard for the industry as a whole is vital to breaking barriers and giving individuals access to a substance that has tremendous benefits.

This standard also paves the way for ensuring that cannabis goods are safe to consume—something that we ought to take into consideration for all customers—new & experienced.

METRC is an adjustment for everyone in the California marketplace right now. Guessing the number of plants that you have as a cultivator is no longer acceptable and for retail owners, simply keeping a paper ledger for your business is outdated.

And although METRC integration may feel like an unnecessary way of keeping track of products, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Some of the positives include, but are not limited to: increased reliability and safety for consumers as the result of tracing products from seed-to-sale, the organization of sale ledgers as the result of an electronic database, and on-the-spot projections for products you sell to consumers. The latter allows for you to maximize profitability by offering what is in demand.

5 Ways to Kill Your California Cannabis Business

Posted on January 15, 2019February 17, 2022 by Jonathan Wigodsky

Being successful in any business comes down to establishing Standard Operating Procedures and daily practices that put you in a primary position to succeed. There are similar echoes in the cannabis industry, but as a business that deals with a Schedule I Substance, the regulations to stick by are incredibly stringent. The competition in the industry is heating up at a rate that nearly no other industry has experienced, forcing there to be a bit of a learning curve for everyone involved. Standing out against the rest of the retail businesses that offer the same products you do, comes down to being able to successfully engage and retain your customers.

Let’s check out 5 business practices that are sure to kill your cannabis retail location!

via Giphy

Following the BCC proposed set of regulations is no easy task for any cannabis business and requires a tremendous amount of effort. If you think that you are in a position to operate a dispensary and operate as lead compliance officer, I’ve got some bad news for you—it’s a lot harder than it sounds. Understanding each aspect of the regulations should be a collective effort as a location and with the aid of a designated compliance officer. Taking the effort to hire a compliance officer is not only pertinent to the success of your business, but also to legally operating within the regulated cannabis industry.

Operating with a non-compliant attitude can result in fines, days lost due to suspension of your license, or entire revocation of your right to operate a cannabis retail location.

Compliance issues range in severity from simple things like lacking name tags & selling the last of a display item, to the distribution of cannabis to an underage person and lacking the appropriate licensure. Our Definitive Guide to California Cannabis Laws covers all of the necessary aspects of licensing and regulations for staying compliant.

A sleek & intuitive back-end makes inventory management a breeze!

Inventory management is a key part of operating a successful retail location. Not only is your business at-risk for compliance issues without proper organization, it’s subject to severe loss of profit if your stock isn’t kept up-to-date. Make sure that you re doing inventory reconciliation once every 30 days at a minimum.

Your customers enter your location expecting to purchase their favorite brand’s items. It’s not uncommon for your customers to settle on a second choice option should the situation permit, but the point is that you shouldn’t need to have a second choice! Your stock should reflect the amount of business that your retail location experiences on a daily basis.

Using the data that your point of sale system provides you with can provide a foolproof method of making sure that you are up-to-date on what is flying off the shelves! Convert the maximum amount of sales by keeping your inventory up-to-date.

Streamlining the way that your business operates is critical for two reasons—it reduces the overall cost of operations and keeps your staff on the same page across the board. Being able to eliminate the need for service hopping by consolidating operate service providers for your website, point-of-sale, inventory management system, and compliance reports puts your retail location in the best position possible for success.

Having a service provider for each of aspect of your business not only complicates the process for organizing your business, it actually costs you more money than having a “one size fits all” software solution for your retail location.

Eliminate service hopping, save money, and streamline operations with a point-of-sale that offers e-commerce, inventory management, and compliance reports.

Not using Instagram to market your brand or retail location? You’re losing—there’s no other way to put it. We can’t stress this enough; in order to be successful and maximize the potential for converting sales, you need to have a social media presence. With over 1 billion active users, Instagram has made a name for itself as the mobile platform.

Instagram is a subsidiary of the largest social media platform in existence, Facebook. See where this is going?

Branding your business in a way that is capable of being disseminated across social media platforms gives you an advantage. With roughly 80% of adults in North America using social media platforms, it’s easy to see how you’re losing potential revenue by not tapping into this exponential audience.

B2C relations are important and all, but what about social media being used with B2B in mind? Enter LinkedIn. LinkedIn has established itself as a professional networking platform. With the ability to effectively be a conversation-starter between cannabis professionals, using this platform in conjunction with Instagram is a no-brainer.

Did I mention that LinkedIn hasn’t restricted cannabis professionals from networking or brands from posting on their sites? Unlike Instagram and Facebook, who have tricky algorithms to navigate in order to keep an active account, LinkedIn has made it clear that their priority is connecting professionals from a variety of industries. After all, we’re all on the same team, right?

Customer satisfaction is the driving force behind successful business operations. And in a space where competition has saturated the market, you’re going to want to make sure that your customer service is top-notch. This begins with your budtenders and goes as far as curating an experience that your customers won’t forget. For additional ideas, check out how loyalty programs work to your advantage.

Ignoring the small factors that keep customers coming back such as developing a solid relationship with them and listening to their needs is sure to keep customers from choosing your dispensary over the one next door. If your location operates solely as a dispensary that converts sales, rather than offering value in the form of experience, you’re not providing the best customer service possible.

No one wants to watch their business fail and those that don’t implement best practices are going to have no choice but to witness the downfall of their business. Keeping a culture of compliance, consolidating the services you use, taking advantage of social media audiences, and provide your customers with an experience to remember are all ways that you can be proactive in fostering progressive growth for your business.

Stay on top of it and claim your stake as a main competitor in this industry. What are you doing in your locations to make sure that your business can be as successful as possible?

Comment below!

Setting the Bar for Cannabis Testing

What can you tell us about the origins of your interest in cannabis?

What is your opinion on cannabis compliance in California being propped up as the “poster child” for federal legalization of cannabis?

Can you discuss one aspect of cannabis compliance that is often overlooked by operators for each of the following categories?

What do you find to be the most vital piece of cannabis compliance education that retailers lack knowledge on?

Can you speak to the value of hiring a dedicated compliance officer?

Do you see Simplifya as being a software “substitute” for in-person compliance officers?

How does Simplifya ensure that the software is fully compliant with each of the regulation sets in “green” states around the country?

Where do you see Simplifya making the largest impact with respect to cannabis compliance education?

Is compliance a regulatory practice? Is there something you can speak on about compliance that isn’t commonly discussed?

Can you tell us about 3 things that get you excited for the future of the industry?

What are 3 concerns that you have as the industry moves forward?

Give us your “Top 3 Best Practices” in order to succeed as a cannabis delivery operator.

Any last comments for those looking to get into the cannabis space?

Does the “green rush” really exist?

Break the stigma with everyday conversations.

Maintain a professional aesthetic in your cannabis retail operation.

Did someone say compliance?

How do you give back to the community?

Set the bar, be the example, and crush it!

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

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

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

3. Compliant packaging matters.

4. Ask for sales data & purchasing trends.

Get informed on CURRENT regulations.

Secure enterprise-level network capabilities.

Establish eCommerce & protect your business data.

Automate delivery management.

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

Hire an in-house compliance officer.

What is METRC?

METRC as a Filing Cabinet

What tags are used with METRC?

METRC for Cultivators

METRC for Retailers

Hiring a compliance officer is the new standard.

How does this benefit consumers?

METRC changes the legitimacy of cannabis operations

1. Ignorance and arrogance to compliance

2. Failing to manage inventory efficiently

3. Service hopping from one platform to another

4. Poorly using social media

5. Not prioritizing customer service

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