Cannabis Delivery 101: The Do’s and Don’ts Every Dispensary Needs to Know

Times are changing, and the way customers get their cannabis is changing, too.⏳

Gone is the time when people were waiting in line at a dispensary.🙄

Today’s consumers crave convenience, and this shift has led to the rise of cannabis delivery services, which offer a more streamlined experience for busy consumers. According to investopedia.com, the cannabis industry is growing rapidly, with global sales expected to reach nearly $149 billion by 2031. 

But with this opportunity comes new challenges. 

What are those challenges, and how can you face them? 

To help you with this, we have created a blog that delves into the essential “do’s and don’ts” of cannabis delivery. This blog helps dispensaries stay compliant, optimize their operations, and deliver a service that keeps customers returning for more.

What is Cannabis Delivery?

Cannabis delivery refers to the process of transporting cannabis products directly to customers’ doors, making it easy and convenient for them. It operates within legal frameworks, adhering to regulatory requirements for safe and legal distribution. It is typically managed by licensed dispensaries or specialized delivery services.

The Dos of Cannabis Delivery

Successful delivery depends on following important guidelines to maintain efficiency and gain customer trust. The cannabis delivery best practices include:

1. Do your research

Conducting thorough research is crucial before launching a cannabis delivery service. Local and statewide regulations vary widely, impacting everything from licensing requirements to permissible delivery areas and hours. Therefore, understanding these regulations is essential to avoid legal pitfalls and ensure compliance.

For example, in California, dispensaries must adhere to strict delivery zone regulations outlined by the Bureau of Cannabis Control to operate legally.

2. Start small

Starting with a manageable scale allows dispensaries to refine their delivery operations and ensure adherence to regulatory standards before expanding. This approach enabled them to fine-tune logistics, optimize delivery routes, and build a loyal customer base without compromising compliance.

3. Hire good drivers

Hiring a professional delivery person is important, as they represent the brand during deliveries. Some essential criteria are background checks, ongoing customer service and compliance training, and maintaining a clean driving record. Weedmaps, a leading marketplace for delivering weed, emphasizes driver professionalism for trust and compliance, ensuring reliable service and positive customer experiences.  

4. Create standard operating procedures

Establishing clear SOPs ensures consistency and efficiency in cannabis delivery operations. SOPs should cover order processing, inventory optimization, driver protocols, and compliance checks. These templates streamline operations and maintain compliance across their delivery services.   

5. Scale your business

Gradual scaling is crucial to maintaining service quality and compliance as the business grows. Also, companies like LeafLink advise many dispensaries to use data analytics to assess market demand and operational capacity before expanding delivery services to new regions or increasing delivery volume.

6. Stay compliant with regulations

Monitoring statewide regulations is essential to avoid legal issues and ensure smooth operations. Regulatory bodies often update cannabis delivery rules, requiring continuous compliance audits and adjustments. For example, Leafly, a cannabis information resource, provides regular updates on changes in cannabis laws to help dispensaries stay compliant.

Going ahead, let us find out the don’ts of cannabis delivery, especially for recreational and medical sales.

The Don’ts of Cannabis Delivery

Knowing what mistakes to avoid in cannabis delivery is crucial for managing regulations and improving customer service. Here’s what to avoid:

1. Don’t assume cannabis delivery is legal everywhere 

Never assume cannabis delivery is legal everywhere. Thoroughly research and verify local and statewide regulations before initiating delivery services. Many states have varying rules, leading to legal complications if not adhered to properly. 

For instance, states like Colorado and Washington have specific laws governing cannabis delivery, requiring dispensaries to obtain appropriate licenses and adhere to strict operational guidelines.

2. Don’t overextend your cannabis delivery

Avoid rapid expansion without ensuring scalability. Overextending your cannabis delivery operations can stretch resources thin and compromise service quality. A phased growth approach allows you to manage expansion effectively, meeting demand while maintaining high standards of service and compliance.  

3. Don’t hire too many drivers

Hire drivers based on demand forecasts to maintain delivery efficiency and minimize costs. Overstaffing can lead to underutilized drivers and increased operational expenses. Moreover, utilizes data analytics to forecast delivery demand accurately and optimize driver schedules accordingly.

4. Don’t make compliance mistakes

Prioritize adherence to regulatory requirements to avoid fines, penalties, or legal consequences. Utilize platforms like Flowhub, a cannabis compliance and inventory management solution, to automate compliance checks and ensure regulation adherence.

5. Don’t fail to grow

Continuous assessment of market demand and operational capacity is essential for strategic growth. This data-driven approach supports informed decision-making and strategic expansion, ensuring dispensaries scale operations effectively while meeting customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

6. Don’t break the rules

Strict adherence to delivery regulations is crucial for maintaining business integrity and long-term success. Violations of regulations can damage your reputation and even lead to legal consequences. So, consider having a dedicated compliance team guide you through the regulatory complexities.

Now that we know cannabis dispensary etiquette let’s learn how to excel in cannabis delivery operations.

How to Master Cannabis Delivery Operations?

To excel in cannabis delivery operations, you must manage its challenges effectively. Here’s how to master legalized cannabis deliveries:

1. Investing in cannabis delivery software 

Investing in a robust cannabis delivery software platform is one of the most important steps dispensaries can take to master operations. This technology combines essential tasks like managing orders, planning routes, ensuring compliance, and more.

2. Implementing robust training programs

Creating training programs is crucial for successful cannabis delivery operations. These programs should cover everything from company policies and customer service techniques to recognizing risks, such as product diversion. Moreover, continuous training ensures that employees stay updated on new products and regulations, helping them become skilled and responsible team members.

3. Developing a customer-centric company culture

You can build loyalty that encourages repeat business by encouraging a customer-first mindset where every employee is motivated to exceed expectations. Gathering customer feedback and promptly acting on it to make meaningful improvements is crucial for success.

Looking Forward to Cannabis Delivery Excellence

Constant improvement is essential to optimizing your cannabis delivery operations. Gather customer feedback through surveys, social media, and customer service interactions to identify and solve delivery issues quickly. At the same time, regularly review your internal processes to streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and manage risks. 

Remember, the cannabis industry thrives on innovation and customer satisfaction. Following these strategies will improve operational quality and adjust to market changes. So, start implementing these steps now to ensure long-term success and growth in cannabis delivery.