The Top 4 Cannabis Compliance Complaints and How to Cope

Complex Regulations

Cannabis-related regulations are complex because they change over time to suit the local municipality and state requirements. This can be quite a task to overcome because you will need to stay ahead of the authorities to stay compliant. It is your responsibility to adhere to hundreds of rules and keep track of any adjustments made to them as well.

Too Many Compliance Regulations

When it comes to running a cannabis dispensary, there is no one-size-fits-all rule to adhere to. Each authority will have a say in how you operate, from your state authority to your local municipality. This means you will have to meet both their standards to operate successfully. For example, you have to adhere to laws from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) at the Federal level, the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, and the workplace safety requirements by OSHA. Each state also has different licensing requirements and quality standards. And you have to comply with all of them as well.

Compliance Is Time-Consuming

Due to the numerous rules and the complex process involved, adhering to compliance regulations takes up a lot of time. This does more harm than good to the productivity of your businesses. For small businesses, in particular, it makes it difficult to reap meaningful profit within the first years of operation. This discourages entrepreneurs from venturing into the industry for fear that they won’t get much value from it.

Unstable Reporting Tools

Sometimes, compliance complaints may be out of your control since it also depends on how much the state works on its reporting tools. It can be frustrating to have all the latest technology and machinery in the cannabis sector and then get held down by the clumsy reporting system of your local authority. This can significantly affect your productivity since you will have to depend on the state-managed reporting tools to stay compliant.

How to Cope

Despite these compliance complaints, you don’t need to throw away the hope of making it in the cannabis industry. There are various ways to cope with the stringent rules. By avoiding the small margins of mistakes, you can operate your business and maintain a good license standing easily.

Here are some ways to cope with the major compliance complaints.

Understand the Why

The first step is learning all you can about the rules and regulations surrounding cannabis. Basic education on what you’re allowed to do and what you cannot do will give you a clear understanding of what the law requires of you as a cannabis dispensary owner.

Read a lot

Authorities can change the cannabis regulations without warning. This means that your business can be rendered incompetent any day. Staying ahead requires you to read cannabis-related newsletters and blogs to keep track of any changes in the laws. Periodicals that include news about your state and local municipality usually highlight these changes. So, ensure you don’t miss any of them.

Monitor Your Relevant Agency Websites

When applying for a license or renewing your operating permit, you may be required to do so through an agency website. Depending on how advanced their system is, they may have a blog section that talks about the different regulations and how they affect your business. Have someone monitor any changes that are made to these rules through the website and adjust accordingly.

Keep in Touch with Your Local Authority

Once you get the go-ahead to operate your dispensary or shop, don’t just ignore your local authority. Building connections with the relevant agencies will help you stay updated on all cannabis matters. They will provide you with information on how you can stay compliant as a business.

Attend Webinars and Trainings

This is by far one of the most direct approaches to staying compliant. Find out whether your local municipality or state holds regular webinars to discuss the details of cannabis regulations. If you can’t attend the webinar personally, assign the role to a staff member who will be in charge of setting any new info into action.

Regularly Update Your Documents

One volatile area when it comes to cannabis regulation is having the right documents and keeping them up to date. Your local authority may perform regular audits to inspect your facility and check the correctness of your documents. Having outdated records can result in hefty fines and possibly closure of your business.

Invest in the Right Software

In this day and age, physically keeping up with compliance regulations is an uphill task. Having good software can take this load off your hands and help you cut costs. The right compliance software will enable you to run your business smoothly while still providing room for scalability and adaptability.

The Bottom Line

The cannabis sector is a promising industry that has unlimited growth potential. However, for new entrepreneurs, the margin of error might seem thin, which means only seasoned risk-takers can venture into the market.

But with the right tools and the proper mindset, grasping the ins and outs of the cannabis sector can be quite easy. With a little effort and dedication, even the stringent compliance regulations won’t be that big of an issue.