Cannabis has yet to be legalized federally and is still classified by the DEA as a ‘Schedule 1’ drug. Due to this classification, federally regulated banks often refuse to house the earnings of cannabis dispensaries for fear of losing their license to legally operate. This presents a challenge for dispensaries in states where cannabis has been legalized. Many dispensaries do …
Cannabis Lounge: Restaurant or Dispensary?
Cannabis Lounge The idea of a cannabis “coffee shop” has been around for decades: a place where a person of legal age can go to consume cannabis while on-site in a relaxing environment, free from judgment. While the same base desires for a similar space still exist within the average cannabis consumer, the level of expectation and innovation for the …
Things to Know Before Touring a Cannabis Cultivator
There are many reasons to visit or tour a cannabis cultivator, but visitors often do not know what to expect since the cannabis industry is still young. Visitors to a cannabis cultivator may include regulatory officials, industry professionals, or vendors and tours are becoming common in states like Colorado. Tours of cannabis cultivators are a great way to become educated on the …
How to obtain a Cannabis Cultivation Facility
When starting a cannabis cultivation facility, there are a lot of “I’s” to dot and “T’s” to cross. Ever wonder how existing licensed marijuana cultivators did it? Help… and lots of it. Sapphire Risk Advisory Group and Grow Space New England have joined forces. Providing clients with a turn-key solution in the cannabis / marijuana industry. Aspiring marijuana cultivators face …
How Can Dispensaries Protect Themselves from Looters?
Following the death of George Floyd, looting took place across the country. Many targeting marijuana dispensaries, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. In most cases, rioters weren’t just looting stores. They were completely ransacking and destroying property. A Closer Look Berner’s Cookies, in Melrose, CA, response is parallel to the industry’s historic, positive alignment with social justice issues – …
Iowa and New Mexico Opens Dispensary and Manufacturer Applications
Iowa Dispensary Applications The Iowa Department of Public Health is looking to replace two dispensaries in an application round that began on April 17, 2020. Submissions are due June 8, 2020, by certified mail. The dispensaries are required to operate in accordance with Iowa Code chapter 124E and 641 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) Chapter 154. There is a section dedicated …
How Scheduled Access may have Prevented a $100,000 Dispensary Burglary
Despite $10 million in sales within the first five days of legal recreational cannabis, not every dispensary in Illinois is reaping in the benefits. More than $100,000 in cash was stolen from Chicago dispensary MOCA Modern Cannabis on January 6. The burglary occurred around 3 a.m. when dispensary was closed for the night, so no staff or security personal were …
Denver Dispensaries Show Reductions in Crime Rates
Almost every state has legalized cannabis to some extent, whether that be for medical or recreational use. But as cannabis businesses become more common, prejudices remain, and sometimes local officials and the communities they represent fight back. Although legal cannabis use is becoming more prevalent, communities still hold lingering fears of cannabis businesses increasing crime, turning suburban neighborhoods into crime-infested …
Holiday Security for Dispensaries
We all know the holiday season is very busy with a lot more people out shopping than usual. So how are you going to maintain your security and safety programs during this busy time? Since the cannabis holiday season operates differently from the rest of the year, you need to understand precisely how your current programs handle security and safety. …
Cannabis Storage: Could Your Safe be Ruining Your Product?
Like a fine wine cellar or whiskey barrel, cannabis is best when aged in a cool, dark place. Heat can dry out essential oils and too much moisture can cause dangerous bacteria and mold to grow. Cannabis and Heat Organic matter thrives in temperatures between 77° and 86° F, so keep your product stored below this temperature to prevent mildew …