As the industry, and the world, adapts to the stark changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, one major shift that’s occurring is with cannabis retailers and dispensaries. With cannabis being deemed an essential service by California’s Dept. of Public Health and Food & Agriculture, retailers are understandably relieved and also flummoxed with converting to delivery or curbside measures. Here’s what we know on both:

Cannabis Delivery

• Many retail licensees have the ability to conduct delivery built into their retail license, even though they may not incorporate that into their operations.
• While not as easy as waving a magic wand, we can help to determine a pathway to rapidly deploy compliant deliveries for your business. Logistically, think GPS, fleet cars, updating standard operating procedures, ensuring delivery drivers are trained/familiar with best practices.
• Contactless delivery: Due to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, some SOPs related to delivery will need to be altered temporarily to protect workers, patients, and customers.

Curbside Pickup:

• Localities have been authorizing curbside pickup for retailers, to limit contact while providing access.As this falls outside of the regulations, licensees need to be communicating directly with the Bureau of Cannabis Control for temporary authorization to deliver via drive-through window/direct to a car.
• Again, temporary SOPs will need to be implemented in order to compliantly conduct curbside delivery. Security protocols, ID verification, pre-ordering, sanitation, and other concerns impact this activity.

Compliance in Crisis

• While businesses are responding on a day-by-day basis to new information and new demands, it’s important to keep documenting procedures, training staff, and communicating regulatory updates. We are doing our utmost to share the latest developments, and can help you be responsive, protected, and proactive during these hectic times.
• Remember: New Operations = New SOPs. If you are altering your operations, you need new SOPs. And don’t forget, we can provide remote compliance training on all operational compliance topics for your staff.

We get it if you have questions about all of this. Contact MMLG today and we’ll get through this together.