Cannabis delivery services are not only convenient, but have become essential for many adults, senior citizens, and others unable to leave their homes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dispensaries that expand into delivery with a digital trade model will retain customers, enhance the buying experience, and see their business grow more prosperous.
Even before the current pandemic, customers sought out better ways to shop for legal cannabis. A highly requested service in the marijuana industry has been cannabis delivery so customers can shop and collect their product from the comfort of home. Social distancing and other limitations imposed by a pandemic can make delivery crucial for obtaining goods, cannabis or otherwise. Many cannabis consumers also consider delivery a more secure and discrete method of purchasing marijuana.
Delivery services have seen immense growth due to the pandemic, and even with businesses starting to open up again, delivery options remain in greater use. To stay competitive in the market many cannabis dispensaries offer different perks and incentives for shopping with them, but the best method for retaining individual customers is convenience. Therefore, cannabis dispensaries should set up a delivery service or partner with a delivery outlet to succeed in the post-pandemic reality. Before getting started, be sure to review facts and laws regarding marijuana delivery. Some of the most essential things to consider are described here.
- LAWFUL AUTHORIZATION
The events of 2020 quickened the rollout of marijuana delivery all over the nation. However, rules for legal marijauna delivery vary depending on the local laws the service functions in. In some areas, an in-store budtender must confirm your order, while in others, the delivery team may approve the order. Additionally, some states permit cannabis delivery for medical use but not recreational consumption, and all licenses and limits must be confirmed before the delivery can be made. Once permission is authorized, make sure each vehicle has proper documentation before departing the dispensary.
- KEEP TRACK OF INVENTORY
Marijuana dispensaries must follow all delivery deals through a legally compliant inventory tracking system. States like Colorado and California require that a point of sale invoice for an in-store purchase does not fulfill inventory tracking guidelines for deliveries. In these cases, purchases made through a delivery service require the customer’s name, ID number, address, delivery time, and proof of receipt. Most states don’t allow products worth more than a specific value to be taken in one vehicle at a time. Providers without a storefront must maintain a clear registry of each delivery completed and must show history of the inventory delivered to customers.
- TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS
There are many regulations to follow during marijuana deliveries, though these change from state to state some general points to consider are:
- Each vehicle must maintain working GPS.
- Each delivery must be registered and videoed.
- A driver must maintain a copy of the trade authorization, their driving license, and worker ID proof.
- In Covid periods, the operator must stick to all local protection protocols, including wearing a mask.
- TRANSPORT VEHICLE
Delivery must be completed in well-maintained, covered vehicles (no scooters or bikes) with safety boxes affixed to the vehicle body. States with tough laws demand that GPS units track every delivery route, and drivers may not change from the predetermined route or complete unauthorized visits. You should operate a strong fleet of trustworthy marijuana transport vehicles that comply with all state laws. Fit each vehicle with an alarm system and way of safely preserving all products, including perishable ones that require a temperature controlled atmosphere.
- BUSINESS PARTNER
Focusing on a dispensary’s storefront and a delivery service can put a lot at stake for one company. A single offense can impose fines or even license suspensions. Partnering with or creating a separate service to handle different tasks can not only provide additional protection against offense repercussions, but can ease the workload on each service. Partnering with another service could also allow your customers to access your menu and request delivery from the service’s website or app.
- CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
A wonderful customer experience from delivery service begins before they are placing a delivery order. It consists of attracting a person to place an order through different channels like social media, providing multiple options that suit their needs, and ensuring satisfaction throughout the buying experience. Those choosing delivery will not physically come to the shop, and in order to enhance their buying experience, all in-store resources should be imitated in some way. Providing access to online information on the product, educational material, and access to an employee that can answer questions on products and processes is a great way to accomplish this. First-time consumers will especially appreciate details that can guide them through the cannabis purchasing experience.
- POINT OF SALE AND TRANSPORTATION
Opening a cannabis storefront up to delivery options requires some variation to the way the store operates. Incorporating specialized technology to assure a seamless and compliant delivery service will help delivery services operate efficiently. To ensure obedience to state laws and rules, delivery companies should consider the following during point of sale:
- Customer ID Validation
- Compliant Delivery Method
- Inventory Tracking
- Procedure Followed