A Cannabis Dispensary is a store that sells marijuana for recreational or medicinal use. They also sell the gear needed to enjoy cannabis.
They can be found in many states that have legalized the sale of weed. The stores are similar to pharmacies but they specialize in cannabis products.
Budtenders
A dispensary’s budtenders are the face of their business, providing customers with guidance and reassurance. It’s essential to find the right candidates and equip them with the tools they need to excel at this role.
Budtenders should be well-versed in all the products a dispensary offers. They should be able to compare prices, explain product differences and recommend products based on customer preference and medical history. Budtenders should also be able to explain different methods of consumption and understand how they affect bioavailability.
Top-performing budtenders keep up with industry news, including new cannabis products and strains. They have an advanced understanding of state laws regarding cannabis products, cultivation and important chemical compounds (like caryophyllene, which has pain-relieving properties). They also demonstrate sales skills on the job by upselling or cross-selling. They may encourage loyalty program participation and explain how a customer can earn points and rewards on their purchases. A solid grasp of inventory management is essential, too.
Products
A cannabis dispensary is a retail outlet that sells marijuana products, either for medical or recreational purposes. It also provides information about product use and potential effects, and often has knowledgeable staff (called budtenders) to help customers choose the best products for their needs. In addition, it may offer delivery services.
The products sold at a Cannabis Dispensary include flower, edibles, concentrates, and tinctures. Some also carry accessories and vaporizers. Cannabis-based topicals are another popular option, as they are absorbed through the skin. They are available in a variety of dosages and can provide analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and psychoactive effects.
Many states have legalized the sale of recreational cannabis in licensed dispensaries, but there are still some that do not allow it. These dispensaries are regulated by local government and provide a comfortable experience for adults over 21 to purchase cannabis products. They are required to scan your ID to ensure that you are not purchasing more than the legal amount.
Cash Only
Using cash in a cannabis dispensary creates significant safety, operational, and compliance risks. While operating in cash may seem cheaper, it can lead to weeks without revenue and a loss of business license if you run afoul of state or federal regulations. This is because merchant accounts that accept cash-based payments are often subject to strict scrutiny and reporting requirements, including integration with Metrc and compliance with Bank Secrecy Act protocols.
To reduce the need for physical cash, consider a digital bank-to-bank transfer solution. These systems enable customers to link their bank account with a mobile app that then allows them to make purchases at the point-of-sale. These solutions are secure, state-compliant, and allow for seamless POS integration. They also allow dispensaries to see higher sales, as customers spend on average 30% more when not limited by cash on hand.
ATMs
Due to federal prohibition, banks and credit card networks prohibit cannabis-related transactions. As such, cash is the only option for budtenders to accept payments in marijuana dispensaries.
Despite the limitations of accepting only cash, many marijuana businesses have found ways to work around this restriction. A common method is to utilize a “cashless ATM” that processes a debit purchase as a cash withdrawal rather than a merchant purchase. While this works for some retailers, it poses serious legal risks.
Using this method violates card network rules and exposes the retailer to possible fines, forced removal of machines, or even revocation of the business license. To avoid this risk, cannabis POS solutions should support compliance by matching the ATM terminal ID with the registered address of the merchant and reporting all required transaction details. This will help ensure that any prohibited ATM transactions are properly identified as such, separating them from cannabis purchases. This will also prevent a single ATM from generating multiple prohibited transactions.