In the days before social distancing restrictions, a cannabis dispensary in a legal state could choose to offer delivery in addition to the typical storefront retail experience for the simple reason that it allowed them to increase their volume, improve the customer experience, and ultimately lead to increased ROI. However, the landscape of storefront retails across all industries has changed with COVID-19. Consumers are opting for remote shopping, curbside pickup, and delivery to avoid public spaces and adhere to social distancing mandates. By utilizing technology solutions to allow for online ordering, cashless payments, and adding online delivery to your dispensary, patients and customers can easily and safely purchase your products, even when you need to temporarily close or limit access to your storefront.
The need for cannabis dispensaries to add delivery and curbside pickup became necessary in the spring of 2020 when states began shutting public retail spaces to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some places, like Washington DC, lifted restrictions on delivering medical cannabis in response to the pandemic. While medical cannabis was deemed essential in most states, allowing dispensaries to continue to sell, many cannabis businesses had to scramble to implement online menus, cashless payments, and delivery systems in place to allow consumers continued access to their products. These kinds of investments in technology solutions to facilitate the new needs of consumers will only increase as the pandemic continues and eventually will become the industry standard. We have entered a new phase in the cannabis industry where technology solutions are required to thrive and where consumers will continue to expect the convenience this new cannabis dispensary experience offers.
However, the ability to run a near-virtual dispensary offering home delivery requires complex logistical planning. What software systems will you use to manage compliance, operations, route planning, and driver management? What information do you require to be able to make informed, data-driven decisions? How do you manage the customer experience to ensure their satisfaction? How do you ensure the safety of both your patients and your drivers? Dispensaries will become increasingly reliant on integrated software designed specifically to manage these issues.
How Can My Cannabis Dispensary Get Started with Delivery?
With online ordering integrations and an out-of-the-box cannabis delivery solution already in place, MJ Platform gives operators a head start on implementing delivery into their business model. Our core competencies combined with our robust partner ecosystem allow our clients to use API integrations to build out the solutions best suited for their business.
What Do I Need to Consider Before Getting Started?
- Metrc and Metrc Delivery API Access Points – Ensure your seed-to-sale software provider is certified as a third-party vendor by the track-and-trace system your state requires (i.e. Metrc). California has opened a Metrc Delivery API, which is an additional compliance endpoint required for delivery businesses. MJ Platform integrates with nearly every track-and-trace system and facilitates these regulatory workflows with ease.
- Online Ordering – Create the most convenient experience for your customers by offering online ordering through your website. API integrations with companies like Guru Systems give you the e-commerce and marketing tools to create an online ordering experience and to communicate with patients and customers through text messaging.
- Cashless Payments – The federal illegality of cannabis creates complexities in the industry when it comes to collecting payments, which have traditionally been primarily cash-based. With increased distancing, cashless payment solutions are becoming more accepted across the industry. Traditionally, delivery drivers collected cash upon delivery of a product, but now with more cashless payment solutions like AeroPay, Hypur, and Paytender in place, dispensaries can ensure payment upfront at the time of order, eliminating the complexities of cash.
- Delivery Logistics – The delivery of cannabis goods require many workflows to stay compliant and ensure customer satisfaction. The solution you pick should help you manage all aspects of delivery logistics, including:
- Batching and Route Planning – Improve your delivery efficiency with the ability to batch orders by proximity and optimize routes.
- Fleet Management & Client Communication – Track vehicle, and calculate speed, wait times to predict ETA. These features allow you to stay in contact with your clients, keeping them updated on the progress of their delivery.
- Proof of Delivery – Ensure that product safely and compliantly is delivered to the correct person. Companies like Cannveya offer next level confirmation with video and photo capture of delivery and signatures.
- Web-based software for on-the-road fulfillment – Allow your drivers to fulfill orders and update inventory on-the-road with a compliant software solution that offers web-based activity.
- Driver-Specific Functionality (Reconciliation) – Reconcile inventory specific to each driver at the end of the night to ensure inventory counts match across the board and there is no diversion.
RELATED: Watch the MJ Platform Cannabis Dispensary Software Demo
MJ Freeway Offers More than Cannabis Delivery
Beyond delivery-specific solutions, MJ Freeway offers compliant seed-to-sale software for the entire cannabis supply chain. Our supporting services, including a consulting team offering compliant solutions for other fundamental aspects of cannabis business software including:
- Full standard operating procedures services
- Custom labeling
- Cost tracking
- Genetics tracking
- Custom business intelligence tool
- Extensive training/implementation options, both live and virtual
Together, all these solutions provide the comprehensive services needed by today’s legal cannabis delivery business. Discover your solution with MJ Freeway and click here to talk to our software experts today!
