, as the number of states providing some form of legalized cannabis continues to grow across the country, with 18 states, including Washington DC, legalizing recreational cannabis and 37 states. Additional that allow medical cannabis. In 2020, legal cannabis sales in the United States increased 46 percent, topping the previous year's record of $ 17.5 billion.
This year alone, cannabis sales are estimated to approach $ 31 million, and by 2026, some companies estimate that sales will grow to $ 62.1 billion.
While the cannabis industry certainly has great potential to establish a very lucrative business, there are many challenging legal hurdles to overcome. Another difficulty is the steep learning curve associated with navigating and understanding the complexity of such a young and rapidly expanding industry. These considerations alone can make running a cannabis store seem intimidating. However, if you surround yourself with the right support staff of cannabis industry advisers, ancillary professionals, and other industry experts, you'll be far better equipped to handle the challenges that lie ahead.
The following step-by-step instructions how to get a loan to open a dispensary will guide you through the basics of the operation.
Step 1: Do some research
To run a cannabis retail business, each town, city, and state will have its zoning and licensing laws.
Most, if not all, states will create and administer a program-specific licensing system based on the type of dispensary you want to launch (medical or recreational).
And generally, you will need two licenses if you want to grow and prepare your product to sell in your retail store: one for cultivation and one for retail.
To apply for the proper license, you must first do thorough research on the various categories of licenses available in your state.
Please note that each city and state will have certain deadlines for submitting review requests before receiving a license to begin operations.
The timing of each component of the puzzle will be crucial not only to create and present the most competitive application possible but also to ensure that you have met the deadlines for your consideration.
Each stage of the application process, including filing, must be well-considered and understood, and you must be fully prepared to carry out those processes exactly as specified.
You will need to research the state and local regulations that control the legal sale of cannabis and cannabis-based products within each market, as well as be aware of your state's licensing requirements.
Step 2: Create a winning team
A big part of building your dispensary loans has to do with having the right equipment.
Every cannabis dispensary should strive to have the following people on its team:
Lawyer with experience in the cannabis sector
An accountant with knowledge of the cannabis industry: To avoid being punished during an audit, specific cannabis tax rules must be observed.
A knowledgeable compliance officer to ensure your cannabis business is properly complying with all state and local rules.
A seasoned retail expert who is well versed in POS systems, inventory monitoring, and reconciliation.
The security system for each facility will be developed and managed by a security contractor, who will ensure that all state and local cannabis security criteria are followed on an ongoing basis.
.Step 3: learn about the industry
Once you have secured funding and a location, it is important that you do your research thoroughly and understands all aspects of your chosen business.
To be successful in the cannabis industry, you must have a thorough understanding of the technical knowledge required to run a cannabis business.
It will be important for you and your team to understand, at a minimum, seed-for-sale monitoring, inventory management, the importance of industry compliance, as well as the fundamentals of customer service and retail sales.
Having this prior knowledge will ensure that your dispensary continues to comply with all rules and regulations, as well as make you a better salesperson and representative of your business.
Also, if you want to manufacture and/or prepare your product, this knowledge is essential. In this scenario, you may need to enroll in a horticulture course, as well as grow room design and electrical engineering courses, to learn how to build a working grow room and get the maximum potential yield per square foot within the installation.
Step 4: Build your dispensary
For starters, you need to create a great retail experience to attract your potential customers.
This part of the process takes a lot of planning to get by, but this is one of the steps that can make or break your business.
However, if you manage to build a strong brand that resonates with customers, you are likely to achieve long-term patient/customer retention as your brand recognition will increase more and more.
It is important to understand that dispensaries have certain unique design features that are distinct from other retail companies, and you will need to configure your retail space with these items in mind.
Working with an architect and interior designer will help you design an efficient space that provides a warm and welcoming environment for your patients/clients.