Illinois Cannabis Retail Compliance Q & A: Top 5 Dispensary Questions Answered
By Gary Cohen on August 26, 2019
With a now permanent medical marijuana program in place and an adult-use market set to launch on New Year’s Day, Illinois is primed for a cannabis industry takeoff. As entrepreneurs across the state put the pieces in place for their budding ventures, it’s critical to address complianc …
How to Land the Right Location for Your Cannabis Dispensary
By Gary Cohen on August 12, 2019
With new markets in Missouri, Michigan, and Illinois primed and ready for takeoff, entrepreneurs across the Midwest are laying the groundwork for their cannabis operations. And if you’re one of them who’s planning on launching a cannabis retail venture, finding the right location is o …
From Medical to Recreational: How to Prepare Your Michigan Dispensary for Adult-Use
By Gary Cohen on July 23, 2019
After becoming the 10th state to legalize recreational cannabis in November 2018, Michigan’s marijuana market is heating up. And with projections now calling for more than $650 million in annual sales by 2023, cannabis entrepreneurs should know there is enormous potential in the state …
How to Apply and Win a Dispensary License in Missouri (Free Guide Inside)
By Gary Cohen on July 18, 2019
Medical cannabis legalization is sweeping through states some onlookers never thought possible. Missouri, a state that many cannabis activists never saw as a fertile ground for legalization, is turning the lights on a medical marijuana program in a few short months -- a true testament …
Michigan Cannabis Dispensary Q & A: Top 5 Compliance Questions Answered
By Gary Cohen on July 16, 2019
As the Great Lakes State prepares for the start of recreational cannabis sales, it’s critical for retailers to ensure they’re fully compliant with the marijuana dispensary regulations in Michigan.
7 Things to Look For in a Seed-To-Sale Compliant POS in Missouri
By Gary Cohen on July 5, 2019
You put a lot of hard work into earning a dispensary license, and now that you’ve got the green light, you’ll need to find the right POS partner. It’s vital you pick a point-of-sale that meets all DHSS seed-to-sale regulations, one that helps you prevent diversion of product into the …
How to Choose a Seed-to-Sale Compliant POS for Your Michigan Dispensary
By Gary Cohen on June 25, 2019
Following the legalization of recreational sales in late 2018, lawmakers are busily writing the regulations that will govern Michigan’s adult-use cannabis market. Naturally, a major aspect of regulation is the tracking of all cannabis product as it moves through the supply chain — whi …
How to Reduce Your Cannabis Tax in Ontario
By Gary Cohen on June 20, 2019
The cannabis store tax in Canada can add a pretty penny to your customer's total purchase. In Ontario, there is a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) that adds a 13 percent fee on virtually all products, cannabis included. But there are HST exemptions for certain populations in Ontario so long …
How to Apply for a Cannabis Retail License in Michigan
By Gary Cohen on June 11, 2019
After becoming the 10th state to legalize recreational cannabis in November 2018, Michigan’s marijuana market is heating up. Patients across the Great Lake State are obtaining their medical marijuana cards while government regulators are busily drafting the rules for the recreational …
How to Address ID Scanner Concerns with Cannabis Retail Customers
By Gary Cohen on May 14, 2019
Recently, Cova was spotlighted in a news report discussing customer concerns over having their IDs scanned in Canadian cannabis dispensaries. Canada takes consumer information privacy very seriously, and so do we — which is why we invest in premium data protection measures to safeguar …
10 Need-to-Knows Before Leasing Dispensary Property
By Gary Cohen on April 30, 2019
Signing a property lease for a cannabis retail location is a major investment and business decision. Don't take it lightly! There are a few strategic choices you should carefully review and make sure you have fully considered before you commit.
5 Tax Tips for Cannabis Retail Businesses
By Gary Cohen on April 12, 2019
Americans are gearing up for Tax Day, a day that always seems to come too soon. This time of year is a stressful season for most business owners, but for cannabis businesses, taxes are even more migraine-inducing. The federally illegal industry still attracts a keen eye from the IRS, …