Gary Cohen

Gary Cohen is the CEO of Cova, the most trusted cannabis POS brand in North America. Having met with nearly 2000 dispensary operators from coast to coast, he leverages expert knowledge to offer cannabis retailers the support they need to get a license, pass inspection, launch a store, assess tech tools, and scale operations. Gary leads seminars on retail technology, compliance, business operations, and cannabis banking laws at the industry’s largest events including NCIA, CannaCon, and MJBizCon.

Posts by Gary Cohen

5 Must-Visit Booths for Cannabis Retailers at MJBizCon 2021 in Vegas

By Gary Cohen on Oct 5, 2021 12:00:00 AM

The cannabis industry’s most awaited event is finally here, and it is happening in the sin city from October 20th to 22nd at the Las Vegas Convention Center. After almost two years of no trade shows and conferences, MJBizCon 2021 will be a fantastic opportunity for cannabis profession …

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Key Takeaways From Recent Amendments to Illinois Cannabis Regulations 2021

By Gary Cohen on Jul 29, 2021 12:00:00 AM

Cannabis became legal for recreational consumption in Illinois from Jan 1, 2020. But the implementation of various programs directed towards developing a robust and fair cannabis industry has been marred by delays. The pandemic certainly impacted the whole process, but there has also …

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7 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Cannabis Retail Business

By Gary Cohen on Jul 16, 2021 12:00:00 AM

Cannabis retail is evolving at different speeds across North America. While some states have mature, competitive markets, others are just opening their doors—meaning timelines, regulations, and best practices can vary widely. With no universal playbook, many new dispensaries are learn …

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How to Start a Cannabis Delivery Program in British Columbia

By Gary Cohen on Jun 28, 2021 12:00:00 AM

The pandemic has accelerated the digital revolution and has compelled cannabis retailers to adapt swiftly to changing consumer behavior. Most regulatory authorities have also gradually realized that they must allow convenient ways of purchasing and selling cannabis to ensure the succe …

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How to Open and Run a Cannabis Dispensary in New Jersey

By Gary Cohen on Apr 30, 2021 12:00:00 AM

Recreational or adult-use cannabis became legal in New Jersey on Jan 1, 2021, after the ‘Marijuana Legalization Amendment’ was approved by voters during the general elections in November 2020. The New Jersey cannabis bill was signed into law on February 22, 2021, and the Cannabis Regu …

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How Much Does it Cost to Open a Cannabis Dispensary in New Jersey?

By Gary Cohen on Apr 14, 2021 12:00:00 AM

New Jersey’s newly formed Cannabis Regulatory Commission met for the first time on April 12, 2021, to start the process of establishing a responsible, fair, and equitable cannabis industry in New Jersey. Initial cannabis regulations were released on August 19, 2021, and will empower t …

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How to Run a Compliant Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Oklahoma

By Gary Cohen on Mar 11, 2021 12:00:00 AM

Over more than a year after voters in Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis, one in 13 adult residents has a patient card. Oklahoma has the highest number of per-capita dispensaries among medical marijuana states in the US, with 56 medical marijuana dispensaries per 100,000 residents. W …

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From Medical to Recreational: How to Transform Your Maine Caregiver Dispensary to Adult-Use

By Gary Cohen on Oct 22, 2020 12:00:00 AM

After being postponed for well over a year, recreational cannabis has been legalized by the state of Maine on October 9th, albeit abruptly.

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7 Crash-and-Burn Mistakes in Cannabis Retail

By Gary Cohen on Jun 3, 2020 12:00:00 AM

Successful cannabis retail goes beyond just winning the license. While 85% of cannabis retailers break even in their first year, many others fail, and most struggle to reach their full revenue potential.

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