The good news? You don’t have to juggle three systems to stay compliant. With cannabis-specific ERP software, cultivators can integrate directly with Metrc and remove the need for QuickBooks altogether to save you time, money and sanity.  

The Trouble with QuickBooks in Cannabis 

QuickBooks is one of the most widely used accounting tools in the world. It’s affordable, accessible, and a majority of bookkeepers are trained on it. For basic journal entries or vendor payments, QuickBooks can get the job done. But for many cannabis operators, it falls short or leaves you hanging. 

QuickBooks doesn’t integrate with Metrc. That means cultivators must manually enter data into two separate systems, doubling the workload and the risk of human error. It also doesn’t handle batch management, yield tracking, or compliance tagging. When regulators audit, pulling accurate reports across spreadsheets, QuickBooks, and Metrc becomes a nightmare. On top of all the industry-specific shortcomings, the Intuit terms of service allow QuickBooks to pull the plug on cannabis businesses at any time.  

In short, QuickBooks was never designed for cannabis. For growing cultivators, the cracks show fast. 

Why ERP is Different 

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems built for cannabis combine finance, compliance, and operations in one platform. The right ERP integrates directly with Metrc, so every plant and every gram is tracked automatically. No duplicate entry. No gaps between systems. 

As a disclaimer, not EVERY ERP is built for cannabis. 365 Cannabis utilizes Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Business Central ERP and has custom built it exclusively for cannabis. On a more confusing note, not every ERP in cannabis is actually an ERP- it’s common for some seed-to-sale software to claim they’re an ERP despite not delivering on the ERP promise.  

A true ERP streamlines all software for operators and eliminates the need for a mismatched tech stack.  

Here’s what cultivators gain with ERP: 

• Direct Metrc integration: Plant tagging, harvest data, and transfers flow automatically 

• Compliance-ready reports: Regulators ask, you pull the data fast 

• Audit trails: Every action is tracked, so you’re always inspection-ready 

• Integrated finance and forecasting: Cost per gram, yield forecasting, and revenue reporting are tied directly to your cultivation data 

Instead of bouncing between Metrc, QuickBooks, and spreadsheets, ERP creates one source of truth. 

Beyond Compliance: Smarter Operations with ERP 

The benefit of ERP goes beyond Metrc capabilities and what any seed-to-sale can offer. By uniting compliance and finance, cultivators finally see the true cost of production. Batch data connects directly to financial reports. Yield forecasts are grounded in real numbers, not guesses. Investors and stakeholders get clear, accurate reports. 

And without QuickBooks in the middle, finance teams don’t fight against a system that was never meant for cannabis. Everything lives in one platform designed for the industry. Your finance team will thank you, and they’re the team you really want to win over (trust us).  

Next Steps 

Metrc is mandatory. QuickBooks is optional. For cultivators who want to scale without compliance risk, ERP is the clear path forward. By integrating directly with Metrc and eliminating the need for QuickBooks, cannabis operators save time, reduce risk, and create a stronger foundation for growth. 

Your compliance system should not hold you back. Schedule a demo with 365 Cannabis today and see how ERP makes compliance simple, accurate, and scalable. 

The post Why Cannabis Cultivators Outgrow QuickBooks appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Here’s Everything You Need to Scale Your Missouri Cannabis Business in 2025

Automated Metrc Integration 

Missouri’s state compliance system is Metrc, the leading state cannabis compliance system in the United States. There are many operators who rely on manual entry for tracking plants and products, however manual entry leaves a lot of room for risk. The compliance fees and fines significantly outweigh the cost of trustworthy compliance software. Competitive operators in Missouri are actively looking for cannabis software with an automated metrc integration to avoid manual entry errors. The leading cannabis ERP systems, like 365 Cannabis, are designed with compliance guardrails to ensure users stay within regulations at every step, something we pride ourselves on.  

Real-Time Inventory Control 

As a company grows, so do their assets and that includes every seed, every gram, every gummy. Having instant access to all products across cultivation, manufacturing, and retail is a non-negotiable for the leading Missouri cannabis operators. Real-time inventory control gives operators instant visibility into every SKU, eliminating blind spots and costly write-offs. The right cannabis software will track take account of everything within the supply chain and production schedule and be able to deliver Available-to-Purchase (ATP) data for sales (and here’s why that’s important).  

Integrated Cannabis-Focused Financial Tools 

Missouri’s cannabis community is booming and that means more money to manage for operators. Many businesses, cannabis or not, use QuickBooks. That’s a fair tool for some businesses, but it’s not designed or optimized at all for cannabis operators. Cannabis has unique challenges as a federally illegal, state legal, Schedule I substance subject to 280E. Outside of the QuickBooks limitations, due to cannabis being federally illegal, they do reserve the right to not support any cannabis enterprises, even fully legal and licensed ones. We’ve seen reported issues with QuickBooks as early as 2015 of entire financial recording software locked overnight. While QuickBooks does often turn a blind eye, they overall do not serve the needs of the cannabis community. ERP platforms have financial systems built into place that serve two functions- eliminating the need for third party financials like QuickBooks and integrating all efforts to ensure financial data is accurate. The 365 Cannabis financial module for example pulls financial data in from all sales, all purchases, all invoices, everywhere that touches the business to ensure every penny is accounted for. Native financial functions reduce the opportunity for human error and ensure every spend and every sale is accounted for.  

Data and Analytics for Decision Making  

Missouri’s cannabis market is still relatively young, which means consumer behavior is evolving quickly. Operators who rely only on historic sales data risk missing major shifts in category demand. Advanced analytics provide real-time visibility into product performance, costs, and margins, helping operators pivot quickly and stay ahead of competitors. Dashboards powered by tools like Microsoft’s Power BI allow businesses to identify growth categories, spot inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions with confidence. In a fast-moving market, analytics are the difference between reacting to trends and leading them. 

Missouri cannabis operators are competing in one of the most dynamic markets in the country. Success in Missouri’s cannabis market demands excellence in compliance, product visibility, accuracy, finance, and control across the entire business. ERP built for cannabis, like 365 Cannabis, combines compliance, inventory, financials, and analytics into one platform designed for growth. 

If you’re ready to scale your Missouri cannabis operation, schedule a demo with 365 Cannabis and see how ERP can help you lead the market. 

The post How to Scale Your Missouri Cannabis Business in 2025 appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

California cannabis operators are facing a major compliance update with the launch of Metrc’s direct to consumer recall tool. This new feature was announced on Wednesday, August 20^th and changes how cannabis product recalls are managed in California. The tool shifts responsibility from dispensaries to a system driven notification that alerts consumers directly. For operators, the Metrc California recall system represents both an opportunity to build trust and a challenge to manage increased compliance pressure. 

What is the Metrc California Recall Tool? 

Metrc is the state system for California’s cannabis industry. In California, Metrc is used to monitor cannabis from cultivation through retail sale. Historically, product recalls were communicated through dispensaries and regulators, with operators relying on store staff or email chains to notify customers. Metrc is utilizing their partnership with Retail ID to communicate product information. This creates a direct channel straight to consumers from Metrc themselves. By streamlining middle steps, California regulators can deliver faster and more reliable alerts when a product is identified as unsafe or mislabeled.  

Why the Recall Update Matters for Cannabis Businesses 

An interesting side effect of this movement will be the direct visibility users have when interacting with brands and products. Dispensaries have reached varying levels of effectiveness when relaying product updates to customers. Some can be very effective or proactive with recalls while others may slap a sign up on the show floor and call it a day. This initiative thankfully reduces the workload from dispensaries and refocuses the recall discussion to the products and brands. Here are some high-level benefits we anticipate from this pivot:  

• Faster notifications ensure that unsafe products are identified and removed quickly 

• More visibility for regulators strengthens consumer protection and industry transparency 

• Higher compliance standards place more pressure on businesses to maintain clean and accurate product records 

• Reduced labor for retailers as they can advise guests to scan product for recall information, rather than actively communicating to customers 

The Risks Operators Should Consider 

On the flip side of this initiative, brands can anticipate an increased level of visibility with any potential recalls. Brands that have recurring recalls will be repeatedly brought to the forefront of the conversation which may (and should) impact their brand affinity and even market share. The Metrc California recall tool makes transparency unavoidable, meaning operators must be prepared to respond quickly and clearly to prevent brand damage.  

How California Cannabis Operators Can Prepare 

Operators with increased concerns about Metrc California’s recall tool need to zoom out and bring compliance to the forefront. There are a few options but optimizing compliance tools is essential. Many Seed-to-Sale software options focus on solely connecting to Metrc as a safeguard. A full suite ERP, however, goes past the Seed-to-Sale compliance and delivers compliance safeguard across every element of the business. A software tracker that brings in all departments into one source of truth can be leveraged for accurate inventory, batch tracking, and stopping issues before they arise.  

Being proactive is the best defense against the potential disruption of a recall. 

How 365 Cannabis Supports Recall Management 

365 Cannabis helps operators manage recalls seamlessly by combining compliance, finance, and operations in one ERP system. With centralized inventory and batch tracking, compliance integrated reporting, and financial impact visibility, 365 Cannabis equips operators to handle recalls quickly and effectively. Instead of scrambling during a recall event, operators using 365 Cannabis can act with confidence, minimize losses, and protect their brand. 

Where Do We Go From Here?

The new Metrc California recall system raises the stakes for cannabis operators across the state. Businesses that rely on spreadsheets or disconnected software will struggle to keep up with the speed and transparency regulators now demand. With 365 Cannabis, operators gain a trusted ERP partner that ensures recalls are managed with accuracy, efficiency, and accountability. 

Learn how 365 Cannabis supports California operators here.

The post How the New Metrc California Recall Process Impacts Cannabis Businesses appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

We’re proud to say that 365 Cannabis is heading to MJ Unpacked St. Louis this September to help Missouri operators find the right solution to manage compliance, finance, and operations in one seamless system.  

Why Missouri Cannabis Operators Outgrow Seed-to-Sale 

Basic tools handle compliance, but Missouri operators need more to stay competitive: 

• Compliance and Reporting: Keep up with Missouri’s state system, Metrc, and reduce manual errors 

• Financial Management: Handle cannabis-specific accounting, inclusive of 280E, and real-time reporting 

• Inventory Control: Track plants, batches, and packaged goods across facilities 

• Profitability: Protect margins as wholesale pricing shifts with supply and demand 

Competitive cannabis operators are looking for ERP solutions that streamline efforts across facilities. ERP eliminates the need for third party finance solutions, like QuickBooks, and aligns efforts with more detailed data reporting.  

365 Cannabis ERP for Missouri Cannabis Businesses 

With 365 Cannabis ERP, Missouri operators get: 

• Finance & Accounting – General ledger, AP/AR, budgeting, and integrated reporting. 

• Cultivation & Production – Harvest tracking, yield forecasting, recipe management. 

• Inventory Visibility – Real-time plant-to-package tracking. 

• Built-in Compliance – Direct integration for tagging and reporting. 

This all-in-one approach saves time, reduces compliance risks, and prepares Missouri operators to scale. 

Meet 365 Cannabis at MJ Unpacked St Louis 

We’re excited to connect with Missouri’s cannabis leaders at MJ Unpacked St. Louis. Come visit us at booth 337 at MJ Unpacked this September and say hi, or book time with us outside of the conference.

Book a demo with 365 Cannabis and see why Missouri operators are upgrading to ERP for compliance, finance, and growth. 

The post 365 Cannabis is Coming to St. Louis, Missouri appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Because cannabis is a regulated product with strict expiration dates, operators must not only produce efficiently but also turn product quickly. The reality is that many overproduce which forces them to slash prices just to get product onto shelves. This cycle of oversupply and discounting has accelerated falling wholesale prices across the U.S. According to Cannabis Benchmarks, the weighted average price for a pound of cannabis dropped from $1,328 in August 2019 to just $1,093 in August 2025—a 17.7% decrease—while inflation rose by 26.36% in the same period.  

With rising costs of living and operating facing off with a race to the bottom, cannabis operators need smarter strategies to protect margins and stay competitive. 

Spoilers: we got your back on this but keep reading. 

How Can Cannabis Operators Control Their Sales Inventory?  

A major factor in the race to the bottom is discounting product pricing. Common reasons for discounting products are upcoming expiration dates and having too much product on hand and needing to make space. A solution that we have seen success with is Available to Purchase (ATP) in cannabis software.  

What is ATP in Cannabis?  

ATP is a live tool in cannabis inventory management software that delivers data to operators on how much cannabis can be legally and operationally committed to a sale. Basic inventory counts will only show how much finished product is ready to sell at that moment- just what’s on hand. An APT program is a comprehensive look at what you have on hand, what you have allocated to customer orders, what’s quarantined, what’s in the production cycle, and what’s pending testing. Where basic inventory reports give a surface-level snapshot, ATP provides a comprehensive, real-time picture of what’s actually sellable. 

How does ATP Help Cannabis Operators? 

ATP capabilities for cannabis management extend past sales availability; it can also be a compliance safeguard. The accurate numbers inclusive of products in testing or to be finished soon deliver accurate inventory across the board. This ensures alignment with the state compliance system and avoids unnecessary compliance penalties. Many ATP solutions also offer FIFO capabilities to ensure, true to form, product is sold on a first in, first out basis.  

ATP also prevents accidental oversell situations that may be costly and labor inducive to fix. Aside from oversells, there may be fees or penalties within state compliance systems for inaccurate product numbers. The ATP tool becomes a single source of truth for cannabis sales commitments and streamlines operations for your sales team.  

When paired with a cannabis ERP system that includes sales projection reporting, ATP gives operators the insights they need to forecast demand, control output, and maintain profitability.  

How Can Cannabis Operators Implement ATP Today? 

The fastest way to bring ATP into your cannabis operation is by using a cannabis ERP system designed for compliance and inventory management. With 365 Cannabis, ATP is powered by SellStack and can be built directly into cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and retail workflows. That means operators can see, in real time, exactly what inventory is legally and operationally available to sell, without worrying about overselling, compliance discrepancies, or wasted product. 

By combining ATP with 365 Cannabis’ sales forecasting, costing, and compliance integrations, operators can finally take control of their inventory, protect profit margins, and stay competitive, even in an oversupplied market. 

To see the solution in action, schedule a demo with 365 Cannabis and discover how ATP can give your business the confidence to promise only what you can deliver. 

The post Why Available to Promise (ATP) Matters to Cannabis Operators appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Why is Dab Day celebrated on July 10^th?  

When the characters ‘710’ are flipped upside down, they look like the characters ‘OIL’.  

New Frontier Data reported that vape products “were included in transactions at nearly the same rate among both men & women (21%).” Regardless of age, we’re seeing one in five cannabis shoppers reaching for oil.  

Unique Challenges of the 710 Cannabis Supply Chain 

The processing of cannabis extracts can be done a few different ways, but all routes lead to a complex supply chain. Extracting oil from flower can be tedious and often requires a lot of hardware to produce finished goods. This long path to finished goods leaves the supply chain with several points of vulnerability where things can go wrong or get expensive.  

Modern Solutions for Cannabis Challenges  

Operators who work with vape and concentrates understand the high overhead and hyper-specific regulations required to work in the extract world.  

Three of the Top Reported Cannabis Operator Issues During Production:  

• Remaining compliant per METRC or BioTrack throughout production  

• Not knowing exact COGS  

• Reporting is too slow for accurate inventory or batch tracking  

How Do Cannabis Cultivators and Manufacturers Stay Compliant Through Production? 

The strongest operators have both a compliance expert on staff full time as well as a compliance-based software. 

As more cannabis licenses are issued, the need for cannabis compliance managers rises. The average salary for a cannabis compliance manager averages out to over $90K a year. These roles are typically a one-person department with some exceptions for large, enterprise-level operations that justify a full compliance team.  

There is an opportunity for human error with compliance team members, so the best way to ensure compliance is utilizing tools that guarantee compliance guardrails. Many compliance experts advocate for software that has embedded connections with localized compliance regulators like METRC, BioTrack, and Health Canada. The best cannabis ERP for concentrate producers will all have strong relations with regulators.  

How Can Cannabis Cultivators and Manufacturers Track COGS During Production? 

There are a few ways operators track their COGS that range from very vulnerable to airtight. The most vulnerable way is to manually track spend and labor across finished product. While it appears simple on the surface, it ends up with lots of opportunity for missing numbers, simple typos causing calculation errors, and the chance that it could all be wrong or overlook key spend.  

The airtight solutions ensure accurate tracking based on accounting software for pricing, compliance measures that track what is used where and when, and labor. These tracking practices also deliver an accurate bill of materials for extraction inputs. Utilizing tools that empower operators to know their true cost per gram delivers the control over costs that business owners dream about. Airtight software solutions offer two absolute non-negotiables: accounting integration and compliance data. With accounting integration, spend is inherently tracked and verified for complete accuracy. Compliance data ensure each step of production is tracked and verified against products used, finished goods, and hardware depreciation. The best airtight solutions will be wholly integrated across operational platforms to ensure internal data transparency and compliance accuracy for all aspects of the business.  

Why is Reporting so Slow for Inventory or Batch Tracking?  

The solution here is a better solution. There are some cannabis tech stack companies that are built for cannabis without the resources to ensure a long-lasting product. There are also companies with tried-and-true tech that are not made with cannabis in mind. There are a select few tech companies that truly established technological resources and reliability with the custom infrastructure for the cannabis industry. More advanced tech-based companies will have live reporting, like Jet Reports. 

How Can Cannabis Operators Refine Their Supply Chain?  

By working with an ERP solution that understand their unique challenges across every aspect of the cannabis industry.  

365 Cannabis is powered by Microsoft, so our cannabis partners can take advantage of the suite of Microsoft business platforms, reporting capabilities, and fully integrated suite of support. Aside from the well-grounded tech, the team is powered by cannabis veterans from across North America who are dedicated to the industry’s success.  

The post How Cannabis ERP Solves 710 Cannabis Supply Chain Challenges appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Certain states require licensing or training for employees in various aspects of the industry, such as cultivation, manufacturing, testing, sales, transportation, or management. However, most often, employees pursue cannabis certification on their own to gain specialized knowledge and insights into the field.

With a booming industry employing close to half a million full-time workers, hiring managers are faced with a daunting task. An employee who has earned certification in cannabis studies can provide a significant advantage for a cannabis business.

What is a Cannabis Certification?

Typically offered online—although there are a few select training facilities across the country—cannabis certification courses usually provide a general introduction to the cannabis industry, along with more in-depth courses on everything from the origins of different cannabis strains to the making of edibles and tinctures.

Why Get a Cannabis Certification?

Certifications Demonstrate Hard Work

Because there are no standardized educational requirements to work in a dispensary or other cannabis-related business, an application can only tell you so much about an applicant. If you asked your applicants if they are hard workers, most would say that they are to improve their chances of landing the position. Cannabis employee certification can be used to validate their claim.

If someone has clearly illustrated a willingness to learn and excel through earning a certificate, they are invested in making themselves more valuable. Even more, they will likely be a better hire than someone who hasn’t.

High Turnover Leads to Higher Costs

According to a study published by the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE), “replacing a worker costs an average of $4000.” This is due to a loss in productivity and morale and an increase in training costs, advertising expenses, and errors made by new employees.

Working in the cannabis industry isn’t ideal for every job candidate, and hiring qualified, certified employees decreases attrition. Remember, they knew what career they wanted and chose to seek out options to get educated on that said career.

Keeps You Competitive

Hiring qualified employees has a direct impact on the performance of your company. In an industry that is lacking in credibility, it’s no secret that subject matter experts (SMEs) give you an edge over your competitors.

Having more SMEs on your team significantly boosts your company’s reputation and increases the confidence that your customers have in your products or services.

Expands your Company’s Network

To obtain a cannabis employee certification, applicants will likely need to attend classes or a seminar of some sort. These classes give members the chance to communicate with others in the industry and exchange ideas that could improve your company’s practices.

Having connections and building partnerships in an industry that is so young could be instrumental for the long-term success of your company. Not to mention, HR would also have direct references available should you need more resources.

Are Cannabis Certification Worth It?

While cannabis certifications are great for all the reasons mentioned above and can absolutely be worth the time and money expended for both the employee and employer, there is one notable downside: without federal standards, the education offered in the courses can vary widely.

For every good training course with a legitimate curriculum, there are bound to be dozens of poor courses hosted by unqualified instructors, so make sure that the cannabis certification comes from a reputable organization with experienced and licensed cannabis professionals.

Pair an Educated Workforce With a Reliable ERP Solution 

Working in the cannabis industry has its challenges, but having an educated workforce with a legitimate interest in the industry’s health and future can help your business reach its goals. 

Having the right system in place for your employees can also be a conduit for productivity.

As the cannabis supply chain becomes increasingly complex, enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions like 365 Cannabis come equipped with functionality tailored to fit the unique needs of cannabis business owners, including compliance and regulatory issues. This allows your business to reduce or eliminate manual processes, increase efficiencies, and focus on the growth of your business.

If you would like to see how 365 Cannabis can increase your productivity, request a demo to see more!

The post The Benefits of Cannabis Employee Certification appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Those that are successful often relate their continued success to their avid compliance and continued value of current regulation. Compliance seems to be what has really given the cannabis industry life since legalization and what differentiates good businesses from great businesses. 

Cannabis compliance is important because cannabis regulation differs across all states, throughout Canada, and in other places in the world. Every unique area has a unique set of rules: legal limits, facility requirements, patient procedures, and best practices.

Having a dedicated cannabis compliance manager and/or a compliance department can help keep your business in the best shape in the case of an audit or regulatory visit. 

Why You Need A Cannabis Compliance Manager

Reason #1: Sporadic Changes

Keeping up with legislation is already a tiresome process, but keeping up with the ever-changing cannabis legislation (especially in the states) can be a monster of a task.

The cannabis industry has been known to be volatile for many reasons, but the legislature happens to add to the chaos. States and local jurisdictions typically have fluctuating opinions and ideas on how to regulate cannabis properly, and often “emergency laws” become effective at unpredictable times.

You will want a compliance manager and team that regularly monitors the legislation of each specific location of your business. 

Reason #2: Knowledgable and Trained Personnel

Your operation may encompass a small handful of employees or more employees that you can count, but either way, you will want them trained in compliance because the more personnel you have, the more risk you have for non-compliance.

It is an operational benefit to have a compliance manager on board to help direct and mitigate risk as well as oversee relevant processes and procedures.

The first step is ensuring you have effective and complete processes and procedures. The second step is having a team dedicated to overseeing compliance with them. These processes and procedures are how you can prove to the federal, state, provincial, or local authorities that you are running a compliant operation.

The actions your employees take at work are a reflection of the effectiveness of the processes and compliant measures you have taken to have a successful business.

Reason #3: Multi-State or Multi-Country Operations

Whether you already have multi-location or multi-state operations or plan on growing your operations to be so, you will want to consider the utmost importance of having a cannabis compliance manager and/or related personnel.

Having a team that can manage and oversee rapidly changing regulation as well as get in contact with regulators on short notice is the most effective way to maintain your cannabis compliance.

Multi-location operations can be particularly demanding with compliance because you have to ensure all your tools, processes, and personnel are compliant based on location and organizational expectations. It can be challenging to streamline your expectations across your organization when compliance stipulates different requirements in different areas. 

How the Right Software and Compliance Go Hand-in-Hand

Compliance is an ever-changing component of the cannabis industry and plays a role in all portions of your cannabis business. When it comes to choosing tactical partners and implementing pertinent software, the compliance conversation only grows. 

365 Cannabis understands and strictly focuses on the cannabis industry, ensuring that our ERP solution is specifically tailored to handle the intricacies of any cannabis operation in any location despite the unique regulatory distinctions. 

Request a demo to see what 365 Cannabis can do for your cannabis business.

The post Do You Need a Cannabis Compliance Manager? appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

From medical caregivers in 2008 to the first recreational dispensaries opening their doors in 2019, cannabis has come a long way in Michigan, making it the 10^th state in the U.S. to legalize recreational cannabis.

Nonetheless, it is more difficult than ever to secure a Michigan cultivation license.

Below, we’ve provided high-level overviews of the Michigan cultivation license and marijuana laws.

Michigan Marijuana Laws for Growers

A Michigan commercial marijuana growing license allows individuals to sell marijuana seeds or plants only through a secure transporter. In addition, it allows them to sell marijuana to a provisioning center or a processor.

Eligibility and regulations for a Michigan cultivation license include many moving parts, such as no safety compliance facility or a secure transporter. This means that an individual cannot also have these types of Michigan cultivation licenses if they have a grower’s license.

Caregiver Requirement

Michigan grower licensees must have an active employee who has two years’ experience at the minimum as a registered primary caregiver. The licensee cannot be a registered primary caregiver.  

Marihuana vs. Marijuana

In the early 1900s, Michigan adopted its statutory definition of marihuana in the Public Health Code, utilizing the then-current federal spelling, marihuana.

Although updating something as simple as a single letter in spelling may seem like an easy task, extensive legislation would be required to change the spelling in Michigan for legal communication and statutes. Informal, non-legal documents will use modern marijuana spelling.

Types of Michigan Grow Licenses

There are two types of commercial grow licenses in Michigan, each with three classes depending on the number of cannabis plants you intend to cultivate.

• Medical grower classes: A (500 plants), B (1000 plants), and C (1500 plants) 
• Recreation grower classes: A (100 plants), B (500 plants), and C (2000 plants) 

The adult-use program also permits a microbusiness license. Equivalent licenses with common ownership will be allowed to operate at the same location, without separation, if the operation is not in violation of any local ordinances, regulations, or limits. Separate entrances, exits, point of sale areas, and operations will not be required.

Michigan Commercial Grow License Cost

The initial costs of a license at the state level include the application fee and the regulatory assessment. Additional costs at the state level are authorized under the Medical Marijuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA) and may be required. An applicant may also need to pay a fee to its municipality of up to $5000.

State License Application Fee

The application fee is non-refundable and offsets the cost for LARA, the Michigan State Police (MSP), and/or contract costs for investigative services for conducting the background investigation of those applying for licenses.

The nonrefundable application fee is $6000.

State Annual Regulatory Assessment

The regulatory assessment is due prior to the issuance of each license and may vary depending on the number of licenses anticipated to be issued. The regulatory assessment does not apply to safety compliance facilities.

Grower A licenses are capped, by statute, at $10,000. Grower B and Grower C licenses will be dependent on the number of total licenses subject to assessment and could be as low as $10,000 or as high as $66,000. The exact amounts of the regulatory assessments are not available currently. 

Michigan Commercial Grow License Application Requirements

Applying for a commercial grow license in Michigan is a long and tedious process.

To ensure you are filling everything out correctly and going above and beyond the requirements, we strongly suggest hiring a knowledgeable consultant and/or attorney. This will have the appropriate experience in the cannabis industry and can help you throughout the entire process.

There are two steps to the application; pre-qualification and license qualification.

Pre-Qualification Stage

In the pre-qualification stage, a thorough background check will be carried out. A background check is conducted on the main applicant and supplemental applicants, such as individuals with an ownership interest in the applicant.

This stage also looks at the financial fitness of the applicants to determine if they meet the minimum financial requirements for the grow license they are seeking. Additionally, to ensure that the financial backgrounds of the applicants are in order and do not have unexplainable sources of funds or transactions. 

License Qualification Stage

The license qualification stage of the application process requires the applicant to outline what type of license they are applying for. Additionally, the applicant must submit where their facility will be located, and how they plan to run their business.

As part of this step, cultivators must submit an extremely detailed cannabis cultivation business plan. The plan includes extensive outlines for security, facilities, staffing, technology, recordkeeping, and waste disposal at minimum to be complete.

Marijuana Compliance in Michigan

Legal Authority

The legal authority for marijuana is the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The State of Michigan does not restrict the number of licenses, but cities and towns can regulate, ban, or limit the number of marijuana businesses in their community.

Read more about Michigan marijuana regulations. 

• Read the rules on medical regulations.  
• Find more information about recreational regulations.
• Learn more about the emergency regulations added July 2019.

State Tracking System

Michigan has contracted Metrc as the mandatory regulatory tracking system. Metrc is a seed-to-sale marijuana tracking system that uses serialized tags attached to every plant—and labels attached to wholesale packages—to track marijuana inventory. Tags are attached to a plant to facilitate tracking through different stages of growth. Additionally, the tag tracks the drying and curing processes, and eventual retail sale.

Third-Party Integration

365 Cannabis is a validated third-party vendor for Metrc in Michigan. 365 Cannabis offers inventory control and tracking that is capable of interfacing with Metrc to track:

• All cannabis plants, products, packages, purchase totals, waste, transfers, conversions, sales, and returns
• Lot and batch information throughout the entire chain of custody
• Complete batch recall that clearly identifies all required criteria pertaining to the specific batch subject to the recall 

We encourage you to always check the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website for the most up-to-date information.

Schedule a demo to see 365 Cannabis’ Metrc integration in action. 

The post Michigan Cultivation License and Marijuana Laws appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Writing a business plan isn’t easy—especially when you have to dive into the details of other industries that typically wouldn’t have to consider, like HVAC and compliance. It takes a lot of research, planning, and time to develop a plan that lays out procedures that haven’t been practiced. Even more, it is specific to your unique operation and instills confidence in the regulatory agencies and investors.

But, all of that work will pay off when you have created a step-by-step guide to the heart of your cannabis cultivation business.

To give you some more insight on how to make a cannabis business plan, we’ve compiled a list of six components that a great plan should include:

Cultivating a Marijuana Growing Business Plan

Facility Map

Provide a detailed overview of how your cultivation facility will be laid out. This includes general information, like the size, number of rooms, and number of plants.

You’ll also want to go into extensive detail to include everything from your labor processes to the air filtration system, production schedules to irrigation.

The more detailed your facility map is at the start, the easier it will be to analyze for gaps and needed changes when you audit your operation.

Security Plan

You will need to describe the physical layout of your facility, surrounding property, parking lots, and neighborhood.

Include extensive documentation including blueprints, maps, etc—documents that lay out everything from fencing and landscaping to lighting and camera locations.

Next, have your policies and procedures in place. This includes how individuals enter and exit the facility. 

Transportation

Transporting your goods from one location to another can be a tracking and compliance nightmare. This is the perfect time to make sure that you have everything you need in place for your product to arrive safely and securely.
Detailed plans should include licensed drivers, vehicles being used, shipping manifests, packaging and labeling practices. In addition, departure and arrival schedules and the routes should be tracked to ensure there is a paper trail throughout the entire transportation process.

Packaging and Labeling

All cannabis product labels should include mandatory information prominently displayed in a clear and legible font.

From standard information to health and safety warnings, each statement you must use on your packaging should be clearly defined.

Regulations regarding packaging and labeling can vary from state to state. Be sure to review your state’s requirements for the most accurate information.

Compliance Requirements

You must show how your business will meet the compliance requirements to operate legally in the cannabis industry.

Your cannabis cultivation business plan must show that you understand required compliance regulations. Additionally, you must show how you will ensure ongoing compliance with proper standard operating procedures and staffing.

We always suggest having a dedicated employee or a third-party consulting partner on record that knows all your operation’s compliance requirements.

Tracking Solution

Since cannabis is a heavily regulated industry with separate overseeing authorities and designated tracking systems depending on location, your seed to sale tracking software is business-critical for compliance as well as business growth.

Choosing the right API cannabis software can significantly affect the success of your business. 365 Cannabis stands unrivaled with its open API ecosystem that allows seamless integration with over 80 partners. It empowers you to select vendors best suited to your requirements and to stay ahead of the curve in a competitive market.Explore more about 365 Cannabis partners and integrations and how our cannabis compliance software can propel your business forward. Choose 365 Cannabis, the smart choice for your cannabis business, and join us in shaping the future of the cannabis industry.

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