The Trouble With Cannabis SEO

Cannabis SEO

Our blog post, SEO: 7 Reasons to Get Started Today describes why SEO is valuable to any business. This blog post will identify the trouble with cannabis SEO as the industry knows it.

The evolution of the industry has increased web search’s about cannabis and the industry. Common questions include cannabis legalization status, purchase limits, how to obtain licensing or patient cards, and “dispensaries near me”.

However, some online platforms are restricting the content available to users. For example, Facebook and Instagram often restrict the use of the word marijuana or cannabis in advertisements and in user “groups”. Google also banned the use of cannabis ads on their search engine. For a market that already has strenuous regulations, these restrictions can be make or break for a marijuana company trying to gain traction to their website. All the more reason why it is important to understand the trouble with cannabis SEO, and how many companies are working around these issues.

Instead of using words such as marijuana and cannabis, many dispensaries are leaving those words out all together! Marketing has become crafty with what words are driving promotions. Because of this, the website development and marketing teams must work cohesively to implement a plan for success. Additional resources are also available to the cannabis industry. For example, Google Trends can help a business understand what key phrase or words to use in their SEO title.

Do you need a help with your marijuana business? Check out our offered services below.

Florida Medical Marijuana Licenses

The Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) will issue a total of 20 new medical marijuana establishment licenses during 2022.

To illustrate the significance of obtaining a cannabis license in Florida, we must define “medical marijuana treatment center”. Specifically, licensed medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) are vertically integrated. This means they produce and sell products directly to customers and are restricted from conducting business to business transactions. Additionally, MMTCs are the only businesses in Florida who can dispense medical marijuana and low THC cannabis to qualified patients and caregivers.

One license will specifically be dedicated to a social equity applicant of African American descent. The license application fee will be $146,000 as opposed to a $60,000 fee for 2015 applicants. The OMMU will begin accepting applications for this medical marijuana license in March 2022.

Additionally, Florida will issue 19 Medical Marijuana Treatment Center licenses due to the increase in the states medical marijuana patient count. When applications for these licenses will open is currently unclear. However, the OMMU will announce the application requirements and submittal period in the Florida Administrative Register.

In order to operate, a business must undergo 3 state approvals.

To begin operation, each MMTC must receive authorization at three stages. The first stage is the cultivation authorization. The second stage is the processing authorization. The third and final stage is the dispensing authorization. All three stages are required prior to dispensing low THC cannabis or medical marijuana.

You Will Need Standard Operating Procedures For a Florida Business Application!

We’ve Got You Covered. We Have The Following Florida Specific SOPs:

We Also Offer a Variety of Services for a Current or Future Cannabis Business. See our list of services below:

California Marijuana License Application

California is currently accepting marijuana license application through their online portal. In fact, the Department currently offers three portals to end users. Each portal specifically has access to different license application types.

Therefore, before you apply you must choose a license type. To illustrate, California has many licensing types. Such entity types include cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, retail, testing, and microbusinesses. These entity types identify how the business may legally operate. As a result, each license type has different requirements when submitting an establishment application.

Learn More About Each License Type

Additionally, the department announced on January 1, 2022 that they will be accepting fee waiver forms for applicants who have been affected by previous cannabis laws. This stipulation stems from the commonly known social equity program of California. In order to apply for the social equity fee waiver, the applicant will first need to submit eligibility criteria to the department.

Each California marijuana license application requires the submission of Standard Operating Procedures with the initial establishment application. Standard Operating Procedures take extensive time to compose. However, these documents are beneficial for State regulation and company operations.

We Are Here to Help! We Save You Time By Offering Application Writing Services and Customized SOP’s for Your New Cannabis License.

Request a Quote Here.

New Jersey Marijuana Applications

New Jersey is opening marijuana applications to business owners whom wish to apply. The license will allow the business to provide adult use marijuana to consumers in New Mexico. You can find the adult use marijuana rules in the following document: NJAC 1730

Under the new rule, consumers are able to purchase 1 ounce of marijuana or the equivalent as a cannabis product. Additionally, a business may not sale more than 5 grams of concentrates to a consumer in a single transaction.

The rule also includes language on the states Social Equity Program. This program is set to give individuals and communities negatively impacted by marijuana laws a chance at obtaining licensing. An applicant will additionally need to provide proof of residency with their application. A social equity applicant currently lives in an economically disadvantaged area and makes less than 80% of the median state income. More importantly, individuals who have at least two marijuana related disorderly persons offenses; or at least one marijuana related indictable offense will be able to apply for these licenses as well.

The division of medical marijuana in New Jersey will issue 37 cannabis cultivator licenses. Additional licenses may become available as the market grows in the state.

If You Need Assistance With Completing New Jersey Marijuana Applications, Contact Us TODAY!!

Browse Our Offered Services Below:

Oklahoma Cannabis Licensing Software

To begin, it is not a secret that the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) has actively been accepting cannabis licensing applications. To date, no application deadline has been specified making this a hot spot for startup cannabis businesses. Additionally, the state does not have a cap on the number of licenses awarded. However, the OMMA will shut down the application period between January 10th through January 17th to change to a new cannabis licensing system.

Incomplete Applications

So, what happens to applications which are incomplete on January 10th, these applications will need to be resubmitted through the new system “Thentia”. The new system will be available to users on January 18, 2022. Contact us now for assistance submitting your new application.

Current Licensees

Current Licensees will receive an email from OMMA containing their Thentia login information. Previously, licensees had to contact the OMMA to update their information. As a result of the new system, licensees will be able to update their information online. We can help also with renewal applications, contact us today!

Why The Change?

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority will make the switch to this new cannabis licensing system in hopes to improve in three areas. The department aims to provide users with a more friendly interface. This will make the application process easier for the end user. The second goal for the department is to reduce the turn around time associated with licensing. Issuing licenses at a faster pace will allow the industry to continuously grow at an alarming rate. A decrease in the chance of errors is the final reason for the implementation of the new system.

Thus, the Source: Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority

Dispensary POS Bundles of 2022

In 2021, we posted: “Starting A Dispensary: What hardware do you need?“. Therefor, we wanted to update our recommendations and provide you with the highest quality dispensary POS bundles of 2022. “P.O.S.” Stands for point of sale and is vital to any marijuana company. It is the heart of income for the company which is why the most superior equipment is essential for your success. For this reason, ADILAS420 offers top of the line hardware bundles that conform to your current point of sale system.

Samsung Galaxy Hardware Bundles

Our top of the line Galaxy POS bundle includes 1 Samsung Galaxy A7 with your choice of a 10.4″ display or an 8.7″ screen size. Both sizes include WIFI and Cellular capabilities. There are 3 options for colors; dark gray, silver, or gold. This is a great way to make your POS stations match your dispensary’s theme or color scheme. Additionally, the bundle includes a 5 bill, 8 coin cash register drawer, a receipt printer, a hands free barcode scanner, a zebra label printer, a tablet stand, and a USB adapter for hardwiring. This complete point of sale hardware bundle can be set up by our team of experts and shipped to your business or shipped directly to your IT team for installation.

IPAD POS Bundles

Next, let’s look at Apple products and what types of dispensary POS bundles ADILAS420 recommends for 2022. The three bundles above include a 5 bill, 8 coin cash register drawer, a receipt printer, a hands free barcode scanner, a zebra label printer, a tablet stand, and a USB adapter for hardwiring. Thus, the main difference between these three bundles is the iPad itself. We offer an iPad Mini, 10.2″, and iPad Pro 12.9″ display screen options. These bundles include options for color to match your dispensary, as well as WIFI and/or cellular options. This complete point of sale hardware bundle can be set up by our team of experts and shipped to your business or shipped directly to your IT team for installation in the same way the Samsung bundle can be setup.

Ring in the New Year With New Cannabis Business Solutions

While creating New Year resolutions, consider what resolutions you want to see from your new marijuana business. Why not ring in the New Year with new cannabis business solutions? ADILAS420 offers solutions from seed to sale for the marijuana industry. A few resolutions to consider for the new year include:

Ordering Customized Standard Operating Procedures

To begin fulfilling the resolution of updated or newly written SOP’s, ADILAS420 offers templates, writing services, and customizable standard operating procedures for any cannabis business in any State or Province.

Read More Here: Cannabis SOPs: 5 Reasons You Need Standard Operating Procedures

Purchasing New Hardware

Are you and your team fed up with old printers, scanners, and registers? Are you preparing to start a dispensary and have no idea where to start? No need to worry, we have you covered! ADILAS420 offers state of the art dispensary hardware so you can look no further.

You can also check out: Starting A Dispensary: What hardware do you need?

Implementing a new Seed to Sale Tracking System

Have you previously considered changing your seed to sale or point of sale tracking system? Make the switch with ADILAS420’s help. We offer ADILAS demos or we can help you with system implementation of any software of your choosing.

Additional information: Cannabis Business: How to choose the right seed to sale software.

Hiring a New Cannabis Consultant

You have finally found a cannabis consultant that will listen to your issues, suggest solutions from an outside perspective, and helps implement those solutions with on-site assistance. ADILAS420 truly offers support from seed to sale that your CPA will love.

New Year New Cannabis Business Solutions: CONTACT US TODAY!!!

Simple Guidance For You In Customer Service For Dispensary Budtenders

As a medicinal patient, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly as a customer dealing with budtenders. Dispensaries in large markets have competition and one bad experience a patient may not return to your location again. The whole saying, an unhappy customer will tell 10 other people versus a happy customer who may not tell anyone. In today’s world with social media apps such as WeedMaps, people can post reviews on dispensaries right after their experience versus calling your business to vent on the service received.

As a dispensary, like other brick and mortar businesses, you depend on those customers to keep coming back. Good reviews on Weedmaps can either make or break your company.

Cannabis Dispensary Customer Service – So you hired a new budtender? What do you do?

First, budtenders, should know your product. A patient or customer that is asking questions is there for your suggestions. Which leads me to, bring out the product if we are asking about balms, lotions, and candies.

Oh cash machines. If a patient and/or customer needs to go take cash out and you are going to get a product for that customer, double check the order.

Again, double and triple check the order, confirm with that customer the items they are requesting before you hit that cash out button. Today, I left the dispensary upset because this is exactly what happened to me. I looked in my bag, to discover it wasn’t the right amount for edible candy I had requested. The employee hadn’t confirmed and was cashing me out before I had the chance to correct the mistake.

Lastly, don’t talk down to your customers saying that is what they requested. This should have been confirmed before finishing hitting that payment key. Then don’t ask them if they want to be rung up for the correct amount with another charge! Logics.

I decided to write a post about suggestions since training budtenders is key to front end sales of cannabis. I did call the dispensary and spoke to the manager who said they were in the process of training new budtenders. This should actually be done on day 1, not later. Day 1, the employee should know their product and confirming the customers order before they hit the sales floor or they won’t come back.

As a company trainer for many years in customer service, a former manager at a retail store, I see excellent service as a training issue. We have many options for assisting you on helping your workers be the rock-stars they are. To learn more and take one of our courses click HERE.

Cannabis Standard Operating Procedures

Why Do I Need SOP’s?

Every cannabis business needs standard operating procedures to remain compliant with each State’s unique set of marijuana rules. Standard Operating Procedures also allow a business to outline the company policy to employees. For some, a well written set of SOPs establishes the business culture. See our Standard Operating Procedures page to purchase an SOP template, or to request a customized set of SOPs. But when will the business need these processes and policies documented?

When Will I Need These Standard Operating Procedures?

Each State’s marijuana operating rule require the use of standard operating procedures. These SOP’s should reflect compliance with State cannabis laws. If you are applying for a cannabis license, you should consider what your State law requires. The chart below contains a list of states and a description of when the state requires the implementation of cannabis standard operating procedures. We offer SOP’s written uniquely for each states updated regulations.

Click here for a preview of the SOP’s: SOP Downloadable Template Preview

We Provide Customized SOP’s for any State or Province.

StateDescriptionOur SOP’s
AlabamaAlabama will begin accepting licensing applications in September 2022. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission will require SOP’s be included with an establishment’s initial application.See Our AL Specific SOP’s
AlaskaThe Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office requires each application type to include an “Operations Plan”. Our SOP’s cover all the requirements outlined in Alaska marijuana regulations.See Our AK Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
ArizonaArizona Department of Health Services has a 2 step licensing program in which SOPs are required during the second phase, the Approval to Operate application.See Our AZ Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
ArkansasThere are 4 license types in Arkansas. Cultivation and Dispensary licenses are limited and have a two step application process. Once the initial application is submitted, the Department of Finance requires copies of Standard Operating Procedures be submitted for the selection process to be awarded based on Merit. Processors and Transporting licenses are readily available to acquire. These license types require SOPs be submitted during the initial application process.See Our AR Specific SOP’s
CaliforniaThe Department of Cannabis Control requires manufacturers, distributors, retailer, and testing facilities have standard operating procedures readily available for review after the initial application is submitted. However, cultivations must send the department a “Cultivation Plan” during the application process. Our SOP’s include all relevant information for each application type.See Our CA Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
ColoradoColorado Department of Revenue does not require SOPs be submitted with the initial establishment application, however businesses will be required to have them available for review at the departments request.See Our CO Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
ConnecticutConnecticut currently has two license types. Cultivations and Dispensary licensing requires Standard Operating Procedures be submitted as apart of the initial licensing application. The Department of Consumer Protection Medical Marijuana division issues licenses on behalf of Connecticut.See Our CT Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
DelawareDelaware has issued a limited number of cannabis licenses. However, with the increasing medical marijuana market, they could open applications for additional license. Delaware Medical Marijuana Program requires SOPs to be submitted as part of the initial application process.See Our DE Specific SOP’s
FloridaFlorida is not currently accepting licensing applications. Current license holders need standard operating procedures to present to the Florida Department of Health upon request.See Our FL Specific SOP’s
Hawaii Hawaii Department of Health is not accepting dispensary or cultivation applications at this time. Initial applications require the submittal of SOP’s before a license can be granted to an establishment.See Our HI Specific SOP’s
Illinois Illinois Department of Agriculture is currently accepting cultivation and “infusion” or processing licenses. Our standard operating procedures can be used for the initial application as well as for company policies and best practices after licensing approval.See Our IL Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
IowaIowa has two marijuana licensing types. Dispensary and manufacturing license applications do not initially require SOP’s be submitted to the Department of Public Health. However, the department does require marijuana establishments to have accurate SOP’s readily available for review.See Our IA Specific SOP’s
LouisianaThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry has only authorized Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and Southern University Agricultural Center to be licensed to grow medical marijuana. Dispensary applications are submitted through the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy and require SOPs for department review.See Our LA Specific SOP’s
MaineMaine also requires SOP’s be submitted during the initial application process. The Office of Marijuana Policy issues licenses to all three license types; Cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensary.See Our ME Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
MarylandMaryland Medical Cannabis Commission has a multi-stage application process. One of the last stages require the submission of standard operating procedures to be reviewed.See Our MD Specific SOP’s
MassachusettsMassachusetts law requires the submission of SOP’s during the initial application process.See Our MA Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
MichiganMichigan has a two step application process. The first step involves vetting all applicants. During the second and final step, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency requires an inspection which they ask for standard operating procedures for the business.See Our MI Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
MinnesotaMinnesota Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for 2022. The applications do not require the submission of SOP’s initially. However, the department will ask for this documentation during the first scheduled inspection. Each establishment must have standard operating procedures readily available for review.See Our MN Specific SOP’s
Mississippi
Mississippi has not issued any licenses due to the recent initiative that failed to pass the supreme court. The Mississippi Department of Health is ready to implement a medical marijuana program in the event an initiative does pass. License applications will not initially require the submission of SOP’s but the department will ask for these documents during the review process.
See Our MS Specific SOP’s
MissouriMissouri is currently accepting applications for transportation and seed to sale certifications. They have closed the window for cultivation, manufacturing, dispensary, and testing facilities. The Missouri Department of Health does not require SOP’s be submitted with the initial establishment application. The department will require a review of these procedures during their inspections.See Our MO Specific SOP’s
MontanaMontana will allow the recreational sale of marijuana on January 1, 2022. The Montana Department or Revenue will open applications for additional licenses during 2022. The department requires the initial application and an inspection of the applying facility before an establishment is issued a license. The department will ask for SOP’s during the inspection process.See Our MT Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
NevadaThe Nevada Department of Taxation will begin accepting applications in the near future. The department requires an inspection of the establishment before an application is deemed “complete”. The department will request standard operating procedures during the inspection process.See Our NV Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
New HampshireNew Hampshire has awarded 3 Alternative Treatment Centers (also known as dispensaries) licenses, allowing 7 total operating establishments. The Department of Health and Human Services will open applications for additional competition in the market when the states patient count increases. Although they have close to 12,000 patients in the state, this is only 1% of the population. They will require SOP’s that reflect knowledge of marijuana laws before issuing new licenses.See Our NH Specific SOP’s
New JerseyNew Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission issues conditional licenses which gives stakeholders a “preapproved” status. The application for a conditional license does not require SOP’s as it does not allow the business to operate. Moreover, while converting a license from a conditional license to a full license SOP’s will be required as the establishment must be ready to operate before approval.See Our NJ Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
New MexicoThe New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (NMCCD) has opened applications for adult use. The NMCCD will require a “Water and energy use plan” with an establishments initial application. These are covered in our New Mexico specific Standard Operating Procedure’s.See Our NM Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
New YorkNew York will open applications for adult use licensing in 2022. The Cannabis Control Board has adopted rules for the Hemp program and will continue to adopt rules for recreational sales. Medical applications are currently being accepted. The initial application process does not require the submission of SOP’s. However, businesses will want to have these available for review during the operational inspection.See Our NY Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
North DakotaNorth Dakota is not currently accepting applications for cultivations or dispensaries. Thus, current license holders need SOP’s to operate compliantly. The North Dakota Department of Health will request these documents during reviews and inspections.See Our ND Specific SOP’s
OhioThe Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program is currently accepting applications for cannabis dispensaries. Standard operating procedures are not required for the initial applications but cannabis establishments should have these on hand in case the department requests access to these documents.See Our OH Specific SOP’s
OklahomaThe Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority currently has open applications for cultivations, manufacturers, and dispensary licensing. Oklahoma rule requires SOP’s be readily available for the departments review after a license is awarded.See Our OK Specific SOP’s
OregonThe Oregon Health Authority is currently accepting applications for dispensaries, processors, and growers. The initial application does not require the submission of standard operating procedures. To obtain a cannabis “Approval to Operate” certificate, Standard Operating Procedures will be required.See Our OR Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
PennsylvaniaThe Pennsylvania Department of Health is not currently accepting applications for any type of cannabis establishment. Businesses currently holding licenses will need Standard Operating Procedures to run compliantly and efficiently.See Our PA Specific SOP’s
Rhode IslandThe Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation issues “Compassion Center Licenses” or dispensary licenses based on a lottery drawing. If chosen, a dispensary will undergo an inspection before it can legally operate. During this per-operational inspection, the department will request to review the businesses Standard Operating Procedures.See Our RI Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
South DakotaThe South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program is currently accepting licensing applications for all business types. Standard Operating Procedures are required as part of the initial application process.See Our SD Specific SOP’s
UtahThe Utah Medical Cannabis Program is not accepting cultivation or dispensary licensing applications. Although, they are accepting cannabis processor and laboratory applications. The initial application for both license types require the submittal of a business plan. All aspects of this plan are covered in our Utah specific SOP’s.See Our UT Specific SOP’s
VermontThe Vermont Department of Public Safety will accept applications for additional dispensary licensing when the patient count in Vermont reaches 7,000. The application process will require standard operating procedures be submitted before an establishment will be issued a license.See Our VT Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
VirginiaVirginia is accepting applications for “pharmaceutical processors” or dispensaries. The Virginia Board of Health Professions requires standard operating procedures be submitted with the initial establishment application.See Our VA Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
WashingtonWashington is currently accepting transportation and research licenses. The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board requires an operating plan be submitted with the initial establishment application.See Our WA Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical
West VirginiaWest Virginia’s Health and Human Resources Medical Cannabis department is not accepting “Permit Applications” at this time. When the application process does open, a plan of operation must be included as part of the initial application. Our standard operating procedures satisfy the plan of operation requirements.See Our WV Specific SOP’s
District of ColumbiaThe District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration is currently accepting applications for testing labs, cultivation centers, and dispensaries. Standard Operating Procedures must be submitted at the time of the initial application.See Our DC Specific SOP’s:
Rec / Medical

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New York Marijuana Social Equity Program

On March 31, 2021, New York State legalized adult-use cannabis by passing the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA). The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will create a marijuana social and economic equity program.

The program will encourage communities disproportionally harmed by disparate drug enforcement to participate in the marijuana industry. MRTA provides three services for the social equity plan. They incentivize participation for individuals disproportionally impacted by cannabis prohibition. Additionally, the Department automatically expunges an individual’s past marijuana convictions. Finally, the department invests 40% of the adult use cannabis tax revenue toward rebuilding communities who suffer disproportionate impact from the war on drugs. The MRTA has a goal to award 50% of all adult-use licenses to social equity applicants.

There are several factors that will increase the probability of winning a license. These factors include the applicant having an income lower than 80% of the median in the county the applicant resides. The applicant must lives in a community disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of previous cannabis laws, and has been or is related to someone who has been previously convicted of a marijuana crime. Additionally, minority or women owned businesses, veterans, and distressed farmers will get preference in obtaining a license. We will continue to add updates about the licensing timeline as they become available.

Do you need a compliance expert, hiring aid, website development, or consultant for a marijuana social equity business?

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