Dispensary Standard Operating Procedures

Entries: 27 | Last refresh: 2026-04-17 Auto-generated by generate_refs.py -- do not edit manually

Total SOPs: 27 | Compliance-Mandated: 10 | Best Practice: 17

Pre-Launch (Before Opening Day)

SOPs that must be documented and staff-trained before the first customer walks in. Regulatory inspectors may review these during final facility inspection.

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Cash Handling & Management

Category: Cash Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Cash management mandated due to banking limitations; specific requirements vary by state

Procedures for managing cash transactions, drawer reconciliation, safe management, and cash transport given limited banking access

Key elements:

Cash drawer setup and reconciliation
Drop safe procedures
Dual-custody counting
Cash transport security
Daily reporting
Variance investigation thresholds
Armored car service coordination

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Age/ID Verification

Category: Compliance Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Universal requirement in all legal states -- 21+ for recreational, varies for medical

Procedures for verifying customer age and identity at point of sale and entry

Key elements:

Acceptable ID types
Expiration checking
Scanner vs manual verification
Refusal procedures
Incident documentation
Out-of-state ID handling

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Seed-to-Sale Tracking

Category: Compliance Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Required in all states with regulated cannabis sales; specific system varies by state

Procedures for maintaining accurate tracking of all cannabis products from receipt through sale using state-mandated systems (Metrc, BioTrack, Leaf Data)

Key elements:

Package receiving and manifest verification
Inventory intake into tracking system
Sale recording and package deduction
Daily reconciliation procedures
Error correction protocols
Transfer documentation

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Inventory Auditing

Category: Compliance Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Required in all states; audit frequency requirements vary (daily to monthly)

Regular physical inventory counts reconciled against compliance tracking system to identify and resolve discrepancies

Key elements:

Daily spot check procedures
Weekly cycle count protocol
Monthly full physical inventory
Discrepancy investigation workflow
Documentation requirements
Regulatory reporting thresholds for losses

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Cannabis Waste Disposal

Category: Compliance Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Required in all states; specific methods vary (some require third-party witness)

Procedures for rendering cannabis waste unusable, documenting destruction, and reporting to state tracking system

Key elements:

Waste categorization (expired, damaged, contaminated)
Rendering waste unusable (mixing with non-cannabis material)
Witness requirements
Tracking system recording
Disposal vendor management
Documentation and photo requirements

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Employee Background Checks

Category: Compliance Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Required in all states; disqualifying offenses vary (many states have loosened cannabis-specific restrictions)

Procedures for conducting required background checks on all employees and maintaining agent card/badge compliance

Key elements:

Pre-hire background check process
State agent card/badge application
Disqualifying offense criteria
Renewal tracking
Record retention
Social equity exemption handling

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Incident Reporting

Category: Compliance Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Required in all states; reporting timelines vary (24-72 hours for most incidents)

Documentation and reporting procedures for security incidents, inventory discrepancies, customer incidents, and regulatory violations

Key elements:

Incident classification (security, inventory, customer, employee)
Immediate response actions
Documentation requirements
Regulatory notification timelines
Law enforcement coordination
Internal investigation procedures

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Purchase Limit Enforcement

Category: Compliance Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Required in all states; limits vary by state and product type

Procedures for tracking and enforcing state-mandated purchase limits per customer per time period

Key elements:

Product-type-specific limits
Daily vs rolling period tracking
POS system enforcement configuration
Multi-store purchase tracking
Medical vs recreational limits
Customer communication scripts

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Security Procedures

Category: Security Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Security requirements mandated in all states; camera retention 30-90 days depending on state

Facility security protocols including access control, camera operation, alarm response, and incident response

Key elements:

Access control management
Camera system operation and monitoring
Alarm response protocols
Panic button procedures
Robbery response plan
After-hours security
Visitor and vendor access

Data Privacy & Customer Records

Category: Compliance

Procedures for handling customer data including medical patient information, purchase history, and loyalty program data

Key elements:

Customer data collection limits
Medical patient confidentiality
Purchase history retention
Data breach response plan
Employee access controls
Third-party data sharing restrictions
Records retention schedule

Emergency Response Plan

Category: Security

Comprehensive emergency response procedures covering robbery, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and active threats

Key elements:

Robbery response (comply and observe)
Medical emergency protocols
Fire evacuation plan
Natural disaster procedures
Active threat response
Emergency contact list
Post-incident debriefing

Launch Day (Day 1 Essentials)

Operational SOPs needed from the first day of business. These cover daily workflows that staff must execute immediately.

[COMPLIANCE-MANDATED] Product Recall Procedures

Category: Compliance Required in: All states Regulatory basis: Required by most state regulatory agencies; notification timelines vary

Procedures for responding to product recalls including customer notification, product quarantine, and regulatory reporting

Key elements:

Recall notification monitoring
Product identification and quarantine
Customer notification procedures
Tracking system documentation
Product return handling
Vendor communication

Product Receiving & Intake

Category: Inventory

Procedures for receiving cannabis shipments, verifying manifests, and logging products into compliance tracking

Key elements:

Delivery appointment scheduling
Manifest verification against order
Physical inspection and count
Compliance system intake
Package label verification
Temperature check for perishables
Discrepancy resolution

Opening Procedures

Category: Operations

Daily store opening checklist covering security, systems, inventory, and staffing readiness

Key elements:

Security system disarm and log
Camera system check
POS system startup and verification
Cash drawer setup
Inventory spot check
Staff assignment and briefing
Compliance system connection verification

Closing Procedures

Category: Operations

Daily store closing checklist covering cash reconciliation, system shutdown, security, and compliance reporting

Key elements:

Cash drawer count and reconciliation
Drop safe deposit
POS end-of-day reports
Compliance system daily close
Security walkthrough
Display product securing
Alarm system activation

Cleaning & Maintenance

Category: Operations

Daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedules and maintenance procedures for retail space, equipment, and display areas

Key elements:

Daily cleaning checklist
Display case cleaning
HVAC filter maintenance
Security equipment maintenance
POS hardware maintenance
Pest control scheduling
Deep cleaning schedule

Customer Service Protocols

Category: Sales

Standard operating procedures for customer interactions from greeting through checkout, including consultative selling approach

Key elements:

Greeting and needs assessment
Product recommendation framework
New customer education approach
Medical vs recreational customer handling
Upselling and cross-selling techniques
Checkout process
Post-sale follow-up

Return & Exchange Policy

Category: Sales

Procedures for handling product returns and exchanges, including defective products, customer complaints, and compliance implications

Key elements:

Return eligibility criteria
Defective product handling
Compliance tracking for returns
Credit/refund processing
Returned product disposition
Customer communication
Manager approval thresholds

First 90 Days

SOPs that can be developed and refined during the initial operating period. Important but not critical for day-one operations.

Employee Onboarding

Category: Hr

Standard onboarding program for new hires covering orientation, compliance training, system access, and initial skill development

Key elements:

Company orientation
Compliance training completion
POS system training
Product knowledge baseline
Buddy/mentor assignment
Agent card application
HR paperwork and benefits enrollment

Performance Management

Category: Hr

Procedures for employee performance reviews, feedback, coaching, and progressive discipline

Key elements:

90-day review process
Annual performance review
Sales metrics tracking
Compliance adherence scoring
Coaching and development plans
Progressive discipline steps
Termination procedures

Vendor Management

Category: Inventory

Procedures for evaluating, onboarding, and managing cannabis product vendors including pricing negotiations and quality standards

Key elements:

Vendor evaluation criteria
License verification
Pricing negotiation framework
Payment terms
Quality standards
Performance tracking
Exclusive and promotional deal management

Delivery Operations

Category: Operations

Procedures for cannabis delivery services including driver protocols, vehicle requirements, and compliance documentation

Key elements:

Driver qualification and training
Vehicle security requirements
Manifest and tracking documentation
Customer ID verification at delivery
Cash handling during delivery
Route planning
Vehicle GPS tracking
Product storage during transport

Product Knowledge Training

Category: Sales

Ongoing training program for budtender product knowledge covering strains, cannabinoids, terpenes, consumption methods, and new products

Key elements:

Cannabinoid and terpene education
Product category deep dives
Strain classification and effects
Consumption method guidance
Dosing recommendations
Brand knowledge
New product introductions
Vendor-led training sessions

Loyalty Program Management

Category: Sales

Procedures for managing customer loyalty and rewards program, including point accrual, redemption, and compliance with discount regulations

Key elements:

Point accrual rules
Redemption thresholds
Discount compliance (state restrictions)
Customer enrollment
Data privacy
Program promotion
Tiered benefits management

Ongoing Operations

SOPs that develop as the business matures. Typically refined based on operational experience and regulatory evolution.

Regulatory Audit Preparation

Category: Compliance

Procedures for maintaining audit readiness and responding to announced or unannounced regulatory inspections

Key elements:

Audit-ready documentation checklist
Inspector greeting protocol
Document access procedures
Staff roles during inspections
Common inspection focus areas
Post-audit response procedures
Corrective action plans

Social Media & Marketing Compliance

Category: Compliance

Guidelines for cannabis advertising and social media presence that comply with state regulations and platform policies

Key elements:

State advertising restrictions
Platform-specific rules (Instagram, etc.)
Age-gating requirements
Health claim prohibitions
Image and content guidelines
Promotion and discount advertising
Influencer partnership rules

Quality Assurance & Product Testing

Category: Inventory

Procedures for verifying product quality upon receipt including COA review, packaging inspection, and customer complaint tracking

Key elements:

COA review on receipt
Packaging integrity check
Potency label verification
Customer complaint tracking
Vendor quality scorecards
Product quarantine procedures
Quality trend analysis

SOP Summary

| Launch Phase | Total | Compliance-Mandated | Best Practice | |-------------|-------|--------------------|--------------| | Pre-Launch (Before Opening Day) | 11 | 9 | 2 | | Launch Day (Day 1 Essentials) | 7 | 1 | 6 | | First 90 Days | 6 | 0 | 6 | | Ongoing Operations | 3 | 0 | 3 | | Total | 27 | 10 | 17 |

Related References

See opening-dispensary.md for the full opening timeline
See org-structures.md for which roles own each SOP area
See licensing.md for state-specific compliance requirements