Do you know that the cannabis delivery market is set to reach a staggering $444.34 billion in 2030?
That’s a huge number, convincing enough to venture into this industry!
However, launching and executing a cannabis delivery business efficiently is easier said than done.
The reason?
You have to navigate multiple challenges – rigid licensing laws, inefficient routing, and customer service issues.
Worry not, as this guide will guide you through what you must do and what you must avoid when launching a cannabis delivery service.
But before that, let’s first understand in brief what a cannabis delivery means.
What Is Cannabis Delivery?
When you transport cannabis products directly to your customers’ doorsteps, that’s cannabis delivery. These products can be anything made from cannabis – flowers, edibles, or concentrates.
When delivering cannabis, you must follow a proper legal framework. You must also note that zoning regulations, permissible delivery hours, and inventory rules may differ.
Now that you are clear with the cannabis delivery basics, let’s first understand all that you must always do.
The Dos of Cannabis Delivery
Here are a few practices that you can follow to build trust, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure legal adherence.
What applies to your state may not apply to others. As if that were not enough, laws can vary from county to county within a state.
So, research both federal, state, and local laws for licensing, zoning, and permissible delivery hours beforehand.
While you may be excited to make the most of this lucrative industry, you must tread with caution. Consider starting your business from a small delivery area and limited order volumes.
The benefit?
You can analyze your performance, identify gaps easily, fine-tune your logistics strategies, and eliminate compliance problems. Plus, you won’t have to fear the risk of overcommitment that may cause customer dissatisfaction. Once you are sure you’ll succeed, you can scale your business.
Your drivers represent your brand. Therefore, you must check their background and ensure their driving license is clean. After onboarding them, provide them with tailored training on customer service standards and procedures.
It will help them get acquainted with what it’s like to be your company’s employee and what you expect from them. Moreover, they will be able to meet industry standards when offering delivery services.
-
Create standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Guidelines are a must to define. So, you must document every step and how you will execute it.
Establish standard protocols for different aspects, right from when a customer places an order till they receive it.
For instance, you can define clear instructions on how to execute the steps, such as:
- Order intake
- Inventory checks
- Packaging rules
- Driver handoffs
- ID verification
Defining and communicating SOPs with your delivery staff ensures consistency while minimizing mistakes and non-compliance incidents.
-
Use advanced delivery routing technology
The world is evolving with technology, so should your business. So, you must consider investing in advanced cannabis delivery management software to handle delivery operations. It will help create multi-stop routes in seconds.
Talk about efficiency – it’s top-notch. Some next-gen software solutions also offer easy stop import, prescheduled delivery dispatch, real-time GPS tracking, and delivery notifications. All these features combine to streamline your delivery operations.
The Don’ts of Cannabis Delivery
Every business comes with some risks, and so does cannabis delivery. However, if you remember what you must avoid, there’s nothing to worry about.
Here are a few BIG NOs to keep in mind.
1. Don’t Assume
Never assume a cannabis delivery service is legal, no matter where you operate from. So, don’t launch it unless you verify whether it’s legal and the applicable licenses and delivery laws.
For instance, Alabama doesn’t permit home delivery for medical cannabis. Similarly, Alaska and Illinois don’t permit delivery to consumers but only between licensed transporters.
2. Don’t go all in right at the start
While you may find the idea of rapid business growth thrilling, you must not run after it. Here’s why: Expanding your delivery area may require you to add more vehicles and drivers. That’s costly, especially if you have just started. The larger the area, the larger the capital you need to manage it.
It may also lead to issues like late deliveries, compliance oversights, and customer dissatisfaction. So, test the waters and build your business one step at a time to stay sustainable.
3. Never undermine the importance of background checks
A single legal suit can ruin your business reputation. And your drivers are the ones who face customers daily. So, never let go of an intense and exhaustive evaluation of your potential candidates’ history.
You must also not skip license renewals, or else there can be heavy penalties. It’s always good to implement regular compliance checks and use dedicated software if your budget allows.
4. Never ignore customer feedback
What your customers perceive about your brand is the topmost benchmark to evaluate your performance against. So, you must not make the mistake of taking customers’ reviews or feedback lightly.
While some spam reviews may be there, you must always identify the genuine ones. For that, you can coordinate with your delivery and customer support team to identify the most common issues. Accordingly, you can see if you can tweak your framework or protocols to overcome them.
5. Don’t put up with violations – ever
Rules are rules, and you must abide by them. In case you notice an evident violation of set procedures and protocols, ensure you take cognizance and address it proactively.
Whether it’s improper packaging, delivery outside approved zones, or ID mishandling, exercise a zero-tolerance policy against it. If you fail to take stern action against these issues, your brand will lose credibility and trust. So, never let it happen. Remember, your brand image is in your hands!
Summing Up
Navigating cannabis delivery can be challenging, but staying compliant and efficient paves success. By using advanced routing tech and customer feedback, you can streamline operations.
Moreover, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for violations builds trust and credibility. As you refine your processes, you’ll stand out in a competitive market.
Ready to launch your cannabis delivery business and make it a success?