Opening a cannabis dispensary requires clear, actionable procedures to ensure a smooth and compliant start to the business day. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) help staff understand their roles, streamline operations, and maintain regulatory standards. A strong opening routine not only sets the tone for the day but also prevents costly errors and improves customer experience.
Every team member, from budtenders to managers and security personnel, plays a vital role in preparing the store. Consistency is key—following a structured opening checklist ensures that inventory, registers, security systems, and personnel are all in order before doors open.
In this blog post, we will outline the key steps for the entire team to follow each morning, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and professional opening process.
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Essential Dispensary Opening Tasks for Budtenders and Receptionists:
✔️ Retail Floor Setup and Merchandising
- Ensure all display cases and product shelves are clean and organized.
- Organize cannabis products into clear categories for easy navigation.
- Cross-merchandise complementary products to encourage upselling.
- Use visuals and seasonal themes to create an inviting experience.
- Tidy the lobby and set the desired atmosphere.
- If using background music, select an appropriate playlist and volume.
✔️ Test your Equipment and Hardware
Testing equipment before opening ensures a seamless customer experience and prevents interruptions during sales. If your dispensary offers omnichannel sales through your cannabis point of sale system, your technology setup plays a vital role in maintaining a connected, efficient workflow.
- Scanners and Printers: Test all barcode scanners and receipt printers to ensure they are functioning properly.
- POS Systems: Power on and log into all POS stations, verifying software updates and proper connectivity.
- iPads for Kiosk Mode: Confirm that the correct menu is displayed, and the devices are fully charged.
- Floating iPads for Budtenders: Log into roaming devices and ensure they are fully charged.
- In-Store TV Menus: Power on TV displays and confirm they are showing the current menu with accurate pricing.
- Walkie-Talkies: Turn on and test radios to confirm internal staff communication channels are clear.
- Internet Connection: Verify stable Wi-Fi or LAN connectivity to prevent system outages.
- Payment Terminals: Turn on and connect all card readers.
Meadow’s Point of Sale system supports Kiosk Mode, floating iPads, and in-store TV menus, all designed to enhance the shopping experience.
💡 Learn more about the benefits of omnichannel sales in our blog: Omnichannel Sales: The Value of a Connected Dispensary POS for Growth.
✔️ Inventory Review and Quick Restocking
No-one wants to wait to purchase an item that you need to grab from back of house.
Keeping the sales floor fully stocked ensures a smooth shopping experience and maximizes sales opportunities. Customers expect quick access to products without delays, so prioritizing front-of-house inventory is essential.
- Restock products that are visibly low on shelves.
- Prioritize restocking your most popular products.
- Ensure promotional items are accessible.
- Confirm displays are neat and organized to enhance the customer shopping experience.
💡 Learn more about dispensary inventory management with Meadow.
✔️ Daily Deals and Product Knowledge
- Review the current product menu: Identify new items, slow movers, and products added since your last shift. Ask questions if anything is unclear.
- Prepare for today's daily specials: Know what deals are running and be ready to promote them.
- Update promotional boards or digital displays with accurate information.
- Verify that all discounts and promotions are correctly set up in the POS.
- Check for new social media posts or email campaigns highlighting specials or promotions beyond daily deals.
- Be aware of any vendor promotions or bundle offers that can be shared with customers.
✔️ Get Ready for Customers!
Pour that cup of coffee and get mentally prepared for a busy, fun, energetic sales day! Customer service is tough work, but with the right tools and mindset, your budtending team can drive sales for your business with something as little as a smile.
Essential Dispensary Opening Tasks for the General Manager:
✔️ Conduct a Team Huddle
A quick team huddle sets the tone for the day, ensuring everyone is informed, motivated, and aligned with sales goals. Use this time to share updates, address questions, and build team morale.
- Review today’s goals, promotions, and any new SOPs.
- Provide updates on deals, new products, schedule changes, or upcoming events.
- Motivate the team and align them with sales objectives.
- Consider a daily sales competition to motivate your staff. Rewards can vary from cash to product samples.
✔️ Open Registers and Confirm any Cash Handling Procedures
Proper cash management is essential for a smooth opening. Confirm that each register is ready for transactions and that your team is following established procedures.
- Ensure all cash registers are stocked with change and bills.
- Double count starting balances.
- Delegate this task or personally verify each register.
✔️ Review Sales and Adjust Staffing
Analyzing sales trends helps you optimize staffing to meet demand and control labor costs. Use your reporting tools to staff efficiently and maximize profitability.
- Assign break times to each staff member.
- Assign or ensure there is available coverage for staff breaks.
- Adjust staffing based on peak and slow times as needed. Cut staff before their break if they are not needed.
- Utilize slow periods for drawer drops or shift transitions.
Learn more about How Dispensaries Can Turn Data into More Revenue
💡 Use Meadow’s reporting and analytics suite to review previous sales data.
✔️ Manage Inventory Levels
After budtenders complete a light restock, the inventory manager should conduct a deeper review to ensure proper stock levels and address purchasing needs.
Use analytics to monitor trends and make data-driven decisions that keep inventory optimized and customers satisfied.
- Review Budtender Restock: Confirm that the front-of-house restock is complete and shelves are properly stocked. Address any gaps immediately.
- Check Top-Selling Products: Use your point of sale system’s Inventory Management software to ensure popular items are in stock.
- Update Inventory Manager Priorities: Set restock priorities for the Inventory team based on current trends and sales velocity.
- Communicate with Retail Staff: Share insights on which products to push and highlight items that need more visibility on the sales floor.
✔️ Be Present on the Retail Floor
Your presence on the floor boosts team morale and allows you to address issues in real time. Leading by example fosters a positive workplace culture.
- Unlock the door!
- Confirm your radio is on.
- Support your team by being visible and available during opening hours.
- Conduct quick check-ins to gauge staff needs and maintain morale.
- Provide on-the-spot training and delegate tasks effectively.
- Shift your focus to lower-priority tasks once the team is settled.
Essential Dispensary Opening Tasks for the Head of Security:
✔️ Security Systems Check
- Verify that all security cameras and alarms are working properly.
- Schedule maintenance immediately if any issues are found.
- Confirm that all customer entry points are secure, and exit or employee entrances are locked.
- Ensure compliance with local security regulations requiring controlled access and video surveillance.
✔️ Overnight Security Review
- Inspect the property for signs of suspicious activity or vandalism from the previous night.
- Review camera footage if anything appears unusual.
✔️ Staff Readiness and Security Procedures
- Review protocols for handling difficult customers and preventing theft.
- Conduct quick training or drills to ensure the team is aligned on security responses.
- Share real-world scenarios from other dispensaries to reinforce preparedness.
✔️ Team Security Briefing
Conduct a security briefing with all employees before opening:
- Reinforce best practices for customer and staff safety.
- Review emergency procedures and protocols.
💡 Read about the 7 Ways to Protect Your Cannabis Dispensary From Break-Ins
Essential Dispensary Opening Tasks for the Delivery Manager:
✔️ Delivery Order Preparation
- Pack any orders that came in overnight from your Online Menu.
- Confirm all delivery orders that were packed previously for today are correctly assembled.
- Confirm your Delivery Request Receipts are printed and assigned to each bag.
✔️ Vehicle Readiness
Inspect all delivery vehicles for readiness:
- Ensure vehicles are in good condition and fueled.
- Confirm necessary security measures are in place.
- Verify all required documentation is in the vehicle.
✔️ Route Planning and Dispatch
- Review and plan delivery routes for efficiency.
- Contact customers with an ETA.
💡 Use Meadow’s integration with Onfleet to streamline dispatching, tracking, and SMS communications for customers. Learn more about cannabis delivery software.
✔️ Prepare Driver Kits for Express Operations
Driver kits are essential for efficient express delivery operations, ensuring drivers are equipped and ready to fulfill orders promptly. Here’s how to prepare them:
- Transfer inventory: Move inventory from your Backstock location to the Driver Kit using Meadow’s POS system.
- Check equipment: Ensure all hardware required for express operations, such as mobile POS devices and scanners, is functional and charged.
What is your delivery model? Meadow offers both hub-and-spoke or express delivery models in our comprehensive and fully-integrated delivery platform, providing a seamless experience that will help you expand territorially while reducing labor costs.
💡 Learn more about the recent increase in Delivery Trunk Sizes in California.
✔️ Create your Delivery Ledger before hitting the road.
As of April 1, 2023, California cannabis delivery operators must create a Metrc inventory delivery ledger before the vehicle can legally leave the licensed premises with unsold or pre-sold inventory. Learn more about this Important Regulatory Update: New California Cannabis Delivery Ledger Requirements & Steps for Compliance
- Create your Delivery Ledger before departing for your first trip.
- Ensure the retail value of the cannabis within the vehicle is below $10k.
- Depart your Delivery Ledger once you leave the licensed premises.
Essential Dispensary Opening Tasks for the Inventory and Compliance Team:
✔️ Conduct a Physical Inventory Count
Complete a small cycle count or prepare for the next full count to maintain cannabis compliance with the DCC. California cannabis retail operators must conduct full inventory counts at least every 30 days to reconcile physical inventory with POS and Metrc records. Your POS should include tools to assist with efficient cycle counts and audits.
- Perform a small cycle count by brand or category. Otherwise prepare for a monthly full count.
- Use your POS tools for efficient blind counting.
- Organize the stockroom for quick daily audits or a full inventory count.
✔️ Complete a Full Restock
Compare live inventory levels on the retail floor with backstock and transfer products as needed to prepare for a busy sales day. Your POS should allow quick and easy transfers between inventory locations.
- Compare live retail inventory with backstock levels using your POS.
- Transfer inventory to the sales floor through your POS system.
- Ensure shelves are fully stocked with top-performing products.
✔️ Review the Product Delivery Schedule
Stay on top of incoming deliveries from distributors to better plan the day and manage time effectively. Knowing the delivery schedule helps inventory managers organize their workload.
- Check how many deliveries are expected and their arrival times.
- Use the schedule to plan time for inventory tasks between deliveries.
- Coordinate with the receiving team to streamline deliveries.
✔️ Review Low Inventory Products
Help the purchasing manager stay ahead of inventory needs by using your POS analytics tools to identify low-stock items. Proactively reordering prevents stockouts and ensures customer demand is met.
- Use your POS analytics or reporting tool to identify products needing reorders.
- Review top performers and their reorder dates.
- Assist the purchasing manager in placing orders.
✔️ Print Product Labels or Continue Labeling Delivered Products
Proper product labeling ensures accurate inventory tracking and faster sales transactions. Printing and applying labels early prevents discrepancies and keeps inventory organized.
- Print product labels for the day’s sales.
- Label newly delivered products from the previous day.
💡 Learn more about common causes of inventory inaccuracies: 5 Reasons Your Dispensary Inventory is Inaccurate
Conclusion
Opening a dispensary requires a well-organized team and clear daily procedures to ensure smooth operations. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are essential for guiding staff, streamlining tasks, and maintaining a high level of customer service. With a solid set of SOPs in place, dispensary teams can boost productivity, reduce mistakes, and deliver a consistent, professional experience. Establishing and following these procedures is key to running a successful dispensary in a competitive cannabis market.
Continue reading The Meadow Blog:
- Cannabis Dispensary SOPs: Closing Procedures Checklist
- What to Expect during a DCC Inspection: Insights from Off the Charts San Francisco
- Driving Growth with Meadow’s Dispensary Software: Elevate’s Success Story
Power Your Dispensary with Meadow’s All-in-One POS Solution
Running a successful dispensary starts with the right tools and processes. Meadow’s all-in-one cannabis POS system empowers your team with everything they need to open efficiently, stay compliant, and drive sales—from inventory management and real-time reporting to seamless delivery operations and customer engagement tools.
With Meadow, you’ll have a trusted partner that helps you streamline workflows, maximize productivity, and create an exceptional customer experience—all from one easy-to-use platform.
