A Marijuana Dispensary is a cannabis retail store or point of sale. These businesses are licensed by state regulators to sell cannabis and marijuana-based products to consumers that meet state age and purchase restrictions. Dispensaries are often staffed with budtenders who assist customers and patients with product selection, transaction processing, and education. The term “Marijuana Dispensary” can also refer to a cannabis lounge.

Licensed dispensaries are often required to maintain certain inventory levels. These levels are known as par levels, and they help to ensure the business does not run out of product which leads to lost revenue. It’s helpful to have a system that alerts the business when par levels are low so they can order additional product.

Marijuana Dispensary Guide: What to Expect When You Visit

Cannabis products sold at a dispensary may include flowers, edibles, topicals, vapes and more. Consumers can purchase these products in a number of ways, including online or by visiting the physical store. Dispensaries are also required to scan customer IDs before selling them cannabis to ensure they’re 21 or older. The storefront is a popular place to buy cannabis because it allows consumers to experience the product before purchasing it.

In states that require a seed-to-sale tracking system, the beginning inventory at a dispensary is given proper file naming conventions, counted, and entered into the system (Metrc or BioTrack). The process is similar to how other businesses manage their warehouses. For more information, check out this post from Northstar on best practices for inventory compliance.