Why Talking to Local Governments Is Key to Cannabis Success

Cannabis Businesses Hinge On Local Government Approval

One of the most essential aspects of getting your cannabis business up and running is communication with your local government. While regulations can vary from state to state, a constant theme for cannabis business success is some level of local approval. Be it a locality specific license which could have limited license caps or intense zoning restrictions, there are plenty of hurdles which can face prospective cannabis businesses at a local level.

Here are some helpful tips on talking with your local government to make for a smooth cannabis business launch.

When to Start Talking To Local Governments

The sooner the better. If you haven’t started talking to your local government, and you are interested in starting a cannabis business in a specific town or city, now is the time to start! Even if you don’t have a property secured or lined up, it can be in your benefit to get a better understanding of the lay of the land. It’s also crucial that your local officials know who you are and how you’ll operate. Many regions continue to emphasize local entrepreneurship over big business.

Who to Talk To (Office and Person)

There are many people who work in a town or city government, and reaching out to the right person can be a challenge. Especially if a smaller town doesn’t have the most updated website to indicate an appropriate body or individual to contact. While many states have their own dedicated cannabis oversight groups, some are run through existing government departments (such as Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program via the Department of Health). When in doubt, reach out to the town clerk, who, if they are not the one personally overseeing the local licensing process, will likely have the best and most updated information on the local government process for cannabis approval.

What Actions To Take Now

1) Research Municipalities and Feasibility

Now is the time to start researching municipalities. If you have a town or city in mind for your cannabis business, check out their local website to see if they have any resources available for review. If not, dive deeper into meeting agendas or municipal code about past discussions or rules associated with cannabis.

If you don’t have a specific location or have multiple options, compare and contrast these as some municipalities are better to operate in than others. And remember the golden rule of municipal cooperation—zoning does not equal feasibility. Just because a property may be zoned correctly, doesn’t mean that it will actually work for your intended, successful business. And just because a location may be ideal for, say, foot traffic with a retail dispensary, doesn’t mean the zoning will line up accordingly.

2) Get Expert Insight From Canna Advisors

If you need help with local government support or insight, now is the time also to reach out to Canna Advisors to see how we can be of assistance. With decades of experiences winning licenses both nationally and across U.S. territories, we’ve seen just about every type of government interaction possible. From zoning planning to building a communication strategy for local government officials, we can help streamline your cannabis business for future success in your unique municipality.

Contact our team directly or book an hourly consultation today.