5 Things to Consider When Providing Medical Cannabis
Top Insights for Medical Cannabis Businesses
There has been a shift in public perception towards greater acceptance of medical cannabis. Many people now recognize its therapeutic benefits, leading to increased support for medical cannabis programs in the U.S. Today, 38 states have legalized medical cannabis, and 9 others have mixed legalization, allowing for CBD or low-THC oils only, for example. And states like Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina are next in line to see some opportunity for medical cannabis entrepreneurs.
Each state has its own regulatory framework for medical cannabis, including licensing requirements, product safety standards, and guidelines for healthcare professionals who can recommend cannabis. With varying regulations and an ever-changing landscape, here are the top 5 things you should consider when becoming a provider of medical cannabis.
1. Staying Compliant as a Medical Cannabis Business
In a medical cannabis facility, whether the state allows adult-use or not, compliance should be one of your top priorities. Not only does non-compliance result in fines and possibly even the revocation of your license but could also compromise the safety and quality of products that you provide to your patients. Before applying for a license, be sure to research your state’s regulations regarding supply chain, inventory tracking and storage, and allowable cannabis products you may provide. Even after you receive your license, pass a final inspection, and open your doors, remaining compliant will ensure the safety of your product and prepare you for any surprise inspections by your state’s cannabis regulatory body.
2. Educating Your Staff About Qualifying Medical Conditions
The list of qualifying medical conditions varies between states. Conditions such as chronic pain, cancer, epilepsy, and PTSD are commonly included, but specific conditions may differ, impacting the accessibility of medical cannabis for patients.
For medical cannabis businesses, more qualifying conditions means more qualified patients, which means more demand for medical cannabis product types. While it is the healthcare providers’ responsibility to make informed and ethical decisions regarding patient eligibility, medical dispensary employees are still responsible for consulting with patients and providing knowledge on product types. This underscores the importance of ongoing staff trainings and education on qualifying conditions.
3. Understanding Allowable Cannabis Product Types in Your State
Some states permit a wide range of products, including flower, edibles, tinctures, and topicals, while others have more restrictions. For medical cannabis businesses, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the allowable product types in your state and be sure to diversify product offerings, if allowed. Each patient is different, and specific conditions will require different products. Expand your product lines to include alternative cannabis-based products, such as topicals, edibles, or tinctures, if allowed by the state, and research and develop non-THC products, such as CBD-based items, to cater to a broader market. For most medical conditions, the ideal range of potency is 10-15% THC.
4. Ensuring Cannabis Quality and Safe Consumption
For medical cannabis users, safety is paramount. Patients relying on cannabis for therapeutic purposes need assurance that the products they consume are safe, effective, and free from contaminants that could compromise their health. Not only should medical cannabis businesses be compliant with the state’s safety laws, such as testing, quality control, and packaging and labeling, but businesses should also provide accurate information about cannabinoid content and potency to allow patients to make informed decisions.
What can your business do to ensure safety?
Implement safety protocols to promote standardization and consistency in medical cannabis products. Ensure that patients receive products with consistent quality and potency levels, reducing the risk of unexpected effects. Invest in educational programs for employees to raise awareness among patients about the benefits of medical cannabis. And advocate for policies that support patient access to medical cannabis.
5. Working with Cannabis Experts: Get it Right the First Time
While medical cannabis has been around for over 2 decades, the rules and regulations continue to change state by state, year by year. It’s important to have experts in your corner to guide you through compliance and safety regulations while providing education to properly recommend and provide quality cannabis.
Our consultants at Canna Advisors stay informed on all active states, adult-use or medical, and can guide you through the complicated ins and outs of providing medical cannabis to qualified patients. Contact our experts or book an hourly consultation to discuss how to open and remain a compliant, safe, and educated medical business.