For years, cannabis operators have been building real businesses under rules that made profitability feel like a moving target. You could grow, manufacture, and sell successfully, then get hit at tax time and wonder how the math still didn’t work. That frustration almost always came back to one thing, Internal Revenue Code Section 280E.
Now with medicinal cannabis moving to Schedule 3 under the Controlled Substances Act, that pressure is starting to shift. Not disappear completely, not evenly across the board, but shift in a way that actually matters for your bottom line.
Before this change, cannabis operators were taxed under rules designed for illegal drug trafficking. That meant you could not deduct normal business expenses. Payroll, rent, marketing, software, none of it counted the way it would in any other industry.
The only thing you could write off was cost of goods sold, and even that came with strict limitations. So while other businesses paid taxes on profit, cannabis operators were often paying taxes on something closer to gross income. That gap is what crushed margins and made scaling feel risky.
Here is the shift everyone is watching. 280E applies to Schedule I and Schedule II substances. Medical cannabis moving to Schedule 3 means that, for qualifying operators, those restrictions loosen.
For state licensed medical cannabis businesses, this opens the door to deducting standard operating expenses again. That includes the basics that keep your business running day to day. Payroll, rent, marketing, admin costs, all the things that used to sit outside your deductions.
This is not a small improvement. This changes how your P and L looks. It changes how investors evaluate your business. It changes how aggressive you can be with growth.
This is where you need to pay attention, because not everyone gets the same win.
Medical cannabis operators in state licensed programs are the primary beneficiaries. If you are running a medical business that aligns with the new Schedule 3 classification, you are in a position to take advantage of this shift.
Adult use operators are still dealing with the same 280E restrictions for now. So if you are fully recreational, or running a mixed model, you are not getting a clean break. You are dealing with a split reality that has to be managed carefully.
Think about a simple example. Before Schedule 3, you might bring in solid revenue, but after paying for payroll, rent, and operations, your taxable income still looked inflated because you could not deduct those expenses.
Now, if you qualify under Schedule 3, those same expenses reduce your taxable income the way they should. That means less tax burden and more capital staying in the business.
That difference can be the thing that allows you to hire, expand, invest in better systems, or simply operate without constant financial pressure.
This is where things get real for teams on the ground. Getting tax relief sounds straightforward until you realize what it requires operationally.
If you run both medical and adult use, you need clean separation. Inventory, costs, reporting, everything needs to clearly reflect what belongs where. If that line gets blurry, you are opening yourself up to problems.
Financial reporting has to be tight. Not end of month guesswork, not patched together spreadsheets. Clean, real time visibility into what your business is actually doing.
This is the moment where disconnected systems start to slow you down. When tax treatment changes, your systems need to keep up without adding more manual work.
280E relief is not just about saving money, it is about unlocking growth.
When your tax burden comes down, your margins improve. When your margins improve, your ability to reinvest improves. That is how operators move from surviving to actually scaling.
At the same time, the industry is getting more complex, not less. You are dealing with evolving federal oversight, existing state compliance, and now different treatment across parts of your own business.
The operators who handle that complexity without slowing down are the ones who are going to win this next phase.
Cannabis moving to Schedule 3 is one of the most meaningful financial shifts the industry has seen in years. For medical operators, it creates real tax relief. For everyone else, it signals where things are heading.
It also raises the bar. You cannot take advantage of this shift if your data is messy or your systems cannot keep up.
This is exactly the kind of moment 365 Cannabis is built for.
When you need clean separation between medical and adult use, when your financial reporting needs to reflect changing tax treatment, when compliance and operations need to stay in sync, that is where having everything in one system makes a real difference.
If you want to see how operators are handling 280E changes without adding more manual work or risk, take a look at 365 Cannabis. It is a straightforward way to understand what your operation looks like when your numbers, your inventory, and your compliance all line up.
Nebraska is finally moving on medical cannabis.
The state has passed the legislation needed to start building a real program, which means operators are starting to ask the right question. How do you actually get a cannabis license here?
The short answer is you cannot apply yet. But the better answer is this is exactly when you should be getting ready.
Because by the time applications open, the serious players are already built.
In short: not yet.
Nebraska passed Legislative Bill 1235, which gives the Medical Cannabis Commission the funding and authority to build the program. Another bill, Legislative Bill 933, protects physicians who recommend cannabis so patients can actually access it.
Right now, the state is still setting everything up.
That means:
It might feel like a waiting period, but it is really a prep window.
The state has not confirmed license types yet, but early medical programs tend to follow a familiar structure.
You can expect some version of:
Cultivation
Growing cannabis at scale with strict tracking requirements
Processing or manufacturing
Turning raw cannabis into oils, edibles, and other products
Dispensary
Retail locations serving registered patients
There may also be transport or distribution licenses depending on how Nebraska structures the supply chain. Details will follow as the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission begins to organize their operations.
Even though Nebraska has not released the official checklist yet, cannabis licensing does not vary much from state to state.
Most applications will require:
A clear business structure
Who owns the company and how it is funded
A strong operational plan
How you will run your day to day business
A compliance strategy
How you will track inventory, prevent diversion, and follow regulations
Financial backing
Proof you can actually build and sustain the business
Facility details
Where you will operate and how the site meets requirements
These are not quick applications. They take time, planning, and real detail.
Yes. Very.
New markets almost always start with limited licenses. That means more demand than supply right out of the gate.
You will likely see:
Winning a license is not just about having money. It is about looking ready.
Nebraska is still building its program, so there is no official timeline yet.
Based on how other states have rolled out, the process will likely look like this:
First, the commission builds out rules and structure
Then, licensing details are released
After that, applications open
Then comes the review and approval process
This can take months, sometimes longer.
Which is why the smartest move is to start now, not later.
This is the part that separates operators.
Most people wait for applications. The better ones prepare before they exist.
Here is where to focus:
Start shaping your business now
Know what kind of operation you want to run and why
Get your financials in order
You will need proof of funding and stability
Build your compliance plan early
This is one of the most important parts of any application
Think through your location and operations
Even without final rules, you can start building your model
You do not need perfect information to start. You just need direction.
Your systems.
A lot of operators focus on winning a license and forget about what happens after.
New markets move fast once they open. You are expected to track inventory, stay compliant, and manage your financials from day one.
If your systems are not ready, it shows quickly.
That is why more operators are setting up their ERP before entering new states.
With 365 Cannabis, you can manage inventory from cultivation through sale, stay aligned with compliance systems like Metrc, and handle your financials all in one place.
Nebraska is not live yet. That is what makes this the right time to get set up.
You cannot apply for a cannabis license in Nebraska today.
But you can absolutely start positioning yourself to win one.
Nebraska is in build mode right now. That is where early advantages are created.
If you are serious about entering this market, do not wait for the starting line. Get ready before it shows up.
If Nebraska is part of your plan, now is the time to get your foundation in place.
See how 365 Cannabis helps operators stay compliant and ready from day one
https://365cannabis.com/demo
After years of stalled bills and almost-moments, lawmakers have passed legislation that actually moves medical cannabis forward. Not just voter approval sitting there with no follow-through. Not just headlines. This is the step that turns an idea into something real.
If you are watching new markets or thinking about expansion, this is the kind of shift you pay attention to early. Nebraska just moved from maybe to momentum.
The headline bill is Legislative Bill 1235, introduced by State Senator Rick Holdcroft. This is not a full market launch bill. It is the foundation that makes a real program possible.
LB1235 funds the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, gives it authority to set fees, and allows it to generate the revenue needed to operate. That might not sound exciting, but it is the piece Nebraska has been missing.
Voters already approved medical cannabis back in 2024. Patients can legally possess up to five ounces with a doctor’s recommendation, and the state established a commission on paper. What they did not have was the ability to actually build and run the program. This bill is what unlocks that.
There is another piece moving alongside it that is just as important.
Legislative Bill 933, introduced by State Senator John Cavanaugh, focuses on physicians.
It protects doctors who recommend medical cannabis so they are not exposed to criminal, civil, or professional risk. That matters more than people think.
If doctors are hesitant, patients cannot access the program. If patients cannot access the program, the market never really starts. Nebraska is getting ahead of that early, which is a good sign for how the program will function long term.
Nebraska has been in the medical cannabis conversation for over a decade. What makes this moment different is simple. The state is no longer debating whether cannabis should exist. It is starting to build how it will exist. That shift is where markets are born.
Now that the framework is in place, Nebraska moves into execution.
The Medical Cannabis Commission will begin building out the program. That means hiring staff, defining rules, and creating the structure operators will eventually have to work within. Licensing will follow. The state will outline license types, application processes, and compliance requirements. This is where the details start to matter, and where operators should be paying close attention. Nebraska is likely to move carefully, with some back and forth along the way. That is normal for early-stage markets.
The operators who win here are not the ones scrambling when applications open. They are the ones preparing while everyone else is waiting.
This is still early, which is exactly why it matters.
New markets tend to follow a familiar pattern. There is less competition at the start, which creates real opportunity for operators who are ready. At the same time, compliance expectations are usually tight from day one, especially in states building programs from scratch. Nebraska will likely be no different.
You can expect strong oversight, clear reporting requirements, and a focus on patient protection. You can also expect serious attention from multi-state operators who are already looking for their next entry point.
By the time licensing opens, it is already late. A lot of teams focus on winning a license and forget about what happens after. That is where things get messy. New markets expose weak systems fast. You are dealing with compliance tracking, inventory movement, financial reporting, and often multiple entities right out of the gate.
Trying to manage all of that across disconnected tools or spreadsheets does not hold up for long. This is why more operators are getting their ERP foundation in place before entering a new state.
With 365 Cannabis, teams can track inventory from cultivation through sale, stay aligned with compliance systems like Metrc, manage financials in one place, and get reporting that actually supports decision making.
Nebraska is not live yet. That is exactly why this is the window to get ahead.
LB1235 and LB933 are not flashy laws. They are the kind that make everything else possible. Nebraska is officially in build mode, and that is when smart operators start making moves. If expansion is even remotely on your radar, this is one to keep close.
If Nebraska is part of your growth plan, now is the time to get your systems dialed in.
See how 365 Cannabis helps operators stay compliant, scalable, and ready from day one. Click Here for a demo.
Florida lawmakers are taking a closer look at THC infused beverages. House Bill 801, filed for the 2026 legislative session, proposes a new regulatory structure for how these products are licensed, sold, and enforced across the state.
If you have seen headlines about Florida cracking down on THC drinks or are trying to understand whether these products will remain legal, this guide breaks down what HB 801 actually does, who it affects, and what happens next.
Florida House Bill 801 is proposing legislation that would create a formal licensing system for the retail sale of THC infused beverages. The bill was filed on December 17, 2025, and is scheduled for consideration during the 2026 Florida legislative session.
At a high level, HB 801 would give the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco the authority to regulate THC infused drinks in a way that closely mirrors how alcohol is handled today. The goal is to bring structure and enforcement to a product category that has largely operated in a gray area.
If passed, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.
Under the bill, a THC infused beverage is defined as any drink intended for human consumption that contains hemp derived delta 9 THC or any other intoxicating cannabinoid, regardless of whether the beverage is alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
This definition is intentionally broad. It captures seltzers, sodas, mocktails, cocktails, and any other drink that contains intoxicating cannabinoids derived from hemp.
One of the most important changes in HB 801 is the creation of a licensing requirement for businesses that want to sell THC infused beverages.
The bill allows two paths for legal sales:
Only businesses holding one of these licenses would be legally permitted to sell THC infused drinks in Florida. This applies to selling, offering for sale, possessing for sale, or distributing these products at retail.
For businesses that are currently selling THC beverages without an alcohol-related license, this would represent a major shift.
HB 801 treats unlicensed THC beverage sales the same way Florida treats unlicensed alcohol sales.
If a business sells or distributes THC infused beverages without the required license, it would be considered unlicensed activity under Florida beverage law. Enforcement would fall under existing statutes related to alcohol regulation, which can include fines and other penalties.
This is one of the clearest signals in the bill that Florida intends to move THC beverages out of the gray market and into a regulated framework.
The popularity of THC infused beverages has grown rapidly, especially products marketed as hemp derived and federally legal. At the same time, regulators have raised concerns about inconsistent enforcement, consumer safety, and products being sold in venues not traditionally regulated for intoxicants.
HB 801 appears to be Florida’s attempt to balance access with oversight by placing THC beverages under a familiar regulatory system rather than banning them outright.
For businesses, this means clarity, but also responsibility. For consumers, it likely means fewer surprise changes and more consistent standards across the state.
As of now, House Bill 801 has been filed but not passed. The bill will need to move through committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes during the 2026 legislative session.
Until then, the language of the bill could change. Businesses and consumers interested in THC infused beverages should monitor its progress closely, especially as July 1, 2026 approaches.
Florida HB 801 does not ban THC infused beverages. Instead, it proposes a licensing and enforcement structure that treats these products more like alcohol than supplements or novelty items.
If passed, the bill would reshape how THC beverages are sold in Florida, who can sell them, and what compliance looks like going forward. Whether you are a retailer, restaurant owner, or consumer, this is a piece of legislation worth paying attention to.
MJBizCon remains one of the few events that every cannabis operator circles on the calendar. Year after year, the entire industry arrives in Las Vegas to connect, learn, and check the pulse of a rapidly evolving market. This year carried a different tone, yet the energy was still strong and our team walked away feeling inspired. Here is how 365 Cannabis spent the week at MJBizCon.
We presented at our booth on the show floor with our cannabis efficiency team ready to talk operations, finance, cultivation, and compliance. Foot traffic shifted compared to previous years and that was a shared observation from neighboring booths. The crowd felt smaller, but the conversations ran deeper and the people who stopped by were ready to explore real solutions. Many operators wanted to talk about scaling, system consolidation, and ways to improve visibility across their supply chain. One of the highlights came from a group that shared the incredible videos their content team produces. You know who you are and you know how much we loved giggling with you.
Our team was also thrilled to partner with Grasslands for their Supperclub, a curated dinner that brings together global cannabis leaders. We met operators from Europe, Asia, and South America who discussed cross border trends, emerging markets, and what growth looks like outside North America. The Supperclub continues to be one of the most thoughtful and conversation rich events during MJBizCon.
We kept the momentum going the next night at the annual Grasslands party in Downtown Las Vegas. Often described as the warmest room in the city, it remains one of the most anticipated gatherings of the week. We connected with new friends, caught up with familiar faces, and spent time with the Grasslands team who continue to raise the bar for community centered events.
The unofficial after hours destination this year was NuWu, the first cannabis consumption lounge in Las Vegas and one of the largest dispensaries in the world. NuWu features a twenty four hour drive through, a full scale event venue, and a steady rotation of cultural programming. Cannect Hospitality, one of Nevada’s most innovative cannabis event groups, hosted several experiences including a Mike Jones concert, a Fat Nugs Magazine photo activation, and a full night of community, creativity, and good vibes.
MJBizCon delivered once again. We are always grateful for the chance to meet operators, partners, and friends from every corner of the industry. If we missed you in Las Vegas this year, reach out any time so we can continue the conversation here.
Missouri is one of the fastest growing cannabis markets in the United States. As of 2025, Missouri is sitting at 4.6% growth year over year (per Headset). The adult-use market is relatively newer; their recreational market opened in February 2023 but sales have been steady since launch. There are 67 active cultivation licenses in Missouri currently that are all fighting for shelf space and market share, and that's not including the microbusinesses or the licenses yet to be issued. Missouri operators need the right tools to secure a top spot in this fast-moving industry.
Missouri’s state compliance system is Metrc, the leading state cannabis compliance system in the United States. There are many operators who rely on manual entry for tracking plants and products, however manual entry leaves a lot of room for risk. The compliance fees and fines significantly outweigh the cost of trustworthy compliance software. Competitive operators in Missouri are actively looking for cannabis software with an automated metrc integration to avoid manual entry errors. The leading cannabis ERP systems, like 365 Cannabis, are designed with compliance guardrails to ensure users stay within regulations at every step, something we pride ourselves on.
As a company grows, so do their assets and that includes every seed, every gram, every gummy. Having instant access to all products across cultivation, manufacturing, and retail is a non-negotiable for the leading Missouri cannabis operators. Real-time inventory control gives operators instant visibility into every SKU, eliminating blind spots and costly write-offs. The right cannabis software will track take account of everything within the supply chain and production schedule and be able to deliver Available-to-Purchase (ATP) data for sales (and here’s why that's important).
Missouri’s cannabis community is booming and that means more money to manage for operators. Many businesses, cannabis or not, use QuickBooks. That’s a fair tool for some businesses, but it’s not designed or optimized at all for cannabis operators. Cannabis has unique challenges as a federally illegal, state legal, Schedule I substance subject to 280E. Outside of the QuickBooks limitations, due to cannabis being federally illegal, they do reserve the right to not support any cannabis enterprises, even fully legal and licensed ones. We’ve seen reported issues with QuickBooks as early as 2015 of entire financial recording software locked overnight. While QuickBooks does often turn a blind eye, they overall do not serve the needs of the cannabis community. ERP platforms have financial systems built into place that serve two functions- eliminating the need for third party financials like QuickBooks and integrating all efforts to ensure financial data is accurate. The 365 Cannabis financial module for example pulls financial data in from all sales, all purchases, all invoices, everywhere that touches the business to ensure every penny is accounted for. Native financial functions reduce the opportunity for human error and ensure every spend and every sale is accounted for.
Missouri’s cannabis market is still relatively young, which means consumer behavior is evolving quickly. Operators who rely only on historic sales data risk missing major shifts in category demand. Advanced analytics provide real-time visibility into product performance, costs, and margins, helping operators pivot quickly and stay ahead of competitors. Dashboards powered by tools like Microsoft’s Power BI allow businesses to identify growth categories, spot inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions with confidence. In a fast-moving market, analytics are the difference between reacting to trends and leading them.
Missouri cannabis operators are competing in one of the most dynamic markets in the country. Success in Missouri’s cannabis market demands excellence in compliance, product visibility, accuracy, finance, and control across the entire business. ERP built for cannabis, like 365 Cannabis, combines compliance, inventory, financials, and analytics into one platform designed for growth.
If you’re ready to scale your Missouri cannabis operation, schedule a demo with 365 Cannabis and see how ERP can help you lead the market.
Missouri’s cannabis industry is growing fast. Since adult-use launched in February 2023, operators have seen record sales. Missouri quickly became the fifth largest recreational market in the country. Along with those stellar sales came tighter margins, complex compliance rules, and new financial challenges. Many Missouri cannabis businesses are searching for cannabis software that goes beyond a Metrc integrated seed-to-sale and supports their growth.
We're proud to say that 365 Cannabis is heading to MJ Unpacked St. Louis this September to help Missouri operators find the right solution to manage compliance, finance, and operations in one seamless system.
Basic tools handle compliance, but Missouri operators need more to stay competitive:
Competitive cannabis operators are looking for ERP solutions that streamline efforts across facilities. ERP eliminates the need for third party finance solutions, like QuickBooks, and aligns efforts with more detailed data reporting.
With 365 Cannabis ERP, Missouri operators get:
This all-in-one approach saves time, reduces compliance risks, and prepares Missouri operators to scale.
We’re excited to connect with Missouri’s cannabis leaders at MJ Unpacked St. Louis. Come visit us at booth 337 at MJ Unpacked this September and say hi, or book time with us outside of the conference.
Book a demo with 365 Cannabis and see why Missouri operators are upgrading to ERP for compliance, finance, and growth.
It was announced on August 5, 2025 that state regulatory systems, Metrc and BioTrack, would be strategically partnering on cannabis technological solutions. This acquisition between the two dominant state systems sees Metrc focusing on managing state regulations and BioTrack relinquishing their state regulatory contracts and focusing on their ERP and POS systems. This partnership has also spawned BT Government, which will oversee the government end of BioTrack’s existing state contracts.
Let’s look at what that means for cannabis operators.
BioTrack’s state partnerships are now wihtin the Metrc umbrella. Currently, BioTrack manages state compliance systems for:
Illinois was previously a BioTrack state, but began onboarding all operators to Metrc earlier in 2025, citing the desire to utilize Metrc’s “RFID technology that offers real-time visibility into product movement—from cultivation to sale.” They elaborated on the switch by stating that “this switch allows regulators and businesses alike to reduce manual data entry, track compliance more accurately, and respond faster to discrepancies or recalls.”
As of July 1, 2025, Illinois is officially a Metrc state.
As of the Metrc/BioTrack announcement, there are no public plans to move BioTrack states off of BioTrack and onto Metrc. These contracts, however, are owned by Metrc and the move from BioTrack to Metrc is a reasonable possibility.
To assist with the acquisition, BioTrack’s state regulation branch has been segmented into its own entity, BT Government. BT Government, as stated by Metrc, “will support the delivery of regulatory technology to state partners.” The BT Government division be overseen by BioTrack’s current Chief Operating Officer, Moe Afaneh, while still being connected to Metrc via the acquisition. In the interim, BT Government operating somewhat independently will allow Metrc and BioTrack to work together managing the existing BioTrack state regulatory contracts.
Within the Metrc press release it is stated that “BioTrack will expand its focus on commercial cannabis solutions, including ERP and POS platforms.” BioTrack currently operates the cannabis ERP system Alleaves and had acquired MJ Freeway in 2024. Interestingly, MJ Freeway has been the state regulatory system for Pennsylvania since 2017. Pennsylvania operators have expressed issues with the platform, which may lead to changes on the horizon especially as their adult-use bills get closer to realization.
New York is a unique situation because it was currently in the process of onboarding operators to BioTrack’s Seed-to-Sale system for operator regulation. In November 2024, New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) stated that they were preparing for the mandatory intergration of BioTrack for cannabis license holders. The original timeline saw all New York operators being fully integrated between August 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025.
On August 5, 2025, the same day the press release was issued by Metrc, the OCM announced that the BioTrack integration deadlines are paused. Their bulletin to all New York cannabis license holders stated that they “must evaluate systems implications for both the agency and licensees and determine the extent to which this development affects STS (Seed-to-Sale) integration in New York.”
Metrc currently operates in the following states:
Through the BioTrack acquisition, we do not anticipate these states experiencing any changes to their regulatory system or practices.
For now, this acquisition does not change any day to day operations for any cannabis license holders.
For our 365 Cannabis partners, our team is hyper-vigilant to all changes in the industry and are constantly ensuring that every step our partners take is within current compliance. No matter what turns the industry may take, 365 Cannabis customers always receive the best possible support to ensure their success.
To learn more about 365 Cannabis’s commitment to excellence in cannabis, please reach out to our team.
The cannabis industry has done a lot of growing up in the last few years, even more so in the last few months. Using strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities, large cannabis enterprises are crossing state lines and building business plans with global growth in mind.
With the largest cannabis conglomerates creating a presence in key markets like Canada, Germany, South Africa, and Colombia, it's become evident that the time is now to prepare for trade across international borders before it’s too late.
Canada’s status as the first G7 country to fully legalize adult-use cannabis has given a handful of cannabis companies the opportunity to create global relationships and begin wholesale transactions internationally.
Because of its first-to-legalize advantage, there is a great deal of speculation around Canada’s potential to be a production giant for international cannabis trade. While there’s still time, cannabis is becoming more widely accepted and legalized, forcing Canada to move quickly.
It will likely be another few years before US companies are given the opportunity to export internationally, let alone state-to-state. But many are starting to prepare for the inevitable long before it arrives. A few large enterprises already have the funding, the global infrastructure, and the momentum they need to start crossing borders as soon as cannabis is legal at the federal level.
Once opportunity is open to the masses, the biggest differentiator will come down to strategy and execution.
While it may seem like Canada has plenty of time to become the global export powerhouse, it’s crucial to move quickly and take advantage before other markets legalize.
Similarly, if US cannabis operators wait for federal legality before getting their infrastructure in place, they’re already years behind. Proper execution is business-critical from an infrastructure and process approach to have the capability to “flip the switch”.
How quickly can you obtain the proper export and import permits for both the producer and/or retail distributors?
Do you have cost-efficient and sustainable logistics in place to produce and transport product?
Where do you establish facilities internationally that will yield the most ROI?
Regardless of where your market expansion takes you, the costs of doing business will quickly come to light. To ensure you’re ahead of the competition and maximizing ROI, make sure you have a bullet-proof strategy with data-driven execution to enter your preferred market(s).
Currently, US operators are at the mercy of their local cannabis laws and producers. Federally legal cannabis in the US will shift the entire domestic market, with retailers given the opportunity to shop across state lines and naturally looking for the most cost-effective provider.
More so, global imports will increase competition while driving costs down even further. This will be great for retailers and consumers but can put a major strain on cannabis cultivators and processors.
For example, a dispensary in Denver will be able to get product that is comparable in quality from somewhere like South Africa or Colombia for a lower cost than it could get if it was produced around the block.
Inevitably, the competition for cannabis production is going to increase significantly with cost being one of the biggest driving factors.
Keeping your corner of the legal market is important, but if you’ve set your sights on the global cannabis market it’s time to start planning. To ensure you are setting your business up for success, it’s important to do your research, build a comprehensive strategy, and be ready to execute quickly.
For most cannabis supporters, October represents more than cool temperatures and the start of fall. It is also a weed harvest season, AKA Croptober! This is the time of the year where outdoor farmers from across North America harvest their premium, sun-grown bud and begin to prepare it for the cannabis market to enjoy.
For outdoor growers, the benefits of Croptober are obvious. Since most North American outdoor cultivators start their growing process around the Spring Equinox (mid-spring), October is the season where all the hard work they’ve put in for the last 3-4 months finally yields results.
According to Weedmaps, “about 80% to 85% of cannabis varietals are ready to harvest during the traditional October cycle.” Once harvested, this cannabis is ready to be dried, cured and sold/processed.
Although Croptober is an amazing time for outdoor growers, it also comes with its fair share of risks.
The most obvious danger is the unpredictable weather conditions throughout the harvest calendar. Though the summer months are predictable in most of North America, fall weather is not as easy to forecast. Unsuspected monsoons or winter storms could delay your harvest, damage your plants, or even destroy your crops.
Keeping an eye on weather conditions and properly protecting your plants with trellis netting, drainage systems, etc. could be the difference between a bountiful harvest season and a catastrophe.
During this peak harvest window, it is also important to remember that you are not the only outdoor cultivator that is preparing to sell your flower. Competition is most going to be stiff. Therefore, it is important to quickly harvest your bud and prepare it for drying and curing.
To assist with post-harvest activities, companies often seek help from technology companies to automate processes, identify bottlenecks, and minimize human error. Getting your flower on the market quickly will give you a huge edge over your competition.
Indoor growers do not have the same positive attitude regarding Croptober as their outdoor counterparts. Due to the large amounts of processed flower on the market, indoor growers are forced to reduce their prices to stay competitive.
In an article from Benzinga, an experienced cultivator notes, “The massive influx of outdoor-grown cannabis could cause the market price of a pound to drop by $400 to $500.”
Although this could still be a problem for indoor cultivators in October, these temporary price changes are made up for by a consistent harvesting schedule throughout the year.
Indoor cultivators also benefit from a more predictable, controlled environment, so their risk of losing entire crops to bad weather conditions is mitigated.
Regardless of the way you grow cannabis, it is important to have the right technology in place to track and manage your plants, maintain compliance, and speed up your processes.
This is where cannabis ERP, 365 Cannabis can step in and ensure that you reap the full benefits of Croptober and the rest of your cultivation operation year-round. 365 Cannabis comes equipped with functionality tailored to fit the unique needs of cannabis cultivators. This allows your business to reduce or eliminate manual processes, increase efficiencies, and focus on growth.
If you would like to see how 365 Cannabis can make your Croptober a successful month, request a demo to see more!
