Marijuana Business Magazine

124 • Marijuana Business Magazine • November / December 2017 by Bart Schaneman F asten your seatbelts – it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Take it from cannabis indus- try veterans in other states who have already gone through the ordeal: Don’t expect smooth sailing as California transitions from medical marijuana to recreational sales. What should you expect? • Long lines if you’re a medical can- nabis dispensary gearing up for rec sales. • Customers who have lots of questions. • A demand surge that lasts longer than just the first couple of days after adult-use sales kick off, which could create a supply squeeze. Marijuana business owners – from growers and retailers to lawyers and test- ing labs – also should expect the adult-use rules to change over time.The initial regulations are likely to evolve as the rec program develops and policymakers work out the inevitable kinks that will emerge. As those regulations evolve, MJ busi- ness operators should remain flexible and be prepared to adapt. Moreover, entrepreneurs must aggressively stay on top of the changes. “Be prepared. Be ahead of the game. Be compliant,” said Frank Falconer, managing member of Denver Con- sulting Group. Falconer worked with an infused product company when C alifornia D reamin' California MMJ businesses preparing for recreational sales must prepare for a surge in demand, changing regulations and numerous other bumps One of The Clinic's Denver cannabis retail locations. Photo courtesy of The Clinic ROUGH ROAD AHEAD