Retail & Compliance
The Dispensary Compliance Checklist Every Retailer Needs
Avoid fines and license suspensions with this dispensary compliance checklist covering ID checks, inventory reconciliation, security, and advertising rules.
· 5 min read · Cannabis Industry Advisors
Age and identity verification
Sales to minors are among the most serious violations a dispensary can commit. Use ID scanners at check-in, train staff to recognize fake IDs, and document every refusal. Many regulators run compliance checks using underage decoys.
Daily inventory reconciliation
Your physical inventory, POS records, and state track-and-trace system must match. Reconcile daily, investigate variances immediately, and keep records of every adjustment, return, and destruction event.
Security and surveillance
Most states require continuous video recording of all limited-access areas, with footage retained for a set period. Confirm cameras cover every point of sale, the vault, and all entrances, and test your alarm and backup systems regularly.
Advertising and labeling
Cannabis advertising rules restrict health claims, imagery that appeals to minors, and placement near schools. Review every promotion, social post, and in-store sign against state rules, and audit product labels on intake so non-compliant products never reach the shelf.