By As a still young industry, many are familiar with the strict compliance protocols that come with cannabis today. To do so, you must comply with a set of regulations enforced by state cannabis authorities.
Data published in journals addictive behavior shed new light on how well pharmacies are complying with these regulations, and finally, adult-oriented retailers in five U.S. cities are asking patrons to provide identification and proof of legal age. I have found that I have strictly complied with the law that requires you to present a
“As cannabis retail expands in the United States, its oversight is essential to inform regulation and protect consumers. We address this need by conducting POS audits that examine strategy, products, and pricing,” the authors state in their abstract.
Cannabis Compliance: Identity Verification, Warning Signs, Minor Appeals
A team of investigators affiliated with the Milken Institute of Public Health at George Washington University conducted POS audits of 150 randomly selected recreational dispensaries (30 in each city) in Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Portland, and Seattle. It was conducted. Investigators said he conducted the audit in the summer of 2022.
Age verification rates are high at over 90%, with the majority of retailers having signs indicating restricted access (87.3%), onsite consumption (73.3%), and distribution to minors (53.3%). I was. Retailers were also more likely to post warnings about cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation (72%), followed by health risks (38%), effects on children/young people (18.7%) and DUI (14%). %) followed.
Conversely, 28.7% posted health claims about cannabis, 20.7% posted “youth-oriented billboards” and 18% had products in “youth-oriented packaging.”
Other signage, marketing and product findings
The study also examined other information pharmacies commonly posted and sold in stores. Price promotions were very popular, especially price specials (75.3%), followed by daily, weekly and monthly specials (66.7%) and signage about membership programs (39.3%).
A quarter of the stores had signage or promotions advertising in-store delivery/pickup (28%) and/or online ordering (25.3%). Social media and website promotions were allowed in 64.7% of audited stores.
Finally, researchers took a closer look at the selection of products offered by retailers. Most cannabis products were most frequently e-liquids (38%) or oils (24.7%), with foods (53%) most frequently appearing as the least effective products.
The most expensive products were buds and flowers (58%). Joints (54%) were the cheapest. Over 81% of his retailers sold glassware such as vaporizers, rolling papers, hookahs, water pipes and cylinders. 22.6% sold CBD products.
Results reflect historical compliance data
“Marketing strategies differed across cities, reflecting state-specific regulatory differences and compliance/enforcement gaps,” the investigators wrote. “The findings highlight the need for continued cannabis retail oversight to inform future regulatory and enforcement efforts.”
Commenting on the findings, Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, initially stressed that “regulation works.”
“Illegal marijuana providers don’t ask for or verify ID, but licensed companies definitely do,” Armentano wrote in NORML. blog post“The state’s real-world experience with marijuana legalization confirms that these policies can be implemented in ways that provide regulated access for adults while at the same time limiting access and misuse by young people.”
The age verification figures are consistent with previous studies. Specifically, his 2022 study, which focused on the California market, found that dispensing pharmacies were highly compliant with ID policies, with 100 It was found to be 100% compliant.
“Licensed California recreational marijuana dispensaries appear to avoid selling marijuana to underage customers. One reason is that recreational marijuana dispensary owners and managers , can be a powerful incentive to avoid being closed for illegal activity,” the authors wrote.
The study also explores whether underage patrons attempt to enter cannabis retail stores with fake IDs and whether underage patrons are obtaining cannabis from illegal pharmacies or other sources. suggesting that it is necessary.
preliminary report A report issued by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Agency in August 2022 found that of more than 190 compliance checks involving underage operatives, four companies in the state sold to minors, and 98 We also found that it showed a % compliance rate.
