Legalization is on the horizon and many people are asking themselves: How can I become a cannabis dealer? Where do I have to register?
So let’s imagine you want to launch a cannabis brand or a cannabis product line. How should you proceed? Where do you need to register? How do you get your first sales? Do you need social media?
We take a closer look at a few points and provide a rough roadmap for becoming a successful cannabis retailer.
1. legal conditions for becoming a cannabis dealer
It is currently not even possible to register in any way, let alone sell cannabis containing THC.
However, one can already guess what conditions and licenses are attached to the trade in cannabis. These will most likely look like this:
Business as a cannabis dealer
As this is a self-employed business, it must be registered. Registration is relatively simple and does not cost much.
Certificate of good conduct
The certificate of good conduct will most likely have to be submitted and it is not at all clear how the entries will be assessed. better have a clean slate.
Licensed wholesalers
The goods must be purchased exclusively from licensed wholesalers. A license as a dealer or coffee shop is not required.
Safe storage
They must be stored securely and in a controlled manner, for example in safes.
Regulated sale of cannabis
The quantity is determined at state level and may not exceed the specified value.
Advertising ban
Compliance with the advertising ban is assumed.
Social concepts
In addition, the presentation of a concept for the prevention of addiction and the protection of minors.
Access control
The sale may only be made with proof of age.
Advice for staff
Sales staff must be trained to recognize customers with risky consumption patterns, for example.
Like any other trade, certain conditions must be met. However, these also serve to ensure quality and help to satisfy the end consumer with high-quality products.
2. know your target group
The cannabis industry is about to boom, which means there will be many brands, many ideas and a lot of competition.
One of the most effective ways to ensure the success of a brand or product is to clearly define and focus on the target group.
Are you targeting men or women? How old are they? How much money can they spend on your product? Where do they live? Do they have children? Why might your product be useful or interesting to them? What could be the reason they choose your product over your competitor’s product?
Ask yourself as many questions as possible about your target group. This will allow you to find out the real selling points for your product and assess even better whether your product will attract interest or not. Offer a product that people actually want or need. Introspection is key. Analysis and strategy are crucial.
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3. become a creative cannabis dealer
Similarly, innovation will play a major role in the cannabis market. The idea of using CBD as a means to treat, relax or heal the body is timely. The market is modern and the target audience is forward-thinking, which means they expect you to be even more so. The more innovative you can be with the design and function of your product, or even with the experience it offers, the more successful you will be.
4. invest in a few social media benchmarks
Regardless of how incredible your idea is, how many years you’ve been in the cannabis/hemp industry or how much money you can put into your CBD project, social media benchmarks are a must.
Not only can you use them to take a look at the competition, but also to check out the marketing and branding efforts of related industries. If you’re working on an edible CBD product, take a closer look at coffee brands. CBD skincare lines could learn a lot from world-renowned cosmetic brands or small organic lotions.
Examine the use of hashtags, the frequency of posts, the artistry, the graphic style, the tone of voice, the platforms on which brands post, the way they encourage interaction with their followers and the relationship between posts to product, education and lifestyle. Look at different brands so you can make comparisons and get a feel for potential gaps in the market.
It’s also a good idea to focus on benchmarks at least twice a year, sometimes with the same brands, to observe how brand communications evolve over time.
If you are looking for support in the area of social media, we at 420MKT can help you and increase your reach in the long term.
Social media contact
Käthe Fische is the managing director of büroblond and an expert in the field of social media.
With her expertise and her team behind her, she supports clients all over the world and leads them to success.
Contact us at
hi@420mkt.com
5. marketing and branding
There are some marketing elements you can cut back on or leave out depending on your budget, but without exception, all brands need a solid website with a straightforward buying process.
A carefully crafted social media plan that is both creative and strategic is also essential. Any brand without these marketing fundamentals is at a severe disadvantage from the outset.
In this context, we believe that emerging cannabis brands can learn a lot from brands already established in the wellness industry.
6. feedback
So you’re compliant, you’ve developed a product or product line that offers an innovative solution to the consumer, you’ve done your benchmarks and invested both time and money in branding and marketing efforts, but now you need to find ways to connect directly with your target audience.
Surveys, competitions, discounts and giveaways via social media will prove effective. You can also use online communication to invite your followers to try your product in exchange for a review. It’s also important to attend local and national industry events to connect with consumers in person. Use these opportunities to learn more about what the average consumer is looking for.
If you are thinking of becoming a cannabis retailer, please do so with the right intention. If you need support with marketing challenges, please contact us.
Contact person / initial consultation
Ingo Lembke is an online marketing consultant with a focus on search engine optimization (SEO) and content management.
As a graphic and web designer with programming experience, he also advises on a technical and design level.
Contact
0157 37 58 57 35 // hi@420mkt.com
