You got your license—congratulations! Now comes the hard part.
Opening a dispensary isn’t just about having your paperwork in order. It’s about proving—on Day One—that your team, systems, and operations are fully prepared to meet regulatory, financial, and customer demands.
To open successfully in 2025, you’ll need to lock in your SOPs, train staff, integrate METRC, secure insurance, and coordinate cash, product, and marketing—before your inspection. And once you pass, the clock starts fast.
This checklist walks you through every step—pre- and post-inspection—so you can launch with confidence and avoid costly missteps.
Before Inspection: What You Need to Open a Dispensary
Hire and Train Your Dispensary Staff 2 Weeks Before Inspection
Your inspection is designed to confirm your dispensary could open immediately after. That means your full team should already be trained and ready to go.
- Hire all key staff at least 2–3 weeks prior to inspection
- Conduct comprehensive training on POS, METRC/API usage, purchase limits, and ID checks
- Walk through SOPs for opening/closing, customer service, incident reporting, and restricted access
- Introduce your assigned state agent to key staff members—relationship-building here can matter
Set Up POS and Connect It to METRC Now
This is one of the most common failure points during dispensary inspection—don’t leave it to the last minute
- Choose your POS (e.g., Dutchie, Treez, Blaze) and complete installation
- Integrate it with your state’s track-and-trace system (e.g., METRC) and issue API keys
- Upload product SKUs, pricing, and tax configurations
- Run simulations of medical and recreational transactions, print labels, and scan products
⚠️ If your POS or METRC sync fails during inspection, you won’t be cleared to open.
Finalize SOPs and Compliance Documents
Have both state-required and internal SOPs finalized and accessible
- State-mandated SOPs typically include security, cash handling, restricted access, and visitor protocols
- Internal SOPs should cover daily operations like opening/closing procedures, team scheduling, cleaning, and vendor interactions
- Print and post your emergency exits, surveillance logs, certificate of operation, and floor plans
Get Insurance and Set Up Cash Handling
Secure financial protection and a safe workflow for cash early in your dispensary buildout.
- General liability and property insurance should be active before contractors begin work
- Product liability activates once inventory arrives on-site
- Install two drop safes: one for daily drawer use, one for deposits
- Set up a cash pickup service (e.g., with your banking provider) and install an ATM
- Consider smart safes that count and credit deposits directly to your account
Prepare Your Facility and Retail Floor
Appearances—and compliance—matter.
- Complete your dispensary buildout with displays, signage, lighting, and menu boards
- Order display packaging from vendors and prep product education materials
- Ensure cleanliness and professional presentation; inspectors will notice the details
Launch Loyalty and Marketing Tools
Have your dispensary’s customer engagement tools ready on Day One.
- Launch a loyalty platform like Alpine IQ or Springbig
- Set up email/SMS capture at checkout
- Make sure your website is live and integrated with your POS
- Claim and verify your Google Business Profile
Summary: What to Do Before and After Dispensary Inspection
- Train your staff at least 2 weeks before inspection
- Set up your POS, METRC, and financial systems early
- Finalize SOPs and internal procedures
- Activate insurance and cash-handling protocols
- Prepare your retail space and label products
- Launch loyalty, marketing, and Google presence
- Order inventory and simulate transactions immediately post-inspection
After Inspection: What Happens Next?
Order Dispensary Inventory Immediately
Once you pass inspection, place your first product orders right away. Vendors often take time to onboard new clients.
- Have contracts or terms pre-negotiated with suppliers
- Set up payments in advance and coordinate delivery timelines
- Ensure your storage area is organized and secure
Test All Systems Before Opening Day
Use the time between inspection and opening to ensure everything functions under pressure.
- Run real checkout scenarios for both rec and medical
- Test loyalty sign-ups, ID scanning, purchase limits, and METRC syncs
- Print receipts and verify your POS is tracking sales, taxes, and inventory correctly
Prepare for a Strong Launch
Your first customers will set the tone.
- Stock swag or vendor samples if allowed in your market
- Ensure signage, decor, and staff attire are polished and on-brand
- Schedule extra staff for opening week to handle traffic, onboarding, and feedback
Get Your Dispensary Financial Systems Online
Start with strong financial hygiene.
- Reconcile sales, inventory, and cash daily
- Track COGS, run end-of-day reports, and flag anomalies quickly
- Work with a cannabis CPA or bookkeeper to build clean, audit-ready books from day one
Monitor Compliance in Real Time
Don’t assume everything is working—verify.
- Monitor METRC syncs and compliance reports
- Ensure purchase limits are enforced and product tracking is airtight
- Flag and correct discrepancies before they result in violations
FAQs: How to Open a Dispensary in 2025
When should I order product for my dispensary?
As soon as you pass inspection. Expect 1–2 weeks for delivery, especially for new accounts.
Do I need insurance before I open my dispensary?
Yes. Property and general liability insurance should be in place during buildout. Product liability is required once inventory is on site.
What SOPs are required to open a dispensary?
State regulators typically require SOPs for security, restricted areas, cash handling, product recalls, visitor access, and more. You’ll also want internal SOPs for daily operations.
How long should dispensary staff training take?
Give your team at least 2 full weeks. Cover POS, compliance, emergency protocols, customer service, and SOPs.
Do I need METRC if I’m not in a METRC state?
You’ll still need to use your state’s approved track-and-trace system. The steps—integration, employee logins, inventory sync—are very similar.
Open with Confidence—Not Chaos
Launching a dispensary in 2025 is a high-stakes, high-reward moment—and what happens in the final weeks before inspection can make or break your success. With regulations tightening and competition growing, you can’t afford last-minute surprises, financial disarray, or compliance missteps.
But you don’t have to do it alone.
At GreenGrowth CPAs, we’ve helped operators across the country launch dispensaries that are not only inspection-ready, but built to scale—financially, operationally, and strategically.
📅 Ready to turn your license into a successful business?
Book a free consultation and let’s make sure you’re truly ready for Day One—and every day after.
