Dispensary Operations (Adult-Use Retail)

What This Covers

• Store operations and daily controls
• Sales rules and transaction requirements
• Purchase limits and POS enforcement
• Customer ID checks
• Store layout requirements
• Employee roles and training
• Daily operational procedures

Store Operations

Baseline rules for operating a dispensary.

• Sell only OCM-approved, lab-tested, properly packaged cannabis
• Keep all cannabis secured when the store is closed
• Never leave cannabis unattended
• Record every product movement in the state tracking system:
  • Deliveries
  • Sales
  • Returns
  • Waste
• No one under 21 is allowed in the sales area
• Operate exactly as described in the plan approved by OCM

Sales Rules

Every sale must follow defined procedures.

• Only adults 21+ may purchase cannabis
• Every transaction must:
  • Go through the POS
  • Be recorded in the state tracking system
• Products must remain sealed:
  • No opening packages
  • No samples
• Staff may not encourage large, suspicious, or diversion-related purchases
• Discounts, giveaways, and coupons must comply with OCM rules

Purchase Limits

Daily purchase limits are mandatory and non-negotiable.

• Customers may not exceed state-set daily limits
• POS must automatically block sales that exceed limits
• Staff may not split transactions to bypass limits
• Staff must confirm limit checks before completing each sale

Daily Adult-Use Purchase Limits

• Up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower
• Up to 24 grams of cannabis concentrate
• Up to 1,500 mg total THC in edibles

Limits apply per person, per day, regardless of:

• Product mix
• Number of transactions
• Number of dispensaries visited

Customer Checks

ID verification is required for every sale.

• Verify a valid, government-issued ID for every customer
• IDs must be:
  • Real
  • Unexpired
  • Match the customer
• Deny the sale if an ID appears altered or suspicious
• Recheck ID if the customer appears under 25
• No one under 21 may enter the sales area unless they are staff

Store Layout

Your physical layout must match OCM approval.

• Customer areas, employee-only areas, and storage areas must be clearly separated
• Cannabis must be stored in locked, restricted-access rooms
• Staff must maintain clear sightlines across the sales floor
• Customers may not touch, open, or sample products
• Any layout change requires OCM approval before implementation

Employee Roles

All staff must be trained and authorized.

• Employees must be trained on:
  • ID checks
  • Sales limits
  • Compliance basics
  • Safety and emergency procedures
• A trained, authorized employee must be on-site whenever the store is open
• Only trained staff may:
  • Access storage areas
  • Handle cannabis
  • Work the sales floor
• Staff must know how to:
  • Use the POS
  • Confirm purchase limits
  • Complete required logs
  • Report issues or incidents
• Staff must know how to respond to:
  • Theft or diversion
  • Unsafe behavior
  • Intoxicated customers

Daily Procedures

OCM expects consistency and accurate records every day.

• Complete opening and closing inventory counts
• Log inventory counts in the tracking system
• Check camera feeds and alarm status before opening
• Confirm POS, ID scanners, and tracking systems are functional
• Log every delivery, transfer, disposal, or discrepancy immediately
• Secure all cannabis and cash at closing
• Keep records organized and inspection-ready at all times

What Operators Usually Miss

• POS limits must be actively confirmed by staff
• Layout changes require approval before changes are made
• Every discrepancy must be logged immediately
• Daily routines are reviewed during inspections

When This Comes Up

• Daily store operations
• Staff training and onboarding
• OCM inspections
• License renewals

What Happens If You Ignore This

• Violations or fines
• Failed inspections
• License conditions or enforcement
• Increased scrutiny

Related Pages

• Sales Operations (ID Checks and POS)
• Inventory Management and METRC
• Inspections & Preparation
• Inspection & Audit Preparation
• Security Guidance

Source Material

• OCM Guidance for Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries