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Design, Development, Strategy

Navigating Legal Restrictions for E-commerce for Cannabis

Dennis Plucinik • March 10, 2023

As the cannabis industry continues to grow and evolve, e-commerce has become increasingly important for businesses operating in this space. E-commerce provides a convenient way for customers to purchase cannabis products and for businesses to reach a wider audience. However, legal restrictions can significantly impact the success of e-commerce businesses in the cannabis industry. In this article, we will explore the legal challenges faced by businesses that specialize in creating corporate and e-commerce websites for cannabis brands, as well as potential solutions to these challenges.

Legal Challenges Faced by Cannabis E-commerce Companies

Real-World Examples

To illustrate the challenges faced by e-commerce companies in the cannabis industry, we can look at real-world examples such as Bimble Beverages, Grannyza, and MedMen NYC. These businesses have faced specific legal challenges related to marketing, advertising, payment processing, and more. For example, MedMen NYC had to temporarily close their flagship store due to violations related to advertising and marketing of cannabis products.

Additional Expense of Finding a Merchant Account

Another significant challenge faced by e-commerce companies in the cannabis industry is finding a merchant account that will accept the risk of processing transactions for this industry. This can be a costly and time-consuming process, as many banks and payment processors are hesitant to work with cannabis businesses due to the legal and regulatory risks involved.

The pandemic has accelerated the shift toward e-commerce in the cannabis industry, and we expect this trend to continue even after the pandemic ends

Jordan Sinclair
Chief Communications Officer of Canopy Growth

Potential Solutions to Legal Challenges

Partnering with Third-Party Service Providers

One potential solution for e-commerce companies in the cannabis industry is to partner with third-party service providers that specialize in providing compliant payment processing, marketing, and other services. These providers can help businesses navigate the complex legal landscape and ensure that they are in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

Using Innovative Technologies

Another potential solution is to use innovative technologies to address regulatory compliance issues. For example, blockchain technology can be used to track and verify the supply chain of cannabis products, ensuring that they are sourced and sold legally.

Lobbying for Regulatory Changes

Finally, it is important for e-commerce companies in the cannabis industry to be proactive in lobbying for regulatory changes that will help ease the burden on businesses. By working together with industry organizations and legal experts, cannabis businesses can advocate for changes to laws and regulations that are hindering their growth and success.

Expertise in Building Cannabis Websites

In addition to understanding the legal landscape of the cannabis industry, it is important for e-commerce companies to have the technical expertise necessary to build successful websites. This is where our company comes in. We specialize in creating corporate and e-commerce websites for cannabis brands and have extensive experience navigating the legal challenges faced by businesses in this industry.

Case Studies

To demonstrate our expertise, we have provided case studies on our website that highlight successful projects we have completed for cannabis businesses. These case studies include Double Barrel, Acreage Holdings, and Bimble. These case studies highlight our work across a variety of use cases including corporate branding, store location search, and e-commerce.

Acreage Holdings case study tile
Bimble Beverages case study tile
Double Barrel case study tile

If you are a cannabis business owner looking to build a successful e-commerce website, we encourage you to contact our team to learn more about how we can help. Whether you are just starting out or are looking to improve an existing website, we have the expertise necessary to navigate the legal landscape and build a website that meets your unique needs.

Conclusion

Legal restrictions can pose significant challenges for e-commerce businesses in the cannabis industry, but there are solutions available. By partnering with third-party service providers, using innovative technologies, and advocating for regulatory changes, e-commerce businesses can successfully navigate the legal landscape and build successful websites. It is also important to have the technical expertise necessary to build these websites, which is where our company comes in. By working with our team, cannabis businesses can overcome legal challenges and build successful e-commerce websites that drive growth and success.