Due to constraints of the various cities, some medical marijuana patients don’t have access to storefronts but must rely solely only delivery of medicine through a marijuana delivery service. In California these are typically created through a (not-for-profit) Collective entity or the less structured Unincorporated Association. Regardless of how the medical marijuana delivery is formal organized, it still needs to follow the same California Medical marijuana guidelines (similar to storefronts) – this would include a formal membership agreement, verifying patient’s doctor’s recommendations, keeping detailed business expense records, etc.
Depending on the location and the local laws that apply, due to city bans and moratoriums, a medical marijuana delivery service might be the only way to operate. The laws on delivery-style collectives are less defined than those for traditional storefronts; in fact, more and more delivery services are popping up as more cities are banning medical marijuana storefronts. Below is a list of pros and cons of a delivery-style collective compared to a traditional storefront model.
Pros of a Medical Marijuana Delivery Service:
– Low start-up fees
– Lower overhead
– Fewer regulations, less bureaucracy
– Less attention from law enforcement
– Flexible schedule
– More nimble operations
– Can be discreet
– Some patients are immobile (don’t have or can’t operate vehicles)
Cons of a Medical Marijuana Delivery Service:
– Harder to get new members
– More competition
– Less defined laws or guidelines regarding medical marijuana delivery
– Subjectivity by law enforcement
– Less security and higher potential for theft
The same principals to start a marijuana dispensary and operate a storefront are paramount for starting a medical marijuana delivery service. A valid doctor’s recommendation will be required by every member to be eligible to sign the collective membership agreement containing the prevailing California marijuana laws and the established bylaws. The documents should be well organized and kept in a digital format/PDF for easy access.
A medical marijuana delivery service can be established (or supplemented) with an efficient website. This will save a lot of time and keep the records streamlined while processing new member requests. Although not required, it is a good option to have the option of an online pre-verification.