Four Critical Steps to Take Before Engaging A Cannabis Consultant

As the number of legal markets and competition soar, it’s common for cannabis businesses to feel overwhelmed by the speed, agility and breadth of knowledge required to get and stay operational within the industry. Faced with such challenges, you may be looking to hire a consultant to help bridge knowledge gaps or guide you through unfamiliar terrain—and for many, a consultant-client relationship can be extremely valuable. But before you dive deep into lengthy or expensive agreements, you’ll want to take some deliberate steps to protect yourself and your company.

Point Seven Group, an award-winning, women-owned cannabis consultancy, provides some pointers for navigating a consulting arrangement. They recommend following these four steps when getting started:

1. Define the specific subjects and tasks your team requires expert-level assistance with. For many, this often relates to technical or niche expertise like website development, packaging compliance, branding, selecting extraction equipment, or facility design. By clearly establishing your team’s limitations and needs, you’re more likely to find the right consultant with the right credentials and experience.
2. Make sure the consultant is able to produce strong references upon request. A bare reference list could indicate a shaky history of poor client relations or serious gaps in experience. Your questions about previous engagements should be welcomed and encouraged.
3. Related to number two, Point Seven Group recommends closely examining a consultant’s portfolio and track record. Have they experienced success in relevant verticals? Do you like the way they write and are you drawn to their flair for design? Have they worked in your state and are they familiar with the regulations specific to your market? These are all important questions to consider.
4. Discuss your company’s values with the prospective consultant. Look for alignment in thinking when it comes to your most important initiatives such as sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, or scientific research.

We hope you find this information valuable as you look to initiate consult. As a special offer for CULTURE readers, Point Seven Group is offering 10 percent off consulting services for new clients. Email them today with “CULTURE PROMO” in the subject line.

This content was provided by the ladies at Point Seven Group, a boutique, award-winning, women-run cannabis consultancy with offices in Colorado and California. Point Seven Group boasts a team of six willful women and an impressive network of industry partners. They have supported Clients in more than a dozen regulated markets through the pre-license and post-license operational phases with services ranging from application writing and marketing to equipment selection and facility design. Point Seven Group passionately advocates for the advancement of women and minorities in the industry and is the power behind the popular Grass Ceiling Movement. Check out their book, Breaking the Grass Ceiling: Women, Weed and Business.