June 4 - 5, 2025
Javits Convention Center

10 Cannabis Tech Tools Shaping the Industry

From artificial intelligence (AI) tools to sophisticated supply chain management systems, the cannabis industry relies on some advanced technology to keep growing. Here’s a look at some of the technological systems shaping the cannabis industry, how they’re used, and the trends they’re driving as legal cannabis businesses expand nationwide. 

 

1. Seed-to-sale tracking and compliance systems

 

One tech platform every cannabis operator is familiar with is the seed-to-sale tracking system, which handles the complex task of monitoring the entire plant-touching supply chain for quality assurance and regulatory compliance. Seed-to-sale tracking systems catalog every cannabis product back to the source, from breeding to cultivation to manufacturing to the dispensary.

 

Popular seed to sale tracking systems include names like Metrc, Distru, GrowFlow, and Canix, though some states require the use of particular platforms. In New York, operators can use any software they want; the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) uses BioTrack THC. Generally, these systems rely on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and software to track the flow of seeds, plants, flower, and manufactured products through the cannabis supply chain. 

 

2. AI budtenders

 

As the foremost touchpoint between customer and brand, budtenders shape consumer experience and influence brand loyalty to a significant degree. Some dispensaries are capitalizing on the rise of AI to improve the budtender-customer interaction, delivering accurate information in an easily understandable way.

 

A leading name in this new space is Pluggi, a platform that integrates with ecommerce platforms and offers customers the same type of personalized service they’ve come to expect from your human budtenders on-site. Pluggi relies on customers’ answers to questions to generate relevant product recommendations. Pluggi also delivers data-driven reports that can help you better understand shopper preferences, giving you all the information you need to enhance your marketing and customer service.

 

3. Extraction equipment

 

Extraction technology is not new; it’s been used in the food and beverage industry and the petrochemical industry for quite some time. However, their use in cannabis is relatively new, dating back to the 1970s with the advent of Butane Hash Oil (BHO). Today, extraction tech is widely applied in the cannabis industry and includes both solvent-based and solventless extraction equipment. It also includes devices like rosin presses, which are used to refine bubble hash into a thick oil known as rosin. 

 

Companies like Delta Separations, Precision Extraction, and Root Sciences produce extraction equipment from closed loop extraction systems to individual elements like short path distillation equipment or falling film evaporators. This machinery is essential to the cannabis extraction process, which is used in the production of concentrates as well as infused edibles, topicals, and other types of cannabis products. There are also simpler pieces of equipment from companies like Bubble Magic, which sells ice water extraction machines that don’t require as much engineering expertise to operate.

 

4. Menu providers

 

The menu is the dispensary’s focus, whether customers place pickup orders online or do in-store shopping. Ecommerce software companies have emerged to support dispensaries who want to offer their customers a familiar and convenient way to shop for cannabis, even if customers can’t have products shipped to their door. These services offer digital dispensary menus that integrate with other key software needed to manage a dispensary’s operations. They’re focused on providing a high level of ease of use for both customer and dispensary staff, queuing up orders so they can be filled quickly, accurately, and efficiently.

 

5. Personal consumption devices

 

The way we consume cannabis is also changing thanks to technological innovation. Among the more high-tech of these innovations are portable vaporizers, electronic dab pens and dabbing devices, and desktop vaporizers. These items eliminate the need for pipes and paper and use apps and other electronic means to create a truly customized consumption experience. 

 

Puffco is one such innovator in the personal consumption space. The company, which engineers its products in Brooklyn, is known for the Puffco Peak, an electronic dab rig that became seriously popular by making dabbing easy and accessible to every consumer. The company also offers accessories like the Hot Knife, an electronic dab tool that makes loading dab rigs an easier experience.

 

6. Cannabis security software 

 

Security is critical in cannabis. Whether you’re a cultivator with a sizable grow, a manufacturing operation producing seriously valuable extracts, or a dispensary with inventory and cash on hand, cannabis businesses are prime targets for burglary. In addition, state regulations usually include strict security requirements for cannabis facilities. That’s where cannabis security software comes in, helping operators manage their facilities and demonstrate full compliance with their state’s requirements.

 

7. Curing and drying equipment

 

After harvesting, cannabis needs to be cured and dried to preserve it and prevent contamination while it awaits transportation and purchase. Historically, this process could take weeks or even months to complete, but thanks to technology developed specifically for cannabis cultivators that timeline can be significantly sped up. This gets products out the door faster.

 

Companies like Cryo Cure, Cannatrol, and Happy Hydro have all developed equipment and processes that support more efficient and higher quality drying and curing. Cryo Cure, for example, offers machinery that preserves cannabinoids and terpenes while quickly bringing flower to its optimal moisture content levels in under 24 hours. Happy Hydro offers more conventional accessories like hanging dry racks and storage containers that support and improve the conventional drying and curing process.

 

8. Decarboxylation equipment

 

When using cannabis as an ingredient to create edibles or topicals, it first needs to go through a process known as “decarboxylation.” Put simply, this involves heating cannabis flower at low temperatures for a long time. Decarboxylation is the conversion of cannabinoid acids, like THCA or CBDA, into their more familiar activated forms, like THC and CBD. When cannabis is smoked or vaped, this happens before inhalation. But for ingestion, decarboxylation needs to be done first.

 

Cannabis manufacturing equipment providers sell industrial-sized ovens built for this task. Often called “decarbing ovens,” they come with settings designed specifically for cannabis. There are also many at-home gadgets, like the Ardent and the Levo, that simplify at-home decarboxylation

 

9. Retail management platforms

 

When you run a retail business, you need a point-of-sale system for tracking dispensary sales and managing transactions. You also need an inventory management system that can track your current stock, monitor how quickly SKUs are selling, and enable you to order more proactively so you never run out of your most popular products. You’ll also want to be able to review data about your sales and your customers so you can improve your decision making when it comes to things like marketing, inventory, and customer service. Cannabis retail management platforms have brought all these functions into one useful system that keeps dispensaries organized and efficient. 

 

 

Flowhub is a major retail management platform serving cannabis dispensaries with its software called Maui. This software allows dispensaries to accept payments for cannabis transactions and offers useful tools like customer loyalty programs and online order management. It also offers built-in compliance tools, so dispensaries can track their compliance and demonstrate it to regulators. Sales reports, custom user dashboards, and all the data flowing through the system is available on mobile devices as well, so company leadership can make informed decisions anytime, anywhere. These platforms also play an important role when it comes to cybersecurity in cannabis, safeguarding sensitive customer data from cyberattacks.

 

10. Nanoemulsion technologies

 

When making infused products like edibles and cannabis beverages, it’s important to ensure consumers have consistent, reliable experiences with dosages they can depend on. That means each product needs to not only contain the same amounts of cannabinoids in the same proportions as the last, but each part of each product needs to be homogenous and contain the same amount as well. Otherwise, each bite could be different, and consumers won’t be able to expect a consistent experience. That’s where nanoemulsions come in, and it’s thanks to emulsification technology that manufacturers can create them.

 

 

SōRSE Technology, for example, uses a water-soluble emulsification process that works with any oil-based ingredient to create emulsion formulations for cannabis brands. Their services promise product stability that provides for accurate, consistent dosing in cannabis products and homogeneity in each product, so customers can trust the labeling every time. Technology and innovative processes like these enable cannabis businesses to create repeatable, branded products that consumers can count on for a consistent experience no matter where they buy them.

 

Emerging tech propels the cannabis industry forward

 

The cannabis industry is an innovative and rapidly evolving space, often out of necessity thanks to decades of prohibition and the emergence of state-by-state supply chains with their own sets of rules and regulations. As cannabis businesses grow and face new challenges, technology companies come to the fore to help them get more done and keep on expanding. To meet some of the leaders in cannabis tech and the businesses successfully using their tools and platforms, join us for the next Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo (CWBCExpo) June 5 – 6 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City

Safeguarding the Green: Cannabis and Cybersecurity 

The rapid rise of the cannabis industry is certainly turning heads — but not always the right ones. The industry’s lucrative rise has also drawn the unwanted attention of cybercriminals looking for ways to steal data, credit card information, and other sensitive information. What sort of precautions should cannabis companies take to guard against cybersecurity threats?

What is a cybercrime?

Cybercrime encompasses a range of illegal activities conducted through computers or internet networks. Cybersecurity threats, in particular, include but are not limited to credit card fraud, unauthorized use of personal data, ransomware, and more. 

Cybersecurity statistics indicate that there are 2,200 cyber attacks across all industries daily, with an attack happening every 39 seconds on average. In the U.S., a data breach can cost a business an average of $9.44 million. Cybercrime is predicted to cost companies as a whole $8 trillion by 2023.

Examples of cybercrimes in the cannabis industry

In the cannabis industry, there have been some notable data breaches, including:

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity can be defined as the protection of networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use. Generally, it involves the implementation of security protocols, advanced technologies, and proactive strategies to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of digital assets. This is especially relevant for many cannabis companies that collect sales data, patient information, and payment information, among other types of sensitive data.

There are many different types of cybersecurity measures, but the three most common are firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and antivirus software. These systems act as digital guards, scrutinizing all incoming and outgoing network traffic and unauthorized activity. 

Why is the cannabis industry targeted for cybercrime?

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to cybersecurity and cannabis. To understand if you’re at risk or not, you must look at things from the viewpoint of the cybercriminal. Here’s why cannabis remains a targeted industry: 

  • It’s new: The cannabis industry is still in its infancy. Unlike more established sectors, there are fewer precedents for safeguarding digital assets in cannabis. This makes it less of a priority for companies to implement comprehensive security measures.

  • Businesses are small: Many cannabis businesses are first getting off the ground. In these beginning stages, cybersecurity measures are not always given the same attention as physical security, compliance, and marketing. This often translates to limited investment in cybersecurity, leaving these companies more exposed to attacks.

  • Private information is lucrative: The personal nature of cannabis consumption and shopping makes it an attractive target. Information related to purchase history and patient data is valuable to cybercriminals, driving them to target the cannabis industry specifically. 

How can you keep your cannabis business safe from cyberattacks? 

Although cannabis businesses may be a target, you can still take important steps to protect yourself and your business. A few key considerations to keep in mind for protecting your business include: 

Risk assessment 

The first step to protecting your business from potential cyberattacks lies in risk assessment. By identifying potential vulnerabilities and understanding the specific risks that the industry faces, companies can proactively implement targeted security measures to secure their digital infrastructure. Some of the key basics for a cybersecurity risk assessment plan include: 

  • Define and assess potential threats: This initial step lays the foundation for a comprehensive risk assessment by identifying various threats that could impact your business. Evaluate the potential damage or harm that could result from each of these threats and prioritize what requires immediate attention.

  • Identify your security vulnerabilities: Pinpointing vulnerabilities within your system and processes is crucial. This will help you to understand where potential weaknesses lie and where protective measures are needed.

  • Calculate risk levels: Assessing the probability of each identified threat occurring allows you to allocate resources appropriately and focus on the most probable risks to ensure adequate security measures. 

Staff training 

Educating your team about cybersecurity is a crucial line of defense. With the proper knowledge and awareness, employees become an integral part of your security strategy. Training sessions can cover best practices, recognizing phishing attempts, password protection, and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. This human firewall can significantly increase your cyber protection. 

Secure systems 

Implementing robust security measures across your digital platforms is paramount to protecting your brand. This includes adopting encryption protocols, utilizing firewalls, and regularly updating software and your website so attackers cannot take advantage of known problems or vulnerabilities. Access control and authentication mechanisms and policies also ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information and data. 

Backup strategy

A comprehensive backup strategy is a critical aspect of cybersecurity. Regularly backing up essential data ensures that information can be swiftly restored in the event of a cyber incident, minimizing downtime and loss. Employing both onsite and offsite backups, along with routine testing of recovery processes, is essential to maintain security for your business. 

Response plan 

Despite best efforts, breaches may occur. Having a well-defined response plan is essential. This includes clear steps for incident reporting, a designated response team, communication protocols, and a chain of command for decision-making. Many companies rely on what is known as a “cyber incident response plan,” a document that outlines what an organization should do in the event of a data breach or cybersecurity incident. A swift and coordinated response can mitigate potential damage and facilitate a smoother recovery. 

Regular review

Cybercriminals consistently find new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. As you create procedures and policies, don’t let them go untouched for months or years. It’s best to evaluate your cybersecurity protocol and overall health on a regular basis. Depending on your risk level, monthly, quarterly, or biannual reviews may be necessary.

Hire a consultant

Just like there are cannabis security experts who work with dispensaries and cultivation facilities, there are cybersecurity consultants who can help you review your business and identify areas that could benefit from strong security procedures. Look for a consultant with specific expertise and experience in the cannabis industry.

Keep your business secure around the clock

The importance of cybersecurity in the expanding industry cannot be overstated. Safeguarding sensitive data and operations is paramount for sustainable growth and success. And cybersecurity does not only involve the steps your company takes for its own policies — it’s the partners you work with as well. So don’t be afraid to ask questions about security when evaluating software vendors and website developers. The health of your business depends on it!

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