How technology is changing cannabis delivery

There are four types of cannabis delivery where technology plays a significant role in improving efficiency, safety, tracking, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, business profits. These four types of delivery occur during manufacture, distribution, and sale. Let’s take a closer look at each of the innovative technologies that are redefining delivery as we know it.

Drug delivery during manufacture

Scientists conduct research every day to find new ways to deliver the active ingredients in cannabis to people in a very targeted way so that they have more opportunities to achieve the desired effects in convenient forms. In addition, many of these delivery methods focus on limiting the psychoactive effects of marijuana while consistently maximizing the therapeutic effects.

As early as 2017, the concept of rapid release of THC became the focus of scientists working with brands of cannabis, and their research and product development efforts have resulted in numerous innovations.

For example, in 2019 Azuca partnered with Wana, the leading food company in North America, to offer a range of edibles that use Azuca’s fast-acting technology. Since then, Azuca’s patent-pending technology has been adopted by several cannabis companies.

At the same time, other companies had developed their own fast-acting technology, including MedPharm, whose patented technology led to the development of its liquid fast-acting emulsifiers and nanotechnologies. Coda Signature already uses MedPharm’s technology in the manufacture of some of its edible products. Quicksilver Scientific has also developed a proprietary nanoemulsion delivery system.

This type of cannabis delivery technology started to generate a lot of buzz a few years ago when some companies adapted ideas from the pharmaceutical industry for the cannabis industry. In 2018, Aurora Cannabis Inc., a licensed Canadian medical marijuana manufacturer, acquired 9.14% of the shares in Canada’s CTT Pharmaceutical Holdings Inc. with the aim of producing marijuana products with CTT’s dose-specific, fast-dissolving, oral thin-film wafers Bring to market.

Also in 2021, The Greater Cannabis released its transmucosal cannabinoid patch, which sticks to the inside of the mouth and allows the cannabinoids to be absorbed through the cheek. Later in 2021, IntelGenx Corp. announced and Tilray announced plans to develop oral film delivery products, and CURE Pharmaceutical announced that CURE’s patented thin film oral delivery technology has been granted exclusive license to Canopy Growth through a licensing agreement.

All of these companies, brands, innovations and technologies share a common goal of standardizing and controlling the dosage, effects and experiences of cannabis using technology and innovative delivery systems.

Marijuana delivery to support operations

As you move down the supply chain, cannabis products need to be transported from one stakeholder to the next – from grower to manufacturer, from manufacturer to pharmacy or retailer, and even more so to states that require testing in separate laboratory facilities. Every time marijuana is put in a van (whatever the form) there is a risk. Theft is not uncommon in this industry – even among employees – so sophisticated security technology is essential to protecting cannabis companies from loss.

Companies like Safety Vision offer surveillance cameras for delivery vehicles that monitor pick-ups and drop-offs, activities around the vehicles and the routes of all delivery vehicles. This technology can also automatically record every time marijuana moves, and most companies allow users to view real-time information online or through a mobile app.

Interestingly, Safety Vision didn’t start in the cannabis industry. This is a company that already served various industries but saw a need in the marijuana market and expanded to fill an existing void. In other words, the technology doesn’t have to be new to affect the cannabis industry. It can be adopted by another industry and still have far-reaching effects.

The wireless panic buttons worn on employees’ lanyards and remote security surveillance are other examples of technological innovations that are being used in other industries that can easily fill gaps in the cannabis industry. In fact, video surveillance systems, proactive video surveillance (PVM), access control systems, and smart safes and storage can all be managed remotely – either by management or a third party company.

Logistic delivery of marijuana products

A number of states allow licensed pharmacies and retailers to supply cannabis products directly to patients and consumers. However, the delivery process can become very confusing and time consuming, which is why delivery logistics software has become popular in the marijuana industry.

OnFleet is an example of logistics software that cannabis dispensaries and retailers use to manage their delivery programs to patients and consumers. The software can help pharmacies ship and track their local deliveries. You can also use the software to analyze these deliveries and optimize them to reduce time and costs.

Aside from logistics software, pharmacies, retailers and delivery license holders are actively looking for new ways to get products to consumers as quickly and efficiently as possible. Meadow is one of the companies offering an innovative solution to streamline the delivery process and improve the customer experience by converting cannabis delivery vehicles into mobile pharmacies.

In 2021, Meadow launched its Dynamic Delivery with Cannable, a pharmacy and delivery service in California. Dynamic Delivery enables pharmacies to fill each delivery vehicle with the legally permitted maximum amount of cannabis. Customers order in real time based on the products that are in the vehicle. Vehicles can work on specific areas so deliveries are faster and more efficient.

Selling delivery to patients and consumers

According to a report by Weedmaps, 60% of retail cannabis purchases were delivered in 2021 – up from 50% in 2020. As it grows, competition comes and things are getting more competitive every day when it comes to cannabis delivery.

In November, Uber Technologies announced that it had partnered with Canadian cannabis retailer Tokyo Smoke to take cannabis orders online through the Uber Eats app in Ontario. This is definitely a first step into the cannabis delivery space for Uber Technologies and could create the conditions for significant disruption.

Eaze and Uber won’t be the only big brands in the cannabis delivery industry in the years to come. The rumors of when Amazon will start selling cannabis has been around for a while, so this is definitely an area to watch out for. Things are likely to be very different with patient and consumer delivery in a few years’ time.

Conclusion

As the examples above show, technology has already had a significant impact on the cannabis industry, and with new innovations often emerging, it is only a matter of time before the next phase of cannabis delivery takes shape.

Will it be Amazon? Will it be drones? Will it be something else? Only time can tell.

Originally published 6/12/18. Updated on 12/17/21.