Michael Hackmer is Founder and Editor in Chief of Cannabis Business Today and CEO of CBT Media. He has worked with cannabis businesses over the last several years on marketing and sales. He also is the CEO and Founder of Catoctin Education, Social Web Tactics, and Your Travel.Guide. Born in Boston, MA, he currently resides in Ashburn, Virginia with his wife and daughter. Need to reach Michael Hackmer? E-mail him at: michaelhackmer@cannabisbusinesstoday.com

Why Security Needs To Be A Priority For Cannabis Business Owners

Cannabis Security - Loss Prevention - Cannabis Business Today
The legal cannabis industry is poised to take off in the United States. Sales are projected to reach $8 Billion in 2018, and opportunities abound for investors and entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, the same dramatic growth that makes this industry so attractive to legitimate businessmen also makes it attractive to criminals. Along with the growth of the
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Going Cashless: Payments Options For Dispensaries

Operating a Cannabis dispensary means you are operating a business in a very juvenile market. It means you will be paving the way (still) and experiencing all of the growing pains of a new and emerging market. It also means you get to be the ones to suffer through and fight for some things that
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European Cardiology Study: Marijuana Use May Increase The Risk For Hypertension Mortality

Study Suggests Cannabis Users Have Higher Rate of Mortality from Hypertension
According to a report issued in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a preliminary study indicates that marijuana use may increase the risk for hypertension mortality. Here is what you need to know: The authors of the study indicate that reports and data about how cannabis impacts the heart, blood pressure, and overall mortality are
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Branding Your Cannabis Business

The federal government’s dark cloud over the cannabis industry extends far beyond stringent regulation and compliance laws. Their long arm reaches into every facet from marketing, advertising, branding and trademarking, to packaging and labeling. When you are in business, any business, your main goal is to create a recognizable brand, to find some way to
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Hidden Costs of Cannabis Inventory

Inventory is one of, if not the most important elements of a cannabis business venture. Keeping track of that inventory is crucial for survival from a compliance aspect as well as financial. Small business owners walk a fine line between success and failure in their first 5 or so years of business.  As a cannabis
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Cannabis Credit Card Processing Fraud: Beware of the Honey Trap

Being able to open a merchant account to accept credit cards at your local bank sounds good to cannabis sellers who are wary (and weary) of doing business on a cash-only basis. It’s hard to keep cash safe and it’s hard to track or monitor; and having too much cash on hand presents an ongoing
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What To Look for in Your Merchant Account Provider

In any vendor/client relationship, vetting research is time well spent. By looking into each potential partner’s qualifications and experience, you can ensure your financial investment will not be misspent. Merchant services are an area of your business that should not be overlooked in this regard. In this post, we review questions to ask before hiring
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Cannabis Equipment Financing – Taking Your Business to New Heights!

These are very exciting times! The Cannabis Industry is growing by leaps and bounds. There are constant new developments and ever changing regulations, it seems the industry is changing almost daily. This years elections could find several more states passing legislation and creating a myriad of brand new markets for the cannabis industry. Whether you
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The Cannabis Merchant Services Myth

Let’s get one thing clear. You can not legally accept credit cards for your legal marijuana business. Period. You want to, I know, desperately. Dispensaries are trying to provide a need for their patients, store owners are trying to run legitimate businesses, following all of the rules, and doing their part to provide integrity to
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To Legalize Marijuana or Not to Legalize, That is the Question..

Reschedule or legalize? Recreational or medicinal? So many questions, what is a country to do? People everywhere, and of all walks of life, seem to be talking about marijuana these days. Tidbits of conversation- the two girls sitting at the bar just down from you, the guys behind you at the chairlift, that man when
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