What Happens During an OMMA Inspection for Cannabis Dispensaries?

If you own a cannabis dispensary in Oklahoma, you are running a business in one of the most heavily regulated environments in the country. This means that everything coming in and going out of the store must be properly documented.

Dispensaries in Oklahoma are subject to inspections by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA). This is to ensure that they are following the proper guidelines for reporting.

For many people in this industry, the concept of an inspection can be stressful. However, once you realize what is going on and how it is done, you will find that it is much simpler.

Let’s take a look at what an inspection by the OMMA typically entails and what dispensaries can do to help this process.

Table of Content

1. Why OMMA Inspections Matter

2. What Inspectors Typically Review

3. Common Compliance Issues Dispensaries Face

4. How Dispensaries Can Prepare for an OMMA Inspection

5. How Software Helps Dispensaries Stay Inspection Ready

6. Frequently Asked Questions

7. Conclusion

Why OMMA Inspections Matter

OMMA inspections are an important part of the regulated cannabis environment in Oklahoma. This is because they help to maintain integrity in the industry, and help operators follow the state guidelines by ensuring that product movement is tracked accurately.

While an inspection is taking place, regulators are not simply ensuring that you are operating a legal business. They are also reviewing that you have proper documentation across all aspects of your operations, including inventory, Point of Sale (POS), and reporting.

Since cannabis products must be tracked using programs such as Metrc, documentation is an essential aspect of the business.

In the event that discrepancies are noted in a dispensary’s records compared to what is noted in the system, inspectors may request that the business investigate discrepancies and correct the underlying issues.

What Inspectors Typically Review

During an OMMA inspection, there are a number of operational areas that regulators will evaluate. They do this to make sure that records are accurate and to make certain that a dispensary is complying with reporting requirements.

Some of the most common things that an inspector might look at include:

1. Inventory records

Inspectors might compare the physical products to those recorded in a system. They do this to make certain that product counts match those that have been recorded.

4. Package tracking

5. Operational documentation

3. Transaction records

2. Metrc reporting

Retail transactions must be recorded accurately. Inspectors might look at transaction records to make certain that this is taking place.

Businesses are required to maintain records related to operational adjustments, transfers, etc. This helps to make certain that dispensaries are complying with operational practices.

Every cannabis product has a corresponding package ID. Inspectors might make certain that this is recorded accurately.

Because Oklahoma uses Metrc to track cannabis products, inspectors might make certain that product movement, package modifications, and sales match those recorded through the system.

Common Compliance Issues Dispensaries Face

In most cases, compliance issues do not begin with major violations. They generally begin with small operational lapses that build up over time. For example, if there is an issue with the recording of inventory changes, there may be a discrepancy between the physical inventory and the reported data. Some of the most common compliance challenges include:

• Inventory discrepancies between the physical inventory and the reported data

• Inadequate and incomplete reporting of transactions

• Inaccurate tracking of packages

• Inadequate documentation of transactions

• Inability to track the movement of products during an audit

In cases like these, the dispensary may take hours trying to go through the transaction history and the inventory reports to try and establish what is causing the discrepancy. This may be time-consuming for a retail business.

How Dispensaries Can Prepare for an OMMA Inspection

Dispensaries with good records during day-to-day operations are generally in a much better position during inspections. Preparing for an inspection does not require a complex process, just good operational habits.

There are several practices that help dispensaries prepare for inspections.

1. Accurate records of your current inventory

It is important to ensure that your physical inventory matches your records on a regular basis.

2. Track all product movements carefully

3. Organized documentation

It is necessary that your staff understands the process of tracking your inventory as well as reporting your changes in the inventory.

It is important that you keep clear records of your transactions, changes in your inventory, and your operations in general.

You need to accurately account for all changes in your inventory, including sales. Inaccurate reporting can lead to bigger problems down the road.

4. Training your staff on compliance

How Software Helps Dispensaries Stay Inspection Ready

As dispensaries grow in size, manual handling becomes harder due to increased sales, complex movement of inventories, and increased volume of data.

Many dispensaries have already adopted technology that allows for the integration of inventory tracking, reporting, and sales into a single system.

Cannabis compliance software makes it easy for dispensaries to keep their inventories organized, maintain sales records, and monitor reporting consistency. When data is structured in an understandable way, it becomes easy to spot inconsistencies in time before inspections.

While technology cannot replace cannabis compliance best practices, it can indeed make them much simpler.

Frequently asked questions

What is an OMMA inspection for cannabis dispensaries?

An OMMA inspection for cannabis dispensaries is an examination carried out by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA). The examination is conducted with the objective of ensuring that cannabis businesses are complying with the regulations set by the Oklahoma government. For instance, the examination may involve checking the inventory records and transaction logs of the cannabis dispensary.

How can dispensaries reduce compliance risks during inspections?

Keeping an accurate record of inventory, educating employees on reporting practices, and utilizing a system of compliance can help dispensaries prepare for inspections. A system of reporting can help dispensaries monitor their products more effectively.

What are the common issues that arise during cannabis dispensary inspections?

The common issues that arise include issues of non-compliance with regard to the inventory and package tracking.

What documents should cannabis dispensaries prepare for the OMMA inspection?

The cannabis dispensary may prepare documents such as inventory reports and transaction logs. This will make it easier for the dispensary to prove its compliance with the regulations.

How often do OMMA inspections occur?

The OMMA inspection may occur at regular intervals or may arise as a result of issues of non-compliance. For instance, the government may carry out an examination with the objective of verifying that the dispensary has been keeping accurate records and has been adhering to the guidelines provided by the government with regard to the tracking of the inventory.

Compliance is Part of Daily Operations

For cannabis dispensaries in Oklahoma, being compliant is not just important during an inspection; it is a part of their daily activities.

When an organization’s system of managing their inventory, reporting, and retail functions are integrated, being compliant can become a seamless activity. It can then focus on serving their customers while their reporting functions are taken care of in the background.

Knowing what to expect during an OMMA inspection can help dispensaries prepare more effectively, which can help reduce their anxiety levels regarding a regulatory inspection.

By having a system of reporting, being compliant in terms of inventory, and having a system of operation, dispensaries can go into an inspection with a sense of certainty rather than uncertainty.

Not Sure If Your Inventory Matches Metrc?

If you want to check whether your inventory records align with Metrc, we offer a free compliance inventory check where operators can quickly review their data with our team.

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