Government Inefficiency in the Cannabis Realm: A Constant Struggle
The Long Road Ahead
Building this app is taking a long time, and there's still a lot to do. We are working hard, and we are also thinking about creating ads like Leafly does. It feels like a big job, but we want to make something good for everyone. We want to help people who are tired of paying lots of money to the big companies. We think we can make something better—something that helps people without costing so much. We want to provide a solution that makes sense for everyone, whether they’re just getting started or they’ve been growing for years. By listening to the needs of our community, we believe we can build something truly valuable.
Frustrations with Getting the Word Out
Yesterday, I tried to ask people in a Facebook group what they think, but I think my post got blocked as spam. It was really frustrating. It seems like people would rather keep paying a lot instead of trying something new. Maybe they don’t trust something that is free. I get it—people say, "if it’s free, you are the product." But that’s true even when you pay sometimes. We are just trying to give people a good choice. Still, getting people to try something new is hard. It can feel like people are skeptical of anything different, especially when it’s a small team like ours going up against the big guys. But we’re not giving up. We know that there are people out there who want change, who want an affordable way to manage their grows, and we’re doing this for them.
Challenges with METRC Integration
We are also waiting for METRC to answer us so we can keep working on making our app integrate with their system. METRC is really important for making sure everything is legal, so we need to work with them. But it’s not easy. Today, I am learning all about the rules, and it feels like navigating a really tricky maze. There are so many regulations, and sometimes it feels like we are just waiting for answers that never come. Every step forward takes a long time because there are so many things we need to get right. But we want to do this right, so we keep trying. Even if it means waiting for responses and going through a lot of red tape, we know it will be worth it in the end. Compliance is key to making sure everything works smoothly for our users, and we won’t compromise on that.
Issues with the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is also having a lot of problems right now. They were in the news yesterday, and it was not good. They have a lot of trouble inside the office, and it makes it hard for them to help people. If you want to see, you can read about it here: Insider Culture at the Cannabis Agency and here: Licensing Delays. They also do not answer emails, which makes everything harder. When you need answers about the rules and they do not respond, it’s really bad. It makes everyone unsure about what to do next. It’s not just us feeling the impact—it’s everyone trying to make a living in this industry. When the people in charge are unresponsive, it creates chaos and uncertainty. We need clear communication and timely responses if we’re ever going to make progress, and right now, that feels like a distant goal.
Overcoming Delays and Complexity
The delays make it hard for people to plan. We are building tools to help people follow the rules, but we need clear rules to make our tools work. It is hard to keep going when things are so confusing, not just for us but for everyone. We want to make it easier for people to do their jobs without always feeling stuck. We want to take away some of the stress that comes with compliance and make it so that people can focus on what they love—growing great cannabis. The more we learn about the regulations, the more we realize just how complex this space is. It’s our goal to simplify it, to give people a way to navigate these complexities without feeling overwhelmed. That’s why we’re putting in the work now, even though it’s hard, because we know it will make a difference for a lot of people.
Moving Forward Together
Even though it feels slow, we are going to keep trying. We know what we are making is important, even if it takes time for others to see it. We are not just building an app—we are building a community and a way for people to feel more in control of their grows. If you have any ideas—or just want to talk about the problems with cannabis regulations—leave a comment. We are all in this together, and every bit of help matters. Let’s keep talking and find a way to make this work, even with all the problems. Every voice counts, and we’d love to hear from you, whether it’s feedback, support, or just sharing your experience. Together, we can make something better, something that works for everyone who loves this industry as much as we do.