Member Blog: Transportation Woes – The Unique Risks Cannabis Businesses Face and the Need for Specialized Insurance

In recent years, the cannabis industry has continued to grow with the legalization movement gaining momentum across the globe. As the market expands, so do the unique risks that cannabis businesses face, particularly when it comes to transportation. From theft and accidents to regulatory compliance, navigating the road to success in the cannabis industry requires adequate insurance coverage. In this blog post, I will explore the specific risks cannabis businesses encounter during transportation and the increasing importance of insurance products tailored to these challenges.

  1. The Rising Threat of Theft

    Protecting your valuable cargo from theft is a constant concern for cannabis businesses, especially during transportation. The high value of cannabis products makes them an attractive target for criminals. With high value products and cash amounts involved, the consequences can be devastating. That’s why it’s crucial for cannabis businesses to invest in insurance policies that specifically address theft risks during transportation. These policies can provide coverage for stolen goods, ensuring that businesses can recover from such losses and continue to thrive.

  2. On the Road

    Whether a retail delivery or wholesale distributor, transporting cannabis comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to employee safety, accidents and liability. Cannabis businesses must comply with strict regulations regarding transportation, including proper labeling, packaging, storing, tracking and secure transport methods. Additionally, accidents involving cannabis delivery vehicles can result in property damage, bodily injury, or even fatalities. Insurance products tailored to cannabis transportation risks can provide coverage for these eventualities, protecting businesses from costly lawsuits and providing peace of mind.

  3. Staying Compliant

    Navigating regulatory compliance with ever-changing regulations is a top priority and can be a challenge for any cannabis business. When it comes to transportation, the rules can be even more complex. Each jurisdiction has its own set of regulations governing cannabis transportation, such as licensing requirements, transport manifest requirements, and restrictions on the quantity of cannabis allowed per shipment. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to significant penalties or even the suspension or loss of a cannabis license. Insurance products designed for the cannabis industry can help businesses stay compliant by providing coverage for regulatory fines and legal expenses.

  4. Tailored Insurance

    Meeting the unique needs of the cannabis industry and recognizing the unique risks faced by cannabis businesses, insurance providers have developed specialized products to address these challenges. Cannabis transport insurance policies offer elements of risk transfer strategies by providing comprehensive coverages, including theft, auto damage, liability and employee injury, while simultaneously meeting regulatory compliance issues. These tailored insurance solutions are essential for cannabis businesses, providing financial protection and ensuring business continuity in the face of inherent risk.

In general, the transportation of cannabis presents unique risks for businesses operating in the industry. From the constant threat of theft to accidents and regulatory compliance challenges, cannabis businesses must be prepared to face these risks head-on. Insurance products tailored to the specific needs of the cannabis industry offer crucial protection, allowing businesses to navigate the road to success with confidence. Investing in this insurance is not just a wise business decision — it is an essential step towards safeguarding the future of your cannabis business.

VIDEO: How Section 280E of the IRS Tax Code Burdens the Cannabis Industry

As tax season officially concludes, many cannabis businesses are feeling the burden of Section 280E, which can have the effect of taxing direct-to-plant businesses at a rate up to 3.5 times higher than other businesses. This unfair provision in the federal tax code affects the entire industry’s growth potential.

Watch this video below to learn more about Section 280E. Find out more about the solution: The Small Business Tax Equity Act which would allow for the fair and equal treatment of cannabis businesses.

 

Policy Council: IRC Section 280E – An Unjust Burden on State-Legal Cannabis Businesses

NCIA’s Policy Council, comprised of industry leaders selected by NCIA’s Board of Directors, play a critical role in the development of cannabis policy at the federal level. The Policy Council recently produced a white paper titled “IRC Section 280E: An Unjust Burden on State-Legal Cannabis Businesses” which is now available in an easy-to-read design with the intention of utilizing this in conversations with policymakers, the media, and the industry.

“Fixing Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code has been a policy priority for NCIA since its founding in 2010,” said Steve Fox, co-founder of NCIA and director of the Policy Council. “It is therefore appropriate that the fist Policy Council paper is focused on this issue. The information contained in this paper will be useful in lobbying efforts as Congress continues to debate tax reform. In particular, the projections contained in the paper, showing that reforming 280E could actually result in a net increase in tax revenue for the federal government, should be especially eye-opening.”

Click the image below to view the report.

 

 

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