Cannabis Tech Conference Reveals Vertical's Possibilities (And High Hurdles) For POS VARs

By Jim Roddy, Vice President of Marketing, RSPA

When entering an emerging vertical, VARs and ISVs expect to encounter a unique set of complexities, nuances, and obstacles. The 420MSP Cannabis Tech Conference, conducted online June 1-4 after its Denver conference was cancelled due to COVID-19, offered this overarching guidance for hopeful cannabis solution providers: buckle up.

Because laws, regulations, supply chains, and business models differ from state-to-state, only savvy and highly engaged VARs and ISVs are making headway in this space today. But I also saw firsthand as an event moderator and panelist representing the RSPA, there are no doubt opportunities for traditional POS solution providers to latch onto this fast-growth market – if you’ve got the guts (and the resources).

I’d like to share with you highlights from the event I think will provide insights for the RSPA Community. I should note while this was my first deep dive into this market, it wasn’t my first foray. In February, I received a cannabis primer from RSPA members Duane Roebuck of BlueStar (who also presented at the 420MSP event), Dave Albert of VAR Retail Control Systems, and Brian Meyer of Solvent when we recorded The Trusted Advisor podcast “Cannabis and CBD Vertical Opportunities for VARs and ISVs.”