What you'll need — quick checklist:
State cannabis license (and local delivery license if required)
Commercial auto insurance meeting your state's requirements
Unmarked vehicle(s) with locking storage
GPS tracking device in each vehicle (Onfleet handles this)
W-2 drivers, 21+, with background checks
Vehicle details submitted to your state's regulatory agency (make, model, VIN, plates, registration)
Metrc delivery ledger workflow set up in Meadow
Tip: New to cannabis retail operations? Meadow Mastery offers free courses — including delivery-specific training — to get your team up to speed fast.
Here's what each requirement looks like in practice:
State cannabis license: You need a state cannabis license to run delivery. Most jurisdictions also require a local delivery license. Check with your state's regulatory agency for current requirements.
Important — state-specific: Your licensing body depends on where you operate. Contact them directly for current delivery license requirements:
State | Licensing body | Website |
CA | DCC (Department of Cannabis Control) | |
MI | CRA (Cannabis Regulatory Agency) | |
NJ | NJCRC (NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission) | |
NY | OCM (Office of Cannabis Management) | |
MA | CCC (Cannabis Control Commission) |
Insurance: Commercial automobile insurance is required for every vehicle used in cannabis delivery. Make sure your coverage meets your state's minimum requirements.
Compliant vehicles: No markings. No logos. No stickers. Nothing on the exterior that signals what's inside. In most states, vehicles must be operated by a delivery employee of the licensee — no contractors, no third parties.
GPS tracking: Every delivery vehicle needs a dedicated GPS device that tracks location and records travel history during deliveries. Meadow's Onfleet integration handles this automatically.
Qualified drivers: Every driver must be a W-2 employee of your dispensary, at least 21 years old, with a clean driving record. Background checks are required.
Vehicle registration: Submit the make, model, color, VIN, license plate, and registration for every delivery vehicle to your state's regulatory agency. Requirements vary — some states require pre-approval before a vehicle can be used for delivery, others accept registration after the fact. Check with your licensing body (see the table above) for your state's process.
Security: Delivery vehicles need locking mechanisms for secure product storage. All staff involved in delivery need background checks.
Metrc Delivery Ledgers (California): Since April 1, 2023, you must create a Metrc delivery ledger before any vehicle leaves your premises with inventory. Meadow automates this — details here.
Metrc Delivery Information (Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey): Meadow ensures all required delivery details are captured directly within the POS before an order can be fulfilled. Teams must complete the driver, vehicle, timing, and route information to support accurate Metrc reporting. This workflow helps reduce manual steps while keeping delivery operations aligned with state regulations in minimal clicks.
Important — state-specific: Enforcement dates and fine amounts vary by state. In California, skipping the ledger is a moderate violation — $501–$1,000 per delivery. Other states have their own penalty structures. Regardless of where you operate, the rule is the same: no ledger, no departure. Contact your state's regulatory body for current enforcement details.