For some dubious reasons, Washington state wanted to replace it’s seed-to-sale tracking system for the marijuana licensees. After some more bungling, the contract for the old software expires on the 31st, but the new software won’t be ready then. All operators will need to keep manual records, and submit them later. This is going to be a master screw-up.
Seed-to-sale tracks every gram of cannabis from the time it’s a seedling to the package in the consumer’s hands. It’s a critical mechanism for arguing against federal intervention by “proving” out-of-state diversion is not happening.
There is nothing magic about these systems, straight-forward inventory management is what it is. Manual errors in the farm to store transfer (or any transfers) though might never be corrected. Companies might have to close down.
My personal feeling is that the licensees will smile with tightly gritted teeth and do whatever is needed to keep the market working, to cover the ass of the state while they dig themselves out, and to keep a very close watch on the taxes due the state, which goes to screwing things up.
When the new system is up, the licensees will have to pay $500 to the state, acquire the software, pay to modify their POS software, pay to train employees on the new system, and back-enter the manual data.
The stores in Washington are collecting and delivering $35 million a month to the state. When it comes to your volunteers and tax collectors, you need them more than they need you.