Are you in the business of making green by selling green? Of course, we mean legally! In this blog, I'll talk about the boring, but critical importance of having a dependable scale in the weed business. Whether you're a producer or dispensary, we'll get you covered.

Our lawyer’s wanted me to remind you to check with local, state and federal laws to ensure compliance before handling, distributing and selling cannabis.  There are 29 states in the US that have legalized medical marijuana access laws. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's get on with it!

Whether you produce, distribute, or sell cannabis or cannabinoid products, making sure you have accurate weight measurements is critical to operating your business. Depending on where you operate in the bud supply chain, the scale required by state and local laws will vary. We have a wide selection of cannabis scales available here at Scales Plus and we’re here to help you find what you need.

Cannabis Production

Most states that allow the production and sale of marijuana in any capacity require strict tracking of the product, from seed to finished product. It’s important that weed producers log all product throughout the various stages of production. Since no marijuana is being sold during the production process, a Legal for Trade, or NTEP, certified scale is not required. More on that later.

As production in larger operations typically deals in larger quantities, you’ll want to find a bench scale that has a larger pan for easier weighing of larger batches. The OHAUS Explorer line of precision balances are a great choice for mid-size growers where speed and accuracy are crucial. The AutoCal internal calibration features runs every 3 hours to ensure that your team receives dependable readings throughout the production process. For more information on the OHAUS Explorer line, check them out in our catalog on Scales Plus.

Marijuana Dispensaries

Marijuana dispensaries serve up a number of cannabis products, from your favorite kush to delectable edibles. This means they need a diverse scale. One that can formulate new recipes and one that’s also legal for trade. What is a legal for trade scale? Glad you asked, hang on a minute, this is going to get nerdy.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is responsible for setting the requirements for legal for trade scales based on a number of factors which is outlined in Handbook 44. Every state requires that commercial scales meet the minimum requirements as outlined in Handbook 44. Most states also go further by requiring NTEP certification.

As of 2010, all but 4 states in the US require legal for trade scales to also be NTEP certified. North Dakota, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont do not require legal for trade scales to also be NTEP certified.

As long as they meet the minimum requirements for legal for trade as outlined in Handbook 44, these four states will allow those scales to be used in a commercial capacity. The National Type Evaluation Program(NTEP) is administered by the National Conference on Weights and Measures(NCWM). The program certifies that scales and other equipment meet the specific requirements for legal for trade as outlined in Handbook 44.

Now that we’ve explained what legal for trade means (if you haven’t fallen asleep yet), you know that a legal for trade scales is LEGALLY required to sell cannabis or cannabis products by weight in all states. And unless you live in the 4 states mentioned above, you also need the scale to be NTEP certified. Here at Scales Plus, we’ve already put together a list of NTEP approved, legal for trade scales that you can use in-store today. Don’t forget to contact your state’s weights and measures department to have the scale placed into service!

Personal Use

Whether you use Mary Jane medicinally or recreationally (ahem, the lawyers want us to remind you to check you local and state laws), portioning out your next hit is important. Since you’re not selling it to anyone, these personal scales are not legal for trade. They are small, portable scales that are easily concealable, budget friendly, and accurate! We’ve also put together a list of scales for the personal user.

Conclusion

Whether you are in the production and distribution business of legalized marijuana or just a personal user, it’s high time you find the scale that fits your situation. From personal pocket scales, to large industrial bench scales, Scales Plus has various brands and models available for your “green” needs. If you have any additional questions or need help deciding what scale is right for you, contact one of our knowledgeable sales staff today.