OP-ED by Tony Cigarano
You’ve been burned before—so let’s not make the same mistake twice.
I know a lot of you out there jumped on the automation bandwagon early, dazzled by slick sales pitches and flashy machines that promised to solve all your problems.
And what happened? The thing didn’t integrate right, it broke down, and now it’s sitting in a corner collecting dust while your profits did the same. Sound familiar?
Well, listen up—’cause winging it with automation again? That’s the quickest way to set fire to your budget.
The Aftermath of Shiny Object Syndrome
A lot of cannabis operators have learned the hard way that just because a machine looks good on paper doesn’t mean it’s going to work in the real world.
The fancy lights, the smooth-talking sales guys—they all pitch you dreams. But here’s the reality: automation’s not about getting the newest toy in the industry. It’s about finding the right tool that actually fits your business.
And if you’re not careful, you’re bound to end up in the same mess you just got out of.
You’ve Seen the Damage. Now Do Your Homework.
You already know what happens when you don’t ask the right questions. The breakdowns, the downtime, the cost of fixing things on the fly—it adds up. So why rush back into the same situation?
This time, before you throw down the cash, you need to figure out exactly how a new machine is going to fit into your operation. Will it really solve the problem, or are you just hoping it will?
How much time is it going to take for your staff to get up to speed? What’s the maintenance cost gonna be when something inevitably goes wrong? You already know the price of winging it.
The Right Automation is Seamless, Not Stressful
Remember, you’ve seen the consequences when automation doesn’t blend into your workflow.
The right system should feel like it was designed specifically for your process, not something you have to shoehorn into place. The last thing you need is to disrupt your entire operation just to make a machine work. You want smooth, not stressful.
So take a beat, ask the tough questions, and really think about how that machine’s going to fit with your team, your process, and your goals.
Don’t Get Burned Twice: Verify Before You Buy
You’ve been through the wringer once, so you know better than to take everything at face value. This time, get the proof. Test the machine, talk to other operators who’ve used it, and get a guarantee on the service and support. If you don’t verify every claim, you’re setting yourself up for round two of disappointment.
Curious about cannabis packaging automation that does it exactly what you need it for pre-rolls, jars, or bags?