Maine Manager Reference

Manager Training & Compliance Hub

Comprehensive guide for Maine cannabis retail managers. Covers daily workflow, compliance oversight, incident escalation, staff training, audit prep, accessibility, and statutory/OCP citations. Built for print, mobile, and shift handoff.

Daily Checklist Compliance Oversight Incident Escalation Staff Training Audit Prep

Sync this hub with the Retail Operations Playbook, METRC Manager Training, and budtender tools for frontline execution.

Daily Management Checklist

Start every shift with these compliance-critical steps. Print for handoff.

  • Review compliance bulletins and overnight incident notes. OCP Guidance
  • Assign roles (greeter, inventory runner, closing lead) before doors open.
  • Verify signage, ID equipment, and product labeling. 28-B §509, §504(4), §701
  • Conduct opening inventory reconciliation in METRC. 28-B §105
  • Confirm staff training status and compliance knowledge.

Compliance Oversight

Manager duties for regulatory compliance and operational integrity.

  • Monitor all transactions for compliance with purchase limits, ID checks, and prohibited sales. 28-B §504, §1501
  • Oversee daily METRC reconciliation and variance reporting. 28-B §105
  • Ensure all corrective actions and compliance reports are documented and retained for 2 years. 28-B §305
  • Respond to OCP bulletins and update SOPs as needed.

Incident Escalation Protocols

Follow these steps for common incidents. Document and escalate per SOP.

  • Failed ID scan or suspected fake: Escalate to management, log incident, and notify OCP if unresolved. 28-B §504(4)
  • Suspected diversion, theft, or security breach: Document, notify ownership, and report to OCP. 28-B §303
  • Inventory discrepancy: Attempt reconciliation, escalate unresolved issues to OCP. 28-B §105
  • Customer dispute or compliance challenge: Remain calm, cite the rule, and offer to escalate to OCP or legal counsel.

Staff Training Procedures

Ensure all staff are trained on compliance, METRC workflows, and incident handling.

  • Conduct onboarding and refresher training for all staff. OCP Guidance
  • Monitor staff performance and provide corrective coaching as needed.
  • Train staff on METRC workflows, error resolution, and compliance protocols. 28-B §105
  • Document all training sessions and retain records for audit. 28-B §305

Audit Preparation

Prepare for OCP inspections and regulatory audits.

  • Prepare all METRC records, logs, and manifests for inspection. 28-B §301
  • Conduct mock audits to ensure readiness. OCP Guidance
  • Ensure sales, inventory, and transfer logs are accessible within minutes.
  • Retain all audit documentation for 2 years. 28-B §305

Accessibility & Print Features

This guide works with assistive technology and prints cleanly for binder storage or counter reference.

For Users with Assistive Technology

  • Screen readers: Navigate by heading to jump between sections. All content is properly labeled.
  • Keyboard users: Tab through interactive elements. A "Skip to content" link appears at page load.
  • High contrast: Text meets WCAG AA readability standards on all backgrounds.

For Printing

  • Clean layout: Navigation and interactive elements hide automatically when printing.
  • Optimized spacing: Sections break clearly for easy reference in binders or at the counter.
  • Save as PDF: Use your browser's print dialog to create digital copies for staff training.

Shift Management

Tools and procedures for effective shift leadership.

Briefing

Opening Briefing

Align the team on goals, SOP updates, and daily promotional focus.

Monitoring

Performance Tracking

Review sales pacing, attach rates, and guest experience scores every shift.

Resolution

Conflict Management

Document complaints quickly and escalate trends to ownership and compliance.

Opening routine

Opening Briefing

  • • Review compliance bulletins and overnight incident notes.
  • • Assign roles (greeter, inventory runner, closing lead) before doors open.
  • • Set two measurable goals for the shift and log outcomes.
During shift

Performance Tracking

  • • Monitor attach rates, loyalty capture, and queue times each hour.
  • • Coach in the moment—celebrate wins and reset scripts immediately.
  • • Record notable performance trends for weekly one-on-ones.
Escalations

Conflict Management

  • • Use LEAP (Listen, Empathize, Apologize, Provide next steps) for guest issues.
  • • Document disruptive behavior and trespass warnings with time stamps.
  • • Follow HR escalation flow for staff disputes and recap outcomes.

Compliance Oversight

Daily and weekly checkpoints to keep the store inspection-ready.

Daily

Daily Compliance Check

Opening and closing walkthrough covering signage, safes, surveillance, and logs.

Inventory

METRC Reconciliation

Cross-check packages, investigate variances, and finalize discrepancy reports.

Training

Staff Certification

Track onboarding, annual refreshers, and disciplinary documentation.

Audit

OCP Inspection Prep

Keep binders current, stage mock interviews, and confirm required postings.

Security

Security Protocols

Verify camera uptime, door access permissions, and incident escalation trees.

Daily

Daily Compliance Check

  • • Verify surveillance uptime, safe counts, and refuse log entries.
  • • Ensure all required signage and licenses are posted and undamaged.
  • • Capture findings in the compliance tracker with photos where needed.
Inventory

METRC Reconciliation

  • • Compare physical counts to METRC packages before close.
  • • Investigate variances immediately—no carryover discrepancies.
  • • File discrepancy forms and notify the compliance lead.
People

Staff Certification

  • • Maintain a roster of training completion dates and upcoming renewals.
  • • Pair new hires with mentors and document shadow shifts.
  • • Escalate missed deadlines or policy failures to HR within 24 hours.
Readiness

OCP Inspection Prep

  • • Keep digital and physical binders synchronized weekly.
  • • Update response scripts for common inspector questions.
  • • Stage mock inspections quarterly and document improvement items.
Security

Security Protocols

  • • Audit key fob permissions and deactivate former employees immediately.
  • • Confirm panic buttons, alarms, and CCTV backup storage.
  • • Log any incident or police interaction with supporting evidence.

Reporting & Analytics

Stay ahead of inspections and leadership asks with proactive reporting.

Sales

Sales Analytics

Automate daily sales rollups and highlight anomalies for executive review.

Customer

Customer Insights

Collect survey data, net promoter scores, and social feedback for trends.

Regulatory

Compliance Reporting

Calendar OCP filings, tax remittances, and municipal updates with reminders.

Analytics

Sales Reporting

  • • Automate daily summaries with gross/net, markdowns, and tax detail.
  • • Highlight anomalies (void spikes, low conversion) for leadership review.
  • • Archive reports for at least two years in shared storage.
Guest voice

Customer Insights

  • • Track NPS, review scores, and direct feedback weekly.
  • • Tag issues (wait time, product availability, service) for trend spotting.
  • • Loop wins into coaching moments with shout-outs.
Compliance

Regulatory Reporting

  • • Maintain a compliance calendar with state, municipal, and tax deadlines.
  • • Double-check filings against METRC data and financial systems.
  • • Store submission receipts and confirmation emails centrally.

Log escalations, METRC variances, and training actions in a shared tracker so relief managers can pick up instantly.