Let’s Have a Real Conversation
Not the polished kind that gets wrapped in marketing buzzwords, but the kind that comes from a place of deep care and unshakable honesty.
The cannabis industry is standing on a precipice. On one side, there’s untapped potential, equity, and innovation. On the other? A dangerous slide into complacency and exploitation.
The truth no one wants to say is this: too many companies profit from cannabis without truly committing to it.
They’ll tell you they’re “cannabis-friendly” while quietly hiding their affiliation from banks. Sounds harmless enough, right? But here’s the fallout: when your payroll provider plays it safe to avoid scrutiny, you’re the one left holding the bag. Bank accounts get frozen without warning.
Employee paychecks bounce. Your revenue—your lifeline—is suddenly locked in financial limbo because your provider didn’t have the courage to stand by you. And what happens next? Employees don’t wait around when they don’t get paid. They leave, and now you’re dealing with high turnover costs, reputational damage, and the uphill battle of replacing trained staff in an already tight labor market.
Then there are the cookie-cutter solutions. They’ll hand you a system built for mainstream industries, one that completely ignores the reality of running a cannabis business. The compliance hurdles? Not their problem. The tax complexities? Figure it out yourself. The licensing nightmares? Good luck. When something inevitably goes wrong—because in cannabis, something always does—they shrug it off as “your responsibility.” And what’s the real cost of that? Missed deadlines, costly fines, lost employees, and audits that could threaten your entire operation. But the worst part? Your brand is at risk.
If your payroll provider fails you, it doesn’t just cost you money—it costs you credibility. In a market where trust is already fragile, can you really afford to be seen as the company that can’t even pay its people on time?
And don’t let the glossy conference booths fool you. Some of these companies show up to cannabis expos with big banners and flashy promises, but that’s where their involvement ends. They’re profiting from the industry without investing back into it. No community advocacy. No social justice initiatives. No education or mentorship to help businesses thrive. It’s performative at best, and at worst, it’s straight-up exploitation.
The Soul of “Cannabis Commitment”
And the sad part? This industry wasn’t built by corporations. It was built by fighters. By the risk-takers, the true innovators—the people who were punished, incarcerated, and marginalized for doing what’s now considered a “booming market.” The real OGs didn’t just plant seeds in soil; they planted the seeds of a movement. They risked everything to build what we now call a multi-billion-dollar industry, only to watch outsiders swoop in, profit off their legacy, and strip it of its integrity.
We owe it to them—to the people who sacrificed, who fought, who never gave up—to do better. As vendors, advocates, and business leaders, it’s our responsibility to ensure this industry doesn’t become just another corporate money grab.
Being cannabis-committed isn’t about slapping a green leaf on your website and calling it a day. It means standing in the trenches with the businesses we serve. It means ensuring their safety, protecting their livelihood, and fighting to legitimize their place in the market. It means building financial stability, keeping businesses compliant, and making sure their employees get paid—on time, every time. It’s about being more than a vendor. It’s about being a partner, a protector, and a champion for those navigating one of the toughest industries in the world.
For many of us, this is personal. We know what it’s like to be on the other side. To be that HR professional drowning in compliance paperwork. To be the business owner staring into the abyss of the unknown, trying to piece together a roadmap in an industry built on discrimination and underserved needs.
We’ve felt the weight of the stigma. We’ve faced the pressure to prove ourselves. We’ve fought through the overwhelming complexity of compliance, banking, and payroll, knowing that one mistake could cost everything.
And that’s why we’re here. Not just to sell a service—but to build something better. Because cannabis deserves real commitment. And so do you.
The Cannabis Commitment Scale: Our Manifesto
At Paragon Payroll, we’ve spent years navigating these challenges alongside our clients, and we’ve come to an important realization: If we want to hold this industry accountable, we need to step into that accountability ourselves. This isn’t just about demanding more from others—it’s about living up to the standards we set.
That’s why we’ve created the “Cannabis Commitment Scale”—a guide to live by and a promise to the cannabis community. This isn’t a marketing gimmick or a PR move. It’s a framework for doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest path.
Here are the hallmarks of true cannabis commitment, paired with actionable insights and defining quotes to help you evaluate your vendors, partners, and community:
The Cannabis Commitment Scale: Who’s Really Got Your Back?
Alright, pull up a chair, and let’s talk. Because if you’re in cannabis, I need you to hear me loud and clear: who you trust with your payroll can make or break your business.
And I know—you’ve got a million things on your plate. You’re dealing with compliance headaches, banking nightmares, and employees who count on that paycheck to drop on time. The last thing you need is a payroll provider that treats you like a liability instead of a partner.
So let’s get real about what’s out there. Because some providers? They’re in this for you. Others? They’ll throw you under the bus the second things get tricky.
Let’s break down who’s going to fight for you and who’s going to fold the second. It's inconvenient—so you can make a decision that protects your business, your people, and your future.
Cannabis Adverse: The Ones Who Slam the Door in Your Face
You ever walk into a store and immediately feel like you don’t belong? That’s these guys. They won’t just avoid working with cannabis businesses; they’ll make you feel like you’ve got something contagious.
Try to set up payroll with them, and you’ll get one of two responses: a flat-out “no” or some vague excuse about policies, regulations, and ‘company restrictions.’ Even if they say they serve “all industries,” the second they catch a whiff of cannabis, it’s game over. Their contracts straight-up disallow it, they have zero banking partners willing to touch the industry, and they probably still believe every dispensary is run by a dude in a tie-dye shirt named Moonbeam.
Let’s not even talk about compliance—because they won’t. They have no idea what licensing looks like, they offer zero protection if regulators come knocking, and if you so much as ask a question about 280E, their eyes glaze over. Customer support? Oh, they’ve got support—for the businesses they actually care about. You? You’ll be lucky if you get an email back before next quarter.
And if they did work with cannabis (which, again, they don’t), they’d be charging sky-high fees for the “added risk.” But let’s be honest—they aren’t in the business of taking risks. They’re in the business of playing it safe, and you? You deserve better than that.
Cannabis Tolerant: The Ones Who Hope No One Notices
These are the “cool” parents of payroll providers. They’ll let you stay out past curfew, but only if you don’t tell dad. They’ll take your money, process your payroll, and keep their heads down—just as long as nobody finds out.
Sounds fine, right? Wrong. Because guess what happens when their bank does find out? Your account gets frozen, your employees don’t get paid, and you’re left scrambling to clean up the mess. And do you think they’re going to fight for you? Oh, sweetie. No. They’re going to drop you faster than a hot potato and pretend they never knew you.
They have some cannabis clients, but they don’t advertise it. Their contracts don’t include cannabis-specific language (because if something happens, they want deniability), and they’ll never be the ones to remind you about licensing compliance. If you’re lucky, they’ll have a basic support team—but they’re not trained in cannabis, so enjoy explaining to them for the fiftieth time why your banking situation is complicated.
Their pricing? You’ll never really know what you’re paying until it’s too late. Between extra fees, vague “compliance costs,” and “industry risks,” the numbers will keep creeping up—because to them, you’re not a priority. You’re a side gig.
They’ll smile at you at industry events, but they won’t show up for you when it matters. And if that’s not a relationship you’d accept in your personal life, why accept it in your business?
Cannabis Friendly: The Ones Who Try, But Won’t Go the Distance
Now, these guys mean well. They like cannabis, they’re not ashamed to work with the industry, and they probably even know a little something about compliance. But here’s the problem: liking cannabis isn’t the same as being built for it.
They have one banking partner, which is better than nothing—but also means that if that bank decides to change its policies, you’re back at square one. They understand licensing if you ask about it, but they’re not proactively verifying it to protect you. They’ve got a support team that knows cannabis exists, but don’t expect them to predict problems before they happen.
Their pricing is decent, but still higher than it should be. They’ll show up to industry events, but they’re not leading conversations. They have a few partnerships, but you’re still mostly on your own when it comes to connecting with resources that actually help you grow.
If they were a friend, they’d be the one who always says, “We should totally hang out more!” but never actually makes plans. They care! They just...aren’t prioritizing you.
And in an industry like cannabis? That’s not enough.
Cannabis Committed: The Ones Who Go All In
This is where the real ones live. The fighters. The visionaries. The partners who actually want you to win. These providers don’t just accept cannabis businesses—they build their entire service around them.
They work with multiple cannabis-compliant banks, so you always have a backup plan. Your payroll isn’t going to get held hostage by one institution’s changing policies. They don’t wait for compliance issues to happen; they actively verify your licensing, include cannabis-specific protections in their contracts, and use third-party tools to keep your operation airtight.
When you need help? You get real, cannabis-trained professionals on the phone—not some generic rep who doesn’t know the difference between hemp and THC. Their response times are guaranteed, and they have direct escalation pathways—because they know that in cannabis, delays can mean disaster.
But here’s what really sets them apart: they show up for the industry. They don’t just attend events; they advocate. They support social justice initiatives. They mentor new entrepreneurs. They actually care about the community and are building a real network of partners to help cannabis businesses thrive.
And when it comes to pricing? No shady fees. No cannabis tax. No bullsh*t. Just transparent, fair pricing that respects your business instead of penalizing it.
Their branding? Proudly cannabis-focused. Their employees? Trained in cannabis compliance and regulations, so you’re never educating them. Their partnerships? An entire ecosystem of resources designed to make sure you have everything you need to grow.
These are the ones who dream big with you. The ones who aren’t just providing a service—they’re helping to shape the future of the industry. If you’re in cannabis, this is the level of commitment you deserve.
So, Who Do You Want In Your Corner?
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about payroll. It’s about your survival. Your ability to pay your employees, keep your business running, and plan for the future.
A provider that isn’t fully committed? That’s a risk you can’t afford to take.
So ask yourself—is your provider all in? If the answer isn’t a hell yes, then maybe it’s time to find someone who is. Because you deserve better. And in cannabis? Anything less than full commitment is just not good enough.
Why This Matters: Building a Better Future Together
Ultimately, this all matters because the cannabis industry is more than just a business—it’s a community, a movement, and a reflection of resilience. This is a competitive space, and it’s easy to get lost in the race for growth, but there’s one thing we should never compromise: integrity. The urgency here isn’t just about survival—it’s about setting a standard for how we show up for each other.
We don’t want to demonize anyone’s growth or journey to become better. In fact, this manifesto isn’t—and won’t ever be—the easiest for us to maintain ourselves. But with true dignity, we hand-picked every individual on our team to hold this commitment, to stand in the light of excellence, and to try our very best every single day.
And if we fall short? That’s when we need our team and our clients the most. To call us in. To hold us accountable. To push us to keep breaking molds and growing together. Because breaking stereotypes isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up with courage, humility, and a willingness to cut through the noise.
Let’s sit in our own excellence, cut the bullshit, and build something healthy, sustainable, and real. The truth is, we need each other. The only way this industry thrives is if we rise together—with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to do right by the people who made this industry possible in the first place.
Your Business, Your People, Your Future—It All Hinges on Who You Trust, So Choose Wisely
I say this with nothing but love and tough honesty—if your payroll provider, your bank, your “trusted partners” aren’t fully standing with you, then what are they even doing? You deserve more than a vendor who treats you like a risk. You deserve someone who sees your vision, believes in your business, and fights for your success like it’s their own.
Are the people in your corner truly standing with you, or just playing it safe?
This industry wasn’t built by corporations looking to cash in—it was built by risk-takers, visionaries, and fighters who pushed forward even when the odds were stacked against them. They didn’t just build businesses; they built a movement—one rooted in community, equity, and the fight for legitimacy.
If we don’t demand that same level of commitment and integrity now, then when? The future of cannabis depends on those who show up, give back, and protect the people who built this industry in the first place. Let’s make sure the legacy we leave is one of strength, fairness, and real change—because this isn’t just about today. It’s about building something lasting, something worthy, something that truly serves the community.
