Why Most Cannabis Tech Sucks (and What Retailers Should Demand Instead)

[image: A budtender and customer smiling during a transaction using Cova’s
dispensary POS system]
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Why Most Cannabis Tech Sucks (and What Retailers Should Demand Instead)

Let’s be honest: Most cannabis technology promises the world only to fall
apart when you need it most. Point-of-sale (POS) outages on peak days,
support tickets that disappear into chatbots, surprise fees . . . and
systems that buckle the moment regulations change or a second location
opens. That’s why industry recognition matters — not as a trophy, but as a
signal of trust and reliability.

In 2025, the Emjays Awards named Cova *Cannabis Retail Software of the Year*
for the second year in a row. This isn’t a popularity contest or a
vendor-sponsored badge. Winners are selected by customer voting and a panel
of industry judges, making the Emjays one of the most meaningful
recognitions in cannabis retail technology. In a market with more than
forty cannabis POS providers, that distinction sends a clear message to
retailers evaluating risk.
The standard for cannabis POS reliability

- 100% uptime on 4/20 for eight consecutive years.
- Real human support in under thirty seconds — no chatbots.
- Built to scale across regulated, multi-store operations.

For retailers, this recognition represents risk reduction: technology
that’s been pressure-tested in real stores, real markets, and real
regulatory environments.
Is Cova Software really the best cannabis tech?
[image: The Cova Software team accepting the 2025 Emjays Software/Tech
Company of the Year award.]Photo: Cova Software

Cova has earned multiple industry awards over the years, but recognition
from the Emjays stands out because of *how* winners are chosen — and *why*
that matters to operators.

Being voted *Cannabis Retail Software of the Year by the Emjays* reflects
innovation, consistency, reliability, and — most importantly — customer
trust earned over time.

For cannabis retailers evaluating their technology needs, that kind of
recognition lowers the odds of costly mistakes. It means the Cova platform
is trusted by peers, validated by experts, and proven in the field. It
signals a platform that works not just in demos, but also on the floor
through busy weekends, the biggest holidays, regulatory changes, and at
scale.
Reliability when it matters most

POS reliability isn’t a “nice to have” in cannabis. It’s mission critical.

*🟢 100% uptime on 4/20 for eight years running* — that’s a benchmark no
other POS platform can claim.

While outages on the industry’s biggest sales day have become almost
expected, Cova has delivered uninterrupted performance year after year.
It’s built for high-volume environments, multi-location operators, and
heavily regulated markets where failure isn’t an option.
Built to handle regulatory chaos with zero disruptions

Cannabis retailers don’t control when regulations change, but they live
with the consequences.

When New York unexpectedly transitioned its track-and-trace system from
BioTrack to Metrc, many retailers faced uncertainty, downtime risk, and
compliance anxiety — all in the middle of the holiday season.

Cova didn’t wait. The team worked tirelessly through that period to ensure
customers migrated smoothly, remained compliant, and kept stores running
without interruption.

The bottom line is that Cova doesn’t avoid complexity. Rather, the company
leans into it to solve the problems directly affecting retailers’
livelihoods. That’s just one of the reasons Cova continues to be trusted as
a *t**op dispensary software for New York** and Minnesota*, two of the most
tightly regulated cannabis markets in the U.S.

Learn how Cova supports fast regulatory changes and keeps retailers
compliant.
Real human support in under 30 seconds
[image: A close-up of a retail transaction being processed quickly on a
Cova POS tablet in a dispensary.]Photo: Cova Software

Technology is only as good as the support behind it. Cova’s support team is
fully in-house, not outsourced, and composed of product experts who work
closely with the development team. When retailers call for help, they’re
speaking with someone who understands both the software and the realities
of cannabis retail.

*🟢 Average phone support wait time: under 30 seconds.*

In an era where some POS providers are charging for phone support and
forcing customers to interact with chatbots, Cova continues to invest in
real human help.
Want human support that actually picks up? Let’s talk.
Technology retailers actually enjoy using

Reliability is indispensable, but usability is what staff members
experience every day. Cova designs products that remove friction from
cannabis retail workflows. That means minimizing manual work, automating
where possible, and simplifying complex processes without sacrificing
compliance.

Recent customer favorites include:

- The new reporting and backend hub, which centralizes key commands into
a fast, intuitive interface.
- Thoughtful, role-based workflows that help staff move quickly without
errors.
- Cova Pay, which delivers a payments experience that goes beyond
industry standards and reduces friction at checkout.

The result is a system teams actually enjoy using — one that helps stores
move faster, train more easily, and focus on customers instead of
troubleshooting software.

See how real retailers use Cova to streamline operations and scale
confidently.
[image: Promotional banner for Cova Software featuring the 'Least Sucky
POS' headline and retail tablets.]
Cost-effective without cutting corners

Cova offers a top-tier cannabis retail system that doesn’t break the bank.
Transparent pricing and flexible plans deliver industry-leading value
compared to other POS platforms. As you scale to additional locations, the
cost efficiency pays off even more. There are no surprise fees, no
unnecessary add-ons, and no pressure to sacrifice functionality to keep
costs under control.

Cova doesn’t hide costs. View pricing here.
Recognition that reflects real-world performance

Being voted *Cannabis Retail Software of the Year* two years in a row
signals that Cova is delivering where it counts the most: uptime,
compliance, usability, support, and long-term partnership. For cannabis
retailers operating in an increasingly complex market, it means even more:
trust and reliability.

If you’re finished dealing with system outages, slow and robotic support,
and surprise fees, connect with Cova and see why cannabis retailers trust
the platform with their business year after year.
[image: Cova Logo]
Cova covasoftware.com