A Sacramento dispensary has become the first in California to allow customers to purchase cannabis products through self-checkout kiosks. Perfect Union Northside recently implemented RFID-powered self-checkout, a move approved by state regulators.
The introduction of this technology marks a significant development for California's cannabis industry, bringing a familiar retail convenience to a regulated product. MWG Holdings Group, the parent company of Perfect Union Northside, stated that the self-checkout system aims to provide a faster and more seamless experience for customers while enhancing inventory control and security for staff.
The RFID system allows for the rapid scanning of multiple items simultaneously, a departure from the traditional one-by-one product scanning. Before its rollout, the system underwent a review by the California Department of Cannabis Control. Regulators confirmed that the technology successfully integrated with the dispensary's payment systems and Metrc, the state's mandated cannabis tracking platform.
This initiative by Perfect Union Northside is part of a broader trend among cannabis retailers nationwide to modernize the shopping experience. The launch coincides with evolving public attitudes toward cannabis use. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that daily or near-daily marijuana use has surpassed regular alcohol consumption among Americans aged 12 and older. According to 2025 data, approximately 21.4 million Americans reported daily or near-daily cannabis use, compared to 17.2 million who consumed alcohol with similar frequency. Regular cannabis use also exceeded daily cigarette smoking, with 19.9 million Americans smoking cigarettes daily or nearly every day.
Dispensaries are increasingly adopting a more retail-oriented atmosphere, incorporating technologies commonly found in other consumer goods sectors. The self-checkout system at Perfect Union Northside is now operational at its Sacramento location, with the company anticipating improvements in inventory visibility, operational efficiency, and security across its business.