What to Expect From an AGCO Inspection: A Retailer’s Guide
Running an Ontario cannabis dispensary comes with a unique challenge: compliance isn’t optional; it’s the backbone of your business. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) conducts regular inspections to make sure retailers are following the rules, and if you’re not prepared, the results can be costly.
Whether you’re about to open your first location or have been operating for years, here’s what to expect when inspectors walk through your door.
1. Store Layout & Security
Inspectors will check that your store matches the floor plan you submitted in your license application. Every required spot, from entrances, to storage rooms, to sales counters need to be covered by security cameras, with recordings stored and accessible.
💡 Pro tip: Test your cameras a day before inspection. A missing feed or broken recorder is one of the easiest fails to avoid.
2. Restricted Areas
Only staff should have access to storage or back-of-house areas. Inspectors will ask how you enforce this. You may use locked doors, key cards, or supervised entry.
💡 Pro tip: Never leave restricted doors wedged open for convenience. They must stay locked at all times, or inspectors will see it as a compliance failure.
3. Staff Training & Certification
Every employee who works in your store – budtender, manager, or owner – must complete an AGCO-approved training program before they start. Right now, that means either CannSell or the newer CTC 1: Retail Certification Program (introduced in 2024). Inspectors will often ask to see proof of certification.
💡 Pro tip: Keep digital or printed copies of all staff certificates in one place so you’re never scrambling during an inspection.
4. Inventory & Record-Keeping
The AGCO wants to know your shipments, sales, and destroyed products are accounted for. They may compare your system with OCS reporting to confirm nothing is missing. Strong cannabis inventory management practices are a must.
💡 Pro tip: Do your own mini-audit before inspection day. Fix discrepancies before they become someone else’s problem.
5. Marketing & Promotion Rules
Inspectors will review signage, displays, and your online presence. Anything that appeals to minors or bends inducement rules can earn you a penalty. This falls under the bigger umbrella of cannabis store marketing, where the line between creative and compliant is razor thin.
💡 Pro tip: Walk through your store like an inspector. If something feels “off brand for AGCO,” it probably is.
6. Day-to-Day Operations
Expect spot checks with your staff. Inspectors might ask about ID checks, daily sales limits, or what happens when someone tries to purchase more than 30 grams. These are the building blocks of cannabis retail operations, and inspectors want to see that compliance is part of your everyday workflow.
💡 Pro tip: Role-play inspection questions with your team. A confident answer from a budtender shows you’re not just compliant on paper, but in practice as well.
Meet Kurli.
AGCO inspections don’t need to feel like a pop quiz. With the right prep, you can turn inspection day into a simple formality. More importantly, you’ll build a culture of AGCO compliance that protects your license and your bottom line.
Kurli makes inspections easier by building compliance right into your daily workflow. From cannabis POS system integration to cannabis retail software tools, Kurli keeps your shop inspection-ready, without the stress.
Interested? Let’s talk.