SparkPlug took on the budtender problem

One of the cannabis industry's unique retail challenges is sometimes called 'the budtender problem.'

It goes like this: Since so many customers don't have regular brand preferences, budtenders' recommendations often sway purchasing decisions. But retailers, brands and the budtenders themselves, who have high turnover rates, struggle to capitalize on that influence.

A tech company called SparkPlug has gone some way to address the issue. The company is best known for standardizing budtender incentive programs with cash and other awards. Brands can structure these "sparks" to pay for . . .