OP-ED: Reliable Automation Ain’t Cheap, But It’s Priceless

You want to make it in the cannabis pre-roll game? Then listen up, ’cause this ain’t the kinda thing you wanna half-ass. Sure, automation ain’t cheap. But lemme tell ya, it’s priceless if you’re playing the long game.

The Hidden Cost of Labor: More Than You Think

Let’s start with the obvious: labor costs. You ever watch a guy hand-pack cones all day? Slow as molasses, mistakes all over the place, and don’t even get me started on the breaks. That’s where automation steps in. A pre-roll machine does the work of a whole crew—faster, more accurate, and it doesn’t call in sick.

Upfront Investment? Nah, It’s a Downpayment on Growth

Now, I know what you’re thinking—”But Tony, these machines cost a small fortune!”

Yeah, they ain’t cheap, but think about what you’re really paying for. A machine that pumps out perfect joints every time, boosting your output, and saving you cash on labor.

And let’s talk about consistency. The product’s gotta be flawless, or you lose customers. One bad batch, and the streets talk. You can’t afford that.

Time is Money, and Efficiency is King

You’re running a business, not a charity. Every hour a human’s in there fumbling with papers and flower, you’re losing dough.

Automation—assuming you have a reliable machine—turns hours into minutes and pennies into dollars. Plus, it scales. You want to grow your operation? Good luck doing that with a bunch of guys rolling joints by hand or even knockboxes. You’ll hit a wall quicker than you think.

You want a thriving business model or not?

Go Cheap Now, Pay Twice Later

Skimping now is like trying to drive cross-country with no gas. You’ll end up paying twice as much fixing problems that could’ve been avoided if you’d just done it right the first time.