The Backbone of the Industry: A Guide to Cannabis B2B & Wholesale Platforms

In the rapidly evolving legal cannabis market, the “middleman” is more than just a link in the chain—it is the digital and physical infrastructure that keeps the industry compliant and profitable. For dispensaries looking to stock their shelves and brands looking to scale, choosing the right partner is critical.

Below is a breakdown of the top platforms currently dominating the B2B and wholesale space.


1. Digital Marketplaces: The Virtual Showroom

These platforms are where the commerce happens. They allow retail buyers to browse live menus from hundreds of brands, compare prices, and place orders in a centralized dashboard.

  • LeafLink: Often cited as the industry leader, LeafLink operates in over 30 markets. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for order management, payments, and logistics. Their recent acquisition of Leaf Trade has further solidified their position in the enterprise and MSO (Multi-State Operator) sector.
  • Apex Trading: Known for its user-friendly interface, Apex Trading allows brands to create custom, branded storefronts. This helps sellers maintain direct relationships with their buyers while automating the inventory and sales process.
  • Distru: While it acts as a powerful ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) tool, Distru also offers a commerce component that allows for seamless wholesale ordering directly synced with Metrc and real-time inventory.

2. Fulfillment & Logistics: The Physical Powerhouses

A digital order is only as good as the truck that delivers it. In states like California, specialized third-party distributors handle the heavy lifting of warehousing and compliance.

  • Nabis: As the largest licensed wholesaler in California, Nabis provides a “distribution-as-a-service” model. They handle the physical storage, testing coordination, and delivery, while also offering financial tools like Nabis Capital to help brands manage cash flow.
  • Grassdoor: While widely known for consumer delivery, Grassdoor also provides white-label logistics and rapid fulfillment services that help bridge the gap between wholesale production and retail availability.

3. Retail Infrastructure & Compliance

Some platforms focus on the “back-of-house” operations, ensuring that every wholesale move is tracked for the government.

  • Dutchie: A titan in the POS (Point of Sale) space, Dutchie provides the essential e-commerce and inventory tools that dispensaries use to manage their incoming wholesale shipments and outgoing retail sales.
  • IndicaOnline: This platform offers a robust POS system with built-in features for managing medical and recreational wholesale inventory across multiple locations.

Summary Table: Which Platform Do You Need?

Platform Type Best For… Key Player(s)
B2B Marketplace Sourcing new brands & centralized ordering LeafLink, Apex Trading
Physical Distribution Warehousing, delivery, & lab testing Nabis
Inventory/POS Compliance tracking & retail management Dutchie, Distru

The right B2B partner can reduce your overhead and ensure you never have “dead” shelf space. Whether you are a cultivator in Oregon or a dispensary owner in New York, leveraging these platforms is the best way to stay competitive in 2026.