(Photo credit: David McNew/Getty Images)
MJ Freeway, a software platform used widely by state-legal marijuana businesses, crashed over the weekend due to an apparent cyberattack, forcing a number of medical dispensaries and recreational pot shops across the country to close Sunday, Marijuana Business Daily reports.
MJ Freeway systems are experiencing an interruption. We're working hard to resolve. We apologize to clients. Updates via email & @MJFSupport
— MJ Freeway (@mjfreeway) January 8, 2017
Marijuana businesses use MJ Freeway to facilitate sales transactions, manage patient records, track inventory and for general operations. Importantly, the software helps ensure that marijuana businesses remain compliant with state and local cannabis laws.
The crash affected operations at 1,000 retailers in 23 states, but MJ Freeway says no client data was stolen.
Clients: We realize this is serious & impacts your business. We apologize. We've identified cause. We'll work overnight to restore systems
— MJ Freeway (@mjfreeway) January 9, 2017
We want clients to know that ALL client data is locked behind firewalls.
— MJ Freeway Support (@MJFSupport) January 9, 2017
The Denver-based company said the outage is believed to be caused by a “cyber attack (sic) of unknown origin.”
“Our initial analysis indicates that this was a direct attack on MJ Freeway’s infrastructure,” Jeannette Ward, MJ Freeway’s director of data and marketing, told Marijuana Business Daily.
Progress is being made on a resolution to systems issue. We are working this issue all hands on deck. An ETA will be available soon.
— MJ Freeway Support (@MJFSupport) January 8, 2017
We're incredibly sorry. We recognize this is a serious, extended event that impacts your business. Resolution procedures are underway.
— MJ Freeway Support (@MJFSupport) January 9, 2017
Many marijuana retailers were forced to shut down operations Sunday because they don’t have an alternative to MJ Freeway. The company tweeted Monday morning that an “alternative site” would be available to clients that morning.
Clients: MJF teams worked overnight on recovery. The process is progressing slowly. Access to an alternative site will be available today.
— MJ Freeway (@mjfreeway) January 9, 2017
An alternative site will be available for you this morning. Individual communications as well as all client emails will be carried out.
— MJ Freeway Support (@MJFSupport) January 9, 2017
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