One hundred years ago on January 17, the United States federal government instituted a ban on alcohol, issuing in a 13-year era known as the “Prohibition Period.” Largely considered a political failure, 1920-1933 saw increases in organized crime, federal prison populations, and drug usage. This time period also saw the ban of another kind of drug: cannabis. Between 1916 and …
Federal Cannabis Policy 2020
With 2020 elections approaching, it’s beginning to look like cannabis laws and legalization could be a hot-button issue. Last week, a hearing entitled “Cannabis Policies for the New Decade” was held by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. During this legislative hearing, both Republican and Democratic representatives and witnesses from the FDA and DEA discussed cannabis’ health benefits …
How Scheduled Access may have Prevented a $100,000 Dispensary Burglary
Despite $10 million in sales within the first five days of legal recreational cannabis, not every dispensary in Illinois is reaping in the benefits. More than $100,000 in cash was stolen from Chicago dispensary MOCA Modern Cannabis on January 6. The burglary occurred around 3 a.m. when dispensary was closed for the night, so no staff or security personal were …
MJBizCon: Mary Jane’s Biggest Event of the Year
Photo from mjbizconference.com In the security industry, there are two conferences experts don’t want to miss: The International Security Conference and Exposition, commonly known as ISC West, and the ASIS Global Security Exchange. Security professionals converge at these annual events where they can network with other professionals, discover new products and emerging technologies, and learn about the latest industry trends. …
Attention Illinois Cannabis Community: It’s Time for Round 2!
Applications were released today for the Illinois Craft Grow, Infuser, and Transportation Organization Licenses. The Illinois Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications on February 14, 2020, and all applications must be submitted by March 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. At Sapphire Risk Advisory Group, we assisted several clients with security plans for the Illinois Dispensary round. Now we are …
Denver Dispensaries Show Reductions in Crime Rates
Almost every state has legalized cannabis to some extent, whether that be for medical or recreational use. But as cannabis businesses become more common, prejudices remain, and sometimes local officials and the communities they represent fight back. Although legal cannabis use is becoming more prevalent, communities still hold lingering fears of cannabis businesses increasing crime, turning suburban neighborhoods into crime-infested …