In the year 2020, businesses have seen an increase of civil unrest, rioting and the looting. Cannabis businesses have not been immune. In California, many businesses were likely targeted in a consorted effort to steal cash and cannabis inventory.
Blunts+Moore is the first Oakland dispensary opened through the city’s equity program. co-founder, David Kotler, is an attorney in the legal cannabis sector. “…having a break-in like that, where inventory is affected, is disappointing,” said Kotler. Blunts+Moore was one of multiple California dispensaries targeted, including Cookies, Magnolia Wellness and MedMen.
“…use it as an opportunity to look inward and see where everyone’s [security] standards are,” Kotler said. “It forced us to look more closely at how we are operating.”
Cannabis business owners are having to keep up with evolving regulatory demands. To be prepared to mitigate changing security demands, business owners are staying in tune to the community around them. Security is important with increasing periods of civil unrest and crime.
“Unfortunately, you learn from experience… now is a really good time to do security audits,” Kotler said. “Spend a little money looking at what’s in place and get ahead of it.”
Kotler is helping Blunts+Moore recover by looking into their insurance policy and suggesting operating changes to better secure the facility. He explained some security improvements are universal, and recent events have caused him to think different about security.
Kotler was at a retail build-out in Michigan, and somebody used a brick to prop the front door open. “…there’s a probability that brick is going through that plate glass façade,” Kotler said. “Would I have thought about that a year ago? Maybe not.”
Cannabis business owners are learning from the crime occurring in businesses across the country. They are applying proactive security measures to prevent becoming an easy target. Installing steel bollards or metal roll-down doors can discourage criminal attempts and prevent illegal intrusions.
How can Sapphire Risk help?
Tony Gallo and the team at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group has over 30 years of security experience and expertise. Take advantage of our security consulting services and subscribe to our newsletter to learn more. Follow us on Facebook or connect with us on LinkedIn to receive further security updates.
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