Secret Shoppers in Cannabis Retail

Exploring the Trend of Secret Shoppers in Cannabis Retail

A new trend is emerging in cannabis retail compliance: secret shoppers. Whether required by regulation or implemented by licensees to ensure standards are met, secret shoppers are becoming more and more common in cannabis dispensary operations. These mystery shoppers are used to uphold critical security and compliance standards, such as age verification and product quality, making them a valuable addition …

Proactive Measures

Proactive Security vs. Reactive Security

Why should I hire security guards for my facility? We have cameras and an alarm system. Why would I need a security guard? Understanding the differences: Proactive Security is exactly as it sounds, being proactive. Reactive security is also self-understood. On a deeper level, proactive security is the highest level of security. Here’s why. Why is Proactive Security Important? Practically …

Security Training for Dispensary Employees

Security Training for Dispensary Employees 

One of the most crucial aspects of running a high-risk business is ensuring that your employees are well-versed in your dispensary’s security standards and procedures. There is a clear correlation between your company’s long-term success and how well trained your employees are. Trained employees off your business a better ROI because they are aware of the company’s losses if they …

Designing a Cannabis Dispensary that Deters Crime

Designing a Cannabis Dispensary that Deters Crime

This article was originally featured on the RDC blog here. Designing a successful dispensary can be challenging in any location, but when the retailer is located in a high-crime area this task becomes even more difficult. Since it is not always possible to obtain property in a low-crime area due to competitive markets, zoning laws, and other factors, dispensary owners …

New York Regulatory Update

New York Regulatory Update

This article was originally featured on the RDC blog here. Though medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 2014, recreational cannabis was only recently legalized in New York in 2021. The rollout of recreational cannabis has been slow in New York, but draft regulations were recently released and now the industry is gearing up for licensing. It is projected that the New …

What are Smart Safes and How to Use Them in Cannabis Dispensaries

What are Smart Safes and How to Use Them at Cannabis Dispensaries

The cannabis industry presents a very unique and challenging field to conduct business in. Not only must cannabis businesses navigate the waters of a semi-legal industry, but they must also deal almost exclusively in cash. Handling and managing cash can pose real financial risks for cannabis dispensaries. For starters, having large sums of cash present at your business invites criminal activity …

How to Prevent Wildings at Cannabis Dispensaries

How to Prevent “Wildings” at Your Cannabis Dispensary

In the past few years, retail stores across the United States have seen an influx in crime involving groups conducting smash and grab lootings, also known as “wildings.” Cannabis dispensaries have not been immune to these crimes and many of these “wildings” occurred in California. In most cases, the incidents were over in a matter of minutes – with looters …

Increased Security Requirements for Denver Dispensaries

Increased Security Requirements for Denver Dispensaries

As of January 1st, of this year, the city of Denver, Colorado has begun mandating cannabis dispensaries implement additional security requirements in response to recent increases in crime at cannabis businesses. There are over 200 dispensaries in Denver that produce an estimated $700 million in annual revenue that now must comply with regulations that bear additional costs and include the use of a secure storage …

Varying Security Challenges for Consumption Lounges v Dispensaries

Varying Security Challenges for Consumption Lounges v. Dispensaries

Adequately securing any cannabis operation is a difficult task, but securing where the public interacts with cannabis operations, is even more intense. Interacting with cannabis customers either within a cannabis retail store, or within a cannabis consumption space, requires your security plan to be well thought out, documented, and able to grow and change as you operate. Knowing the key …

How to Choose the Best Cannabis Delivery Software for Your Dispensary

This article was originally featured on the COVA blog. The pandemic and a preference for convenience have certainly changed the way people purchase just about everything, including cannabis. There has been a significant increase in E-commerce and delivery orders for cannabis products in the past couple of years- and these revenue streams are poised to grow bigger as new consumers enter the …