As of May 2023, Minnesota has passed a law legalizing adult-use cannabis. Signed by Governor Tim Walz, the law will go into effect on August 1st of this year. This new legislation creates the blueprint for adult-use cannabis in the state. A new Office of Cannabis Management will be established. This will regulate the cannabis business in the state, including …
U.S. Cannabis Legalization 2023 Update
2022 was an eventful year for cannabis activists, lawmakers, businesses, and consumers. 4 U.S. states legalized either medical or recreational cannabis, and most of them are from the Southeast region. As of January 2023, 38 states have a medical cannabis program, and 22 have legal recreational cannabis. States that Legalized Cannabis Here is a map that demonstrates the legal status …
80s Party Recap
Cova Software, a cannabis POS system, and Sapphire Risk Advisory Group, security consultants for cannabis businesses, took us back to the 80s at a totally rad, MJBizCon afterparty! “VIP Members” were instructed to arrive at The Doyle in true, 80’s Glam fashion on November 16, 2022. 80s Party Features and Attractions A live band played some 80’s classics that helped …
3 Tips for Creating a Security Plan for a Competitive Cannabis Business Application
The cannabis market is thriving as states continue to legalize medical and recreational use. It is encouraging that a once-taboo subject is now being accepted nationally. Many people are excited to get a slice of the prize and open their own “mom n’ pop” dispensary. Unfortunately, there are a few hoops that you’ll have to jump through before opening up …
Kingpin Party Suite Recap
What happens when you mix Las Vegas and a cannabis convention? A Kingpin party of course! There was no “pin” left standing after the night was over. Temeka Group, Sapphire Risk, Blaze, Zoned Properties, and GreenSpacePro hosted a fantastic MJBiz Convention after party up in the Palms Casino suite. The event ran from 7-11 PM late Thursday evening (November 17), …
Changes in the California Cannabis Industry
With new legislation passing and updated regulations going into place, there are a considerable number of changes coming to the adult-use and medical cannabis markets in the State of California. The California Department of Cannabis Control announced that they have adopted a package that both streamlines and simplifies cannabis regulatory burdens in the state. Among these changes are new opportunities …
Increase in Cannabis Business Burglaries and Break-Ins
In recent months, there has been an uptick cannabis business burglaries and theft across the United States and Canada. As a result, many areas that permit cannabis have released advisories notifying cannabis businesses about this increase and providing guidance on how to better prevent theft. This is especially true in states and provinces that have been hit the hardest as …
Armed Robberies Awareness and Prevention in the Cannabis Industry
Every retail store and facility is susceptible to armed robberies, but the risk can be higher depending on the type of product the store is known to sell. High-risk business owners, such as those in the cannabis industry, must assess all the risk factors. This includes the type of industry they operate, the products they sell or cultivate, the store/facility’s …
CPTED for Cannabis Businesses – Part 2
CPTED or Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design is the approach to crime prevention that utilizes architecture, urban planning, and facility management to deter criminal acts. When properly utilized, CPTED is an extremely successful method of crime prevention for any business, especially high-risk businesses like those in the cannabis industry. While CPTED has been tried and tested since the mid-1900s, newer …
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 …