What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth marks the day that enslaved African Americans were no longer under the hands of Texans. This federal holiday is meant to celebrate the freedom that African Americans gained that day, as well as bring light to the racism that African Americans still experience in modern-day history. On June 19th, 1865, Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, …
Commercial Security Meets the Needs of Evolving Cannabis Industry
This article was originally featured on Security Info Watch here. The nationwide legalization of medical and recreational, adult-use cannabis continues to face slow progress and partisan political disagreement in the U.S., even as more states make marijuana legal and nine-in-ten Americans say they support some form of marijuana legalization. It’s likely a matter of when, not if, cannabis is sanctioned at the …
CCTV: Risk or Relic?
It’s time to say goodbye to CCTV. All technologies eventually become obsolete and are replaced by more advanced devices. This is especially true in the security industry where faster, smaller, and smarter devices are created every year. Despite all of the progress in the industry, one technology has managed to hang on longer than others: CCTV, or closed-circuit television. While …
The History of Cannabis in New York
This article was originally featured on the Point Seven Group Industry News blog here. Though adult-use cannabis was only recently legalized in New York, the plant has had a long history in the state including cannabis decriminalization that started in the 1970s and a medical marijuana program that was established in 2014. Cannabis decriminalization efforts started early in New York …
Video Surveillance System or Security Guard – What is the Best Choice for Your Business?
This article was originally featured on the Netwatch USA blog here. Choosing between a video surveillance system or a security guard can be difficult, given the range of factors to consider. If you are unsure which route offers better protection for your business, then continue reading. Common considerations to explore before choosing a security solution include: Cost Reliability Response Times …
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 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
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 …
Detecting Internal Theft at a Cannabis Business
Since preventing shoplifting and other methods of external theft is usually the priority of cannabis security plans, internal theft can sometimes be overlooked. On average, employees cause about 90% of all theft losses. Additionally, when asked, 60% of employees stated that they would steal from their employer if they knew they wouldn’t get caught according to the FBI. Despite the obvious dangers …
Do States Have Security Regulations for Cannabis Laboratories?
Cultivators and dispensaries have different but important security needs; thus, regulators mandate requirements of facilities to ensure that the businesses do not fall victim to theft and diversion. Common regulations involve commercial video, alarm, and access control systems. These requirements are the minimum for businesses, and businesses can choose to do more than the regulators require. How about laboratories though? …