The cannabis industry has seen many states legalize recreational and medicinal marijuana over the past few years. As many states have their own rules and regulations to govern operations, it becomes crucial to hire someone who is not only familiar with the rules and regulations for security, but also with best practices for security design and installation methods. Hiring a company with no experience could result in failure to pass the initial inspection, creating a costly penalty or revocation of your license.
Cannabis Industry Rules & Regulations
Cannabis security installations may use the same commercial hardware for standard security systems for retailers or industrial facilities; however, specifications will differ to meet compliance needs. Access control, alarm, and surveillance systems will typically be more robust than a regular commercial installation.
One common regulatory requirement is to include placing access control on doors that lead to where any cannabis products are being produced, stored, or handled. In Massachusetts, for example, limited access areas include any indoor or outdoor area where cannabis or marijuana products are cultivated, stored, weighed, packaged, processed, or disposed. Therefore, short hallways could have multiple access control devices. Meanwhile, most non-cannabis commercial applications would only necessitate access control on a few doors in the entire facility.
Cameras are absolutely essential. Regulations may demand 24/7 footage with a clear view of all employee handling of cannabis and cash stored anywhere from 30 days to a full year. This storage requirement can be costly due to the equipment and bandwidth required.
Security Floor Plan Design – Application vs Build-Out
A security floor plan design is not only an important planning step, but is also normally required for your application process in many states… In Ohio, 20% of your score was dependent on your security plan submission, with 5% directly attributable to the floor plan. Since applications can be extremely competitive, it is crucial that you hire a cannabis security expert who will be able to complete this for you.
Once your application has been approved, the build-out process begins. As is common in construction, some items will be changed, added, or removed from your original floor plan. Product storage may alter camera or motion detector placement for effectiveness or to prevent obstruction.
The correct location for camera placement may differ from your application floor plan. Ceiling heights, lighting, or air vents can affect placement. Your security specialist should be able to work with your general contractor, electrician, IT department, and others to stay compliant and follow all necessary installation requirements for your equipment.
Best Practices vs Minimum Requirements
As with many vendors for your facility, some businesses have more experience with commercial facilities as well as with cannabis. These vendors can provide information that not only meets state and local requirements, but also best practices from having relevant experience.
In recent years, the state of California adopted new regulations. Unfortunately, many facilities were already operating and typically had minimal security systems in place. Once operating, it can be frustrating to place business on hold in order for an integrator to come in and add equipment. An experienced integrator can assist these businesses in resuming activity promptly and ensuring they do not fail any inspections.
Best practices for security may include adding additional glass break detectors, motion detectors, cameras, and access control on doors. Minimum requirements may suffice; however, burglars and robbers have gone to extraordinary lengths to gain access to cash and cannabis.
Finding a vendor who can recommend the equipment and tools to successfully protect your business can sometimes cost more upfront but can result in a lower risk of a successful burglary or robbery.
Finding Your Cannabis Security Expert
Vendors that have already encountered the extensive reading, understanding, and research to understand cannabis rules and regulations will save you time and energy, especially helpful if the regulators demand you open by a deadline. Best practices truly come into play with experienced integrators who have learned from other states. Your team will be fundamental to your business success. Making good decisions for security will save you time and money in the short- and long-term.
About the Author
Haley Glover has several years of experience in the security industry developing and managing security integration projects for Cannabis, Jewelry, Pawn, and the Department of Defense clients. She is currently a business development and account manager for Sapphire Risk Advisory Group. Haley has also received her Level 1 Alarm Technician License from ESA.