The recent spate of high-profile thefts and burglaries of cannabis dispensaries highlights the elevated risk such businesses face compared to many traditional businesses.

Limited access to banking services means many marijuana retailers are often forced to keep significant sums of cash on-site, and this makes them prime targets for thieves.

To protect your employees, customers, and assets you need to put a robust dispensary security plan in place. Here are the most important points you need to consider.

1. Learn Your State Security Regulations For Marijuana Dispensaries

Marijuana security regulations vary from state to state, and even from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

From video surveillance, access control and storage, you need to be aware of the specific security requirements demanded by your local or state authority. For instance, for video surveillance, you may need a minimum camera resolution and frames per second, as well as being required to keep it running at all times and to store the footage for at least 90 days.

2. Access Control

Whether required by regulations or not, you need to have an access control system in place.

By logging the credentials of those seeking access, it ensures only authorized individuals can enter. These systems also provide out-of-hours protection and can be configured to control access for a specific area, such as where you store inventory or cash.

3. Video Surveillance

Video surveillance is typically mandated by law and for good reason. It is an effective deterrent and is your best best for identifying a perpetrator.

Install the best video surveillance you can reasonably afford. Ideally, this will include high-quality images, sound, sensors and remote monitoring.

4. Storage Space Locks

The whole dispensary should have some form of access control, but you should also have extra locks and access control for storage areas. It may even be a legal requirement to do so.

5. Intrusion Alarms

It’s likely there will be no one on-site at your cannabis dispensary for the majority of the time. As such, you need intrusion alarms that will alert you and law enforcement if someone is trying to enter when they shouldn’t be.

6. Background Checks

Most cannabis dispensary thefts are carried out by employees. These tend to be smaller-scale than breaking-and-entering thefts, but can be even more damaging over the long-term.

This is especially important since marijuana is illegal in many states, so there is an extra incentive for employees to steal inventory in order to sell it on the illicit market.

While background checks are imperfect, it is nonetheless important to conduct them for all the employees you have working for you. It may even be required by your dispensary insurer.

7. Secure Transportation

Many cannabis dispensary thefts occur when transporting marijuana or cash. A robust cannabis security plan must take this into account and consider using armored cars, as well as the safest times and routes to transport your goods and assets.

Protect yourself with cannabis business insurance policies tailored to your specific needs.

Get in touch to discuss how we can help.