Security planning for total harvest coverage is the best way to meet the standards for cannabis facility designs, compliance and driving profits for marijuana businesses.
Leaders in the marijuana industry in the state of Arkansas are taking steps to properly plan and prepare their facilities based on Federal DEA guidelines for security products, solutions and systems. When planning for cannabis facility designs, it is imperative that all security products meet the regulatory guidelines to in secured areas of the facility.
30 MAN-MINUTES AGAINST SURREPTITIOUS ENTRY
10 MAN-MINUTES AGAINST FORCED ENTRY
20 MAN-HOURS AGAINST LOCK MANIPULATION
20 MAN-HOURS AGAINST RADIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES
WEIGHT LESS THAN 750 LBS BOLTED OR CEMENTED TO FLOOR OR WALL
EQUIPPED WITH ALARM DEPENDING UPON QUANTITIES & TYPE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES STORED
ArmorStor Vaults & Secured Rooms
ArmorStor vaults are designed to created secured rooms for any cannabis grower, processor or retail dispensary. Total harvest coverage would include security camera systems, SSPOS and security products to pass inspections and stay compliant.
Harvested marijuana and any cannabis product that has been processed must be stored in a secured area. Total harvest coverage with security cameras and video surveillance as required on all secure storage areas.
WALLS, FLOORS & CEILINGS OF 8 INCHES OF REINFORCED CONCRETE OR MASONRY REINFORCED VERTICALLY & HORIZONTALLY WITH ½ INCH STEEL RODS TIED 6 INCHES ON CENTER, OR STRUCTURAL EQUIVALENT .
Growers, marijuana processors and retail dispensaries in Arkansas should consider total harvest coverage of their facilities which is a leading platform for seed to sale compliance.
Doors and Door Frame
Security ratings must meet compliance for the following ratings based on the Federal DEA guildlines
30 MAN-MINUTES AGAINST SURREPTITIOUS ENTRY
Compliant doors and day gates for State of Arkansas security plan requirements from ArmorStor
10 MAN-MINUTES AGAINST FORCED ENTRY
20 MAN-HOURS AGAINST LOCK MANIPULATION
20 MAN-HOURS AGAINST RADIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES
EQUIPPED WITH SELF-CLOSING, SELF-LOCKING OR EQUIVALENT “DAY GATE” FOR USE DURING HOURS OF OPERATION
EQUIPPED WITH ALARM SYSTEM
EQUIPPED WITH CONTACT SWITCHES
Alarm Systems & Monitoring
The following components for cannabis facilities in Arkansas are to be completed by the alarm and monitoring company.
ELECTRICAL LACING OF WALLS, FLOOR OR CEILING
SENSITIVE ULTRASONIC EQUIPMENT WITHIN
SENSITIVE SOUND ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM TO DETECT ILLEGAL ENTRY
For any business working with an architect or construction management firm, the specification of doors, vaults and security cameras and systems during schematic plans and programming will help reduce costs and headaches. Let the team at KL Security consult with you.
Protocols for Security Planning & Architectural Programming
The state of Missouri is in the process of establishing a system to regulate the sale of marijuana for medicinal use. And, it would appear Missourians are eager to cash in.
The state is offering an initial 348 licenses for marijuana businesses. These licenses include: cultivation, dispensaries, manufacturing, testing labs, and transporters. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services received over 2,000 applications. [1]
The lucky winners will be announced December 31, 2019. It is estimated that cannabis facilities will open mid 2020 in Missouri.
All cultivation, dispensing, and manufacturing facilities are required to utilize security cameras as per 2019 MO Regulation Text 25597
Proper planning to ensure compliance with state regulations is vital to ensure protocols for diversion and reporting are met.
3 Key Components to Designing Intelligent Video Surveillance Systems
Assessment, Planning & Design – Work with experts to evaluate compliance with state laws and meeting business goals. This will help to identify gaps or challenges and put a plan in place for strategic initiatives that will improve cannabis business success.
Architectural Planning & Programming – Working closing with a surveillance system expert and your architect is vital to ensuring that both the compliance requirements are met as well as the schematic designs are planned, implemented and deployed correctly. Seasoned consultants and camera experts will be able to integrate intelligent video analytics (IVA) Intelligent IP video cameras and searchlight software into existing buildings and new construction environments.
Operate & Optimize – the Total Harvest Coverage methodology is implemented by leading cannabis businesses to ensure seed-to-sale compliance, reporting and to improve operations. Using a scalable platform, cannabis businesses can start with security cameras, data storage and smart-safe point of sale (SSPOS) systems to create a 360 degree view of the operation to meet compliance requirements.
According to the 2019 MO Regulation Text 25597 -, the following security equipment requirements must be met for safes, vaults and surveillance systems
(H) All cultivation, infused products manufacturing, and dispensary facilities shall ensure the security of medical marijuana and facility employees by taking at least the following measures:
Facilities shall install and maintain security equipment designed to prevent unauthorized entrance into limited access areas and to prevent diversion and inversion of medical marijuana including:
Devices or a series of devices to detect unauthorized intrusion, which may include a signal system interconnected with a radio frequency method, such as cellular or private radio signals, or other mechanical or electronic devices;
Except in the case of outdoor cultivation, exterior lighting to facilitate surveillance, which shall cover the exterior and perimeter of the facility;
Electronic video monitoring, including
(I) At least one (1) call-up monitor that is nineteen inches (19″) or more;
(II) A printer capable of immediately producing a clear still photo from any video camera image;
(III) Video cameras with a recording resolution of at least 1920 x 1080, or the equivalent, at a rate of at least fifteen (15) frames per second, that operate in such a way as to allow identification of people and activities in the monitored space, in all lighting levels, that are capable of being accessed remotely by the department or a law enforcement agency in real-time upon request, and that provide coverage of
(a) All entrances and exits of the facility, including windows, and all entrances and exits from limited access areas;
(b) The perimeter and exterior areas of the facility, including at least twenty feet (20′) of space around the perimeter of an outdoor grow area;
(c) Each point-of-sale location;
(d) All vaults or safes; and
(e) All medical marijuana, from at least two (2) angles, where it is cultivated, cured, trimmed, processed, rendered unusable, and disposed;
(IV) A method for storing recordings from the video cameras for at sixty (60) days in a secure on-site or off-site location or through a service or network that provides on-demand access to the recordings and that allows for providing copies of the recordings to the department upon request and at the expense of the facility;
(V) A failure notification system that provides an audible and visual notification of any failure in the electronic monitoring system; and
(VI) Sufficient battery backup for video cameras and recording equipment to support at least sixty (60) minutes of recording in the event of a power outage;
When you’re ready to begin the process of security planning for your cannabis business operation, the consultants at KL Security are available to assist with plans, security equipment, ArmorStor vaults, THC360 and more. Well versed in government regulations and recent legal mandates, we are prepared to help your business plan and pass requirements for Cannabis facility design and security programming.
*information not available as to how many transporter licenses will be awarded
Planning for Medical Marijuana & Potential Recreational Cannabis Requirements
Security is a facet of consideration of any new business, especially those within the cannabis industry. Marijuana is currently purchased almost exclusively with cash, and has a high resale market value through illegal means. For these reasons, significant safeguards must be established to protect product and profit.
Key Considerations for Missouri Cannabis Facilities & Retail Dispensaries
Develop Protocols to Deter Diversion & Crime
Maintain Compliance with reporting sales, diversion & evidence for law enforcement
CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design)
Exterior Security Protocols
Interior Security Protocols
Plans for Security Cameras, Intelligent Video Surveillance
Prevention of Theft of Product & Cash
And many more.
This would lead an entrepreneur to infer that state regulations regarding security provisions for marijuana facilities would be explicit and detailed, but the contrary is true for Missouri. The legislation is vague in regards to physical security, and there is no detailed protocol for construction or building security requirements. It could be inferred that this is due to the illegal status of the product at the federal level. If (when) cannabis is legalized at a national level, states would need to revise legislation, guidelines, forms, administrative materials, protocols for diversion, etc. to meet these federal demands upon implementation. If a state does not address these provisions specifically, the legislation will be easier to amend when the time comes.
Facilities shall install and maintain security equipment designed to prevent unauthorized entrance into limited access areas and to prevent diversion and inversion of medicalmarijuana: 2019 MO Regulation Text 25597
Within the facility application, a business must describe verbally what measures to be implemented. At the schematic planning and architectural programming phases, this plan is vital to long term business success. Attachments/visuals are not accepted. The assistance of a security expert is incredibly beneficial within the preparation of this portion of the application. The cannabis facility security plan developed within the application MUST be adhered to after the issuance of a license (unless otherwise authorized by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services). Veering from the original plan would cause numerous delays and potentially incur fines and or financial consequences.
Luckily, there are industry experts that have experience with securing product on par with federal regulations. If stringent guidelines are imposed at the point of planning, the likelihood of changes needed afterwards is much lower. By using federal guidelines in place for the storage and handling of highly regulated products, a business owner can rest assured that they will meet or exceed federal guidelines when they are established.
4 Factors to Success for Marijuana Business in Missouri
Consulting and Planning for Missouri Cannabis Facilities
At KL Security we utilize the Total Harvest Coverage™ methodology for security plans as well as cannabis business operation improvements. With successful projects in facilities in multiple states we help leaders in the cannabis industry drive revenue and stay compliant with state laws.
Developing Protocols for Business Operations
Integration of Video Surveillance, SSPOS and Cannabis Software
Cash Management Process
Monitoring and tracking of plants, products and closing the loop at point of sale
Schematic Design & Development from Architectural Planning through Construction
We work with leading architects, interior designers and construction management firms to ensure projects are completed from start to finish. With an established track record of completed facility designs, we set the standard for growing, cultivation and retail dispensary for medical and recreational marijuana plans, layouts and project management.
Information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice. Legislation referenced within this article: 19 CSR 30-95.040
To understand the full benefits of RFID and IVA (intelligent video analytics) one must consider the five (5) key drivers of cannabis facilities and retail dispensaries
Compliance
Improving Operations (labor, processes, etc.)
Reducing Out of Stock Product
Improving Conversation Rates
Increasing Sales
What the research shows
Inventory Accuracy without RFID is around 60%* – translating to missed sales opportunities and putting customer loyalty at risk.
RFID can increase inventory accuracy by up to 99.5%
One of the first steps that leading brands of marijuana growers, cultivation
Get unprecedented visibility of cannabis plants, and retail products while maintaining compliance with state laws for video surveillance.
facilities and retail dispensaries take is the pilot program. This will help you discover new insights into your business operations and unlock new opportunities for growth and sales. Starting with an existing grow house or retail location is a great way to determine the way forward. In the examples below we demonstrate the process that has been dubbed “Total Harvest Coverage™” by thought leaders in the cannabis sector.
Pilot Programs to Measure benefits & ROI of RFID & Intelligent Video Analytics
At the Cultivation Facility
Starting with business goals, we create a list of metrics that will result in accurate benefits to the growing operation. How long is the drying time at location A vs. location B? How long do plants sit before processing? Reduce inventory carrying costs by X.
Tracking automation and a visual record of each plant’s location results in a 360 degree compliant operation
How a plant may have been removed or misplaced and who was involved
Discover where more staff training is required or where processes could be improved or sped up (saving labor)
Seamlessly share video and RFID data evidence with law enforcement as needed or required – quickly and efficiently.
At the Retail Dispensary
Managing multiple product types (flower, edibles, oils, concentrates, shatter and consumables) is a challenge for specialty retail stores. How does RFID track inventory to meet the demand in-store pickup & online orders? How do we create a seamless shopping experience that increases customer loyalty? What can we learn from RFID / IVA / SSPOS that could integrate into Weedmaps or Leafly promotions?
Keeping business goals and compliance with state laws for security cameras and video retention (40 days, 55 days, etc.) in mind, a 360 degree view of the cannabis business will fully emerge – and items moving from vault rooms to retail display cases, back to storage rooms and ultimately at the point of sale (SSPOS) can help you unlock new insights for sales, marketing as well as loss prevention and inventory management – all in one platform.
Identify Hiccups or Pain Points by:
Retail Dispensary Location
Department
Item / Products
Which products is the store consistently low on inventory?
Do you have merchandising standards / branding guidelines to adhere to?
Optimize the “Order Online & In-Store Pickup” Process
What’s the dwell time from the secure vault. storage cage or ArmorStor room to the retail display case?
Accurate stock availability – if the website says the product is in stock and customers find it’s not available… your store could suffer a negative online review. In today’s day and age, reputation and customer loyalty is everything. With RFID / IVA/ SSPOS you get real-time cannabis product level visibility.
Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA) and SSPOS help with:
Video integrated with POS data can help dispensary operators cut losses by setting up alerts triggered by suspect transactions, such as voids, refunds or returns
Run searches across multiple dispensary locations simultaneously
Using video and analytics like people counting, queue length or dwell time, dispensaries can see how long customers waited in line, of they spent more time in front of a certain promotional display, or if they left the dispensary without making a purchase – and use this data to drive promotions via POS integrations with Weedmaps, Leafly, baker, and more.
The Key Stakeholders | Get them on board
The concept of Total Harvest Coverage™ spans the grow operation (supply chain) processing, IT, Security teams, C-Suite executives as well as loss prevention and the protocols for compliance with state laws & law enforcement.
4 Vital Messages for Stakeholders
Clear Value of inventory accuracy
Inventory tracking is vital to state law compliance
Diversion of cannabis product must be reported promptly
Quickly getting inventory to customers is key to growth & success
The RFID and IVA components of the business operation are building blocks to a complete platform that is transforming leading cannabis brands today. The complete integration of RFID, Intelligent IP Video Surveillance, Smart Safe Point of Sale (SSPOS) and 3D Sensors is the next wave of smart retail in the specialty cannabis sector. Costs of deployments from the onset of security planning, architectural programming vs. retrofit later should be taken into consideration.
For existing operations, a modular and scalable approach can help you improve business operations incrementally without major capital investments. For new business operations, seasoned and experienced security integrators will understand the end to end benefits of more than compliance, but of loss prevention and helping you drive profits to further distinguish your brand.
Information gather from the following sources, deemed reliable but not guaranteed:
*Auburn University RFID Lab, Key Considerations for RFID Pilots and Deployments
Compare and review the Best features, Pros and Cons of the top rated cash safes for retail cash counting and cash management of deposits.
Retailers that are preventing loss and driving up profit margins choose to buy a smart safe that will simplify and optimize the details of cash transactions. The true cost of managing cash payments can be steep and is often unknown – but when broken down into segments, the cost of accepting cash typically proves to be worth an investment into SmartSafes.
When a business begins to analyze the time and labor that a store manager uses to count and reconcile cash drawers, as well as the time it takes away from actually being a “Manager” to monitor and reconcile cash accounting errors, the costs can be enormous – especially if a retail business has more than one location. Add to this the time it takes to make daily deposits and your manager ends up running errands more than managing the store & employees.
Compare Cash safes and get prices on a top rated brand names
It’s been said that a $10 reconciliation error can cost as much as $100 in wages to find, reconcile and update – over time, retail cash management pays for itself and improves business operations, cash flow and ultimately profit margins.
Below is a comprehensive list of the best brand names and features.
AMSEC CashWizard Smart Safes are top rated cash management Solutions for retail business. The CashWizard Smart Safe empowers your business and employees to streamline cash management.
Centralized management connecting safes via cloud-based platform accessible from any Internet capable device provides easy to use customer managed, remote administration of users and reports. Users can also set defined email alerts for exception-based management. Fully Push-based API for cash transactions integrating with POS systems and reconciliation software
Armor Safe Technologies specializes in the development, deployment, and servicing of the industry’s most innovative cash-management systems. Armor Safes validate, count and secure cash in cassettes ready for delivery to your bank, establishing an effective closed-loop solution.
Effective closed-loop solution for many of your toughest challenges such as loss prevention, employee accountability and financial transparency.
Bill Validating Safes from the FireKing Security Group is a top rated choice for cash accepting environments like specialty retail, convenience stores, and quick-serve restaurants are bill-validating safes.
Gunnebo Cash Management safes and Software improve efficiency and cash flow. Smart cash management solutions improve cash process efficiency and reduce the cost of cash. Gunnebo also offers UL 291 Rated Safes for the highest cash vault security.
Calculate Which Gunnebo Smart Cash Safe is Best for your business and Get Pricing in 3 steps
Tidel smart safes provide advanced technological features that enable the automation of cash management functions within a busy retail environment. From automated bill counting and deposit functions along with reporting capability, Tidel smart cash safes enable retailers to gain tremendous efficiencies and optimization of cash management processes and in-store labor. Tidel smart safes connect to the widest range of cash management peripherals in the industry, allowing them to be deployed across a wide spectrum of industries.
Versasafe By Triton (makers of ATMs) offer a color display, a simple interface and speech feedback. VersaSafe makes it easy for you to customize its functions to fit your business and can track and timestamps every transaction, increasing both effectiveness and efficiency. A high-capacity electronic journal even stores thousands of individual transactions and user histories for easy reference.
Triton is a smart safe manufacturer offering cash management safes that are tested to the UL 291 Level 1 attack test. This requirement covers the construction and security of the VersaSafe and provides for a degree of protection against unauthorized removal of currency within the VersaSafe. Triton’s UL 291 Level 1 certified vault is constructed of ½ inch thick steel on all six sides and features a patented anti-theft door design, making it one of the highest security cash safes on the market.
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Smart Safes protect your cash and coins from retail POS transactions and can enable the retail store to deposit credit at their bank from the point of sale. Large retailers can monitor and manage all cash deposits at all store locations from a single dashboard with customized Cash Management Software. Smart Safes improve cash management processes, reduce shrinkage, and can secure checks in a safe that is networked and accessible from central IS and IT work environments. IT teams can set permissions and allow corporate management to see daily, hourly and or weekly transactions.
Once a Smart Cash safe is installed at a retail store (either bolted to the floor or mounted under counter), users (employees and retail store managers) feed currency into the bill acceptor at the point of sale and the notes are verified (counterfeit bills are rejected) by denomination, counted and immediately deposited in the high security safe (AKA cash cassette). All transaction data from each day of deposits is electronically saved and can be transmitted across the secured network for enterprise-wide financial reporting and improved transparency to the CFO or finance department.
Once deposited, the cash cassettes can be accessed by either key locks, bio-metric locks or digital combination keypad locks. Additional processes for two-person authentication or dual authentication are available such as a key locks with Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), enabling a dual control security protocols to be used in tangent with an armored car service such as Brinks, Dunbar, Loomis, Garda or Rochester or Axiom.
All brand names are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.
