Marijuana Facility Security: How Much is Good Enough?

By Shelley Swearingen | July 14, 2020

Why is security so important?

Security protocols dictate how an organization plans to protect their employees. Security protocols set forth how a business will protect their bottom line. Cannabis security planning protocols establish how a facility will safeguard & protect inventory and cash. All of these plans and protocols affect the bottom line, and therefore should be on the forefront of every stakeholder’s mind.

A good security plan should:
Why do security guidelines vary from state to state?

            Cannabis is illegal at the federal level. In recent history, the federal government has stayed out of the way of states and allowed states to govern these sectors independently. This means that when marijuana is legalized within a state, the state government must create an entire market and all the rules and regulations that go along with it. Some states will look to other places that have implemented successful programs, and some just wing it.

            Some states have very little regulatory requirements when it comes to the operation of businesses, and certain areas of concern that are normally heavily regulated in other industries (like security) are barely glossed over in the legislation. This is due to the illegal status of the substance at the federal level. Many states anticipate marijuana becoming legal nationwide at some point. When this happens, no action would be needed as federal law supersedes state law.

Why is compliance so important?

            Staying compliant means staying operational. Facilities operating within a legal marijuana market are subject to random inspections. If a facility didn’t pass an inspection, it could be slapped with a hefty fine and/or forced to close until the infraction is brought up to standard. This means lost sales on top of expensive fines & the facility could take a hit to their reputation. Remember: a facility will never be fined for being too safe. It may seem daunting to spend (invest) a large sum into securing a facility, but down the road – it makes fiscal sense.

What implementations should a facility employ?

            From license application and project inception to completion, KL Security uses a holistic approach to help plan, create, design, and build compliant security solutions & systems to meet a business’s goals, brand, and mission. With successful projects in place in dispensaries, pharmacies, cultivation facilities, craft growing facilities, secure transporters, and testing facilities, the experts at KL Security have the experience to help facilities pass inspections, stay compliant, and drive revenue. Contact a consultant to see how KL Security can help simplify the process and provide successful results.

Call 866-867-0306 or email [email protected]

Information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.

Illinois Craft Grower License Application Emergency Rule Update

NOTICE OF EMERGENCY RULES ANNOUNCED TODAY

Today, the state of Illinois released updated rules and requirements for applications of the Craft Grower license and Infuser License.

The full set of rule updates can be found here:

 

Highlights include:

“The Department and law enforcement agencies shall have the ability to access a cultivation center’s security alarm system in real-time”

 

Security Plan and Record keeping (145 points):
A) Measure 1 (40 points): The applicant’s security plan demonstrates
its ability to prevent the theft or diversion of cannabis and how the
plan will assist ISP, the Department, and local law enforcement.

Specifically, it shall evidence compliance with all items in Sections
1300.180 and 1300.185 of this Part.

B) Measure 2 (40 points): The applicant demonstrates that its plan for
record keeping, tracking and monitoring inventory, quality control
and security, and other policies and procedures will discourage
unlawful activity. It also describes the applicant’s plan to
coordinate with, and dispose of unused or surplus cannabis through
ISP, and the Department.

C) Measure 3 (40 points): The applicant’s security plan shall describe
the enclosed, locked facility that will be used to secure or store
cannabis, its security measures, including when the location is
closed for business, and the steps taken to ensure that cannabis is
not visible to the public.

D) Measure 4 (25 points): The applicant’s plan to apply for a
transporter license or plan to work with a licensed transporter and
the applicant’s procedures for safely and securely delivering
cannabis and cannabis-infused products to cannabis business
establishments

 

 

“Enclosed, Locked Facility” means a room, greenhouse, building, or other
enclosed area equipped with locks or other security devices that permit access only by cannabis business establishment agents working for the licensed cannabis business establishment or acting pursuant to the Act to cultivate, process, store, or distribute cannabis. [410 ILCS 705/1-10]”

 

Per Section 1300.30

Authorized On-Premises Storage. A cultivation center is authorized to store
cannabis and cannabis-infused products inventory on the licensed premises. All inventory stored on the licensed premises must be secured in a limited access area and tracked using the inventory and security requirements of this Part.