Tag: planning

Cannabis Policies for the New Decade

The Committee on Energy & Commerce will hold a legislative hearing tomorrow to discuss and review six pieces of legislation:

H.R. 171, the “Legitimate Use of Medicinal Marijuana Act” – Proposes Marijuana moves from a Schedule I drug to Schedule II and the federal government may not intervene in a state’s medical marijuana laws.

 

H.R. 601, the “Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2019” – Proposes the Attorney General increase the amount of federally approved registered cannabis manufacturers for research purposes. (the DEA has already begun accepting applications).

 

H.R. 1151, the “Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act” – Proposes veterans receive special protections to use, possess, or transport medical marijuana legally; also allows physicians to discuss and recommend marijuana therapies to veterans.

 

H.R. 2843, the “Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act” – Proposes the removal of THC/marijuana from Schedule I drugs. Demands comprehensive research on marijuana, and regulation from Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau on the sale and advertising of marijuana.

 

H.R. 3797, the “Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2019” – Proposes Health and Human Services ensures a supply of marijuana for research purposes. Furthermore, all currently approved researchers for Schedule II – V drugs would be given authorization to conduct marijuana research.

 

H.R. 3884, the “Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019” or the “MORE Act of 2019” – Demands marijuana/THC be removed entirely from the list of Scheduled drugs. This bill calls for expungements, and the establishment of various regulatory departments and social equity programs.

 

The MORE Act is sounds like an extravagant bit of legislation. Is America ready for full legalization and decriminalization of marijuana? This would cause mass confusion in states where marijuana is already legal. These states would have to review (and possibly revise) current legislation pertaining to marijuana and quickly. States will need time to re-organize regulatory departments, and possibly implement new guidelines. Perhaps legislators are reaching for the stars and hoping to land on the moon.

Interestingly enough, there is no mention of discussing any legislation in regards to the regulation of banking institutions in their dealing with cannabis companies. This is a multi-billion-dollar industry being conducted in cash because banks are too scared to touch it. It will be interesting to see if this topic is at least addressed tomorrow. (Most recently the SAFE Banking Act was passed by the House of Representatives in September 2019 but has yet to reach the Senate.)

 

You can watch a live stream of the hearing tomorrow (Wednesday, January 15th, 2020) at 10:00am EST here: https://energycommerce.house.gov/committee-activity/hearings/hearing-on-cannabis-policies-for-the-new-decade

 

**UPDATES TO FOLLOW**

At KL Security, we have a proven track record for compliance with state laws and security requirements. Utilizing the Total Harvest Coverage methodology for cannabis facility security design and planning as well as cannabis business operation improvements, we have successful projects in facilities in multiple states, helping leaders in the cannabis industry drive revenue and stay compliant with state laws.

 

 

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

Shortage of Marijuana Testing Facilities in Maine

In November of 2016, citizens of Maine voted to approve legislation to legalize the adult use of marijuana. It’s been three years, and constituents still do not have a way to purchase the drug legally.

 

It would appear that lawmakers have had some difficulty agreeing on the rules and regulations to be established. This is understandable; marijuana regulation and taxation is brand new territory.  With that being said, politicians and policy makers should tap into available resources. Experts should be consulted to help mold these laws and establish safe reasonable guidelines.

 

The latest hiccup is the lack of testing facilities in the pipeline. All marijuana must be tested after cultivation and before sale to the consumer; this ensures consistency and public safety. So far, only one marijuana testing facility has been approved within the entire state. This presents a huge problem economically. There are substantial and realistic concerns that the singular facility will be unable to handle the volume. If the product were a different substance, cultivation facilities could ship their goods over state lines for testing. Unfortunately, this is not a possibility since marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. The product must remain within state lines at all times.

 

There are exponential parts to any economic chain, and the more regulation on an industry, the more possibilities for problems arise. In this instance, the product supply chain was not considered within the timeline of licensing. This will undoubtedly affect the product quantities available for sale, and cause marijuana prices to be very high until they establish additional testing facilities.

 

As a Cannabis entrepreneur, it is of the utmost importance to seek out the most qualified professionals to navigate the rules and regulations of this burgeoning industry. If you’re considering opening a marijuana facility (testing facility or otherwise) don’t make a similar mistake. Consult an expert.

 

At KL Security, we have a proven track record for compliance with state laws and security requirements. Utilizing the Total Harvest Coverage methodology for security plans as well as cannabis business operation improvements, we have successful projects in facilities in multiple states, helping leaders in the cannabis industry drive revenue and stay compliant with state laws.

 

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

 

Associated Press. December 24, 2019. Maine Doesn’t Have Enough Recreational Cannabis Testing Facilities. High Times Magazine. Retrieved from: https://hightimes.com/news/maine-doesnt-have-enough-recreational-cannabis-testing-facilities/

 

https://www.maine.gov/dafs/omp/adult-use

Security Planning for Arkansas Cannabis Facilities

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.

Safes and Steel Cabinets – must meet the Federal DEA approved safes standards for storage of marijuana in the state of Arkansas: 

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 .

ArmorStor Modular Vaults meet this requirement.

 

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.