Tag: secure transport

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.

Maneuvering Marijuana in Michigan: Secure Transporters

Secure transporters move marijuana product and cash obtained from medical cannabis and/or recreational marijuana transactions across the state for a fee.  Think about it as a business owner: you are operating a new business, and your product was very recently illegal. The black market will continue to operate for some time until the State of Michigan has a system in place to protect these assets. As such, there is a mandated 3rd party transport law for all medical cannabis and recreational marijuana moving from Growers, Processors, Licensed Micro business, storage and retail dispensaries.

“In Colorado, which legalized recreational use in 2014, the illegal black market is now a larger problem than before legalization…” Walsh, Dustin. (4/8/2019) Legal pot vs. black market a balance. Crain’s Detroit Business, Vol. 35 Issue 14, p1-1, 1p.  

Bearing this in mind, the conveyance of product from grower to seller must be protected. 

The state of Michigan will begin accepting applications for select secure transport licenses beginning December 6, 2019. If an individual or entity is thinking of applying for any licensure, it would be in his/her best interest to start assembling documents now. To be eligible as a secure transporter, the license applicant will need to meet several qualifications taken from: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. SS 333.27505 (LexisNexis 2018) and Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. SS 27959 (LexisNexis 2018):

  • No ownership/interest in another marijuana business
  • May not be a registered patient or caregiver of medicinal marijuana
  • Resident of Michigan
  • May not hold title to marijuana 

 

 

 

Growers, Processor and Provisioning Centers and Secure Transportation of Marijuana and Cannabis The role of secure transporter within the Michigan Medical cannabis and recreational marijuana chain is integral. A grower may not move their product legally (to other growers and/or dispensaries) without using the services of a secure transporter. MCL 333.27503 (4) (LexisNexis, Lexis Advance through Public Act 47 from the 2019 Legislative Session): 

 

 

Secure Transporter Requirements: 

  • Drivers must have chauffeur’s license issued by Michigan
  • Employees handling marijuana or cash from transactions may not have a felony conviction within the past five years, been released from incarceration in the past five years, or a hold a  misdemeanor conviction involving substance abuse in the past five years. 
  • Each transporting vehicle must be operated by a minimum 2-person crew. The vehicle is never to be left unattended while marijuana product is in custody.
  • Route plans and manifests must be kept within the vehicle, and available to present to law enforcement at all times. This data must also be logged into the statewide monitoring system. 
  • Marijuana must be contained within sealed containers, and not accessible while the vehicle is in motion. 
  • A vehicle operating as a secure transporter may not display any visual markings or indicate in any way that it is transporting marijuana. 

    Implementing Total Harvest Coverage to maintain compliance with state laws and regulatory requirements is key to the best security planning and protocols that deter diversion and theft.

In Michigan, security requirements vary by municipality and County.  It is imperative one checks the local code for a potential business to correctly implement the adequate standard. It is of the utmost importance that businesses/operators are complying with regulations as these establishments are available for inspection at any time.

Learn more about Marihuana facility design standards, security compliance and planning

DEA Rules, security requirements and regulations per the Code of Federal Regulations 21CFR1301.72 https://www.klsecurity.com/products/medical-marijuana-dea-storage.html

For the latest updates, the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) is in the process of implementing the security and regulatory framework for the entire state, Michigan County and Townships. Information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.

All license information and security measures taken directly from legislation: Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act. “REGULATION AND TAXATION OF MARIHUANA ACT”. , 2017 Bill Text MI S.B. 1243 SEC. 501

 

LINKS TO FORMS & LEGISLATION:

MICHIGAN MARIJUANA REGULATORY AGENCY

https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_79571_90056—,00.html

MICHIGAN REGULATION AND TAXATION OF MARIHUANA ACT

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(wwmtk0j1m4jeg10at2zbsucs))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Initiated-Law-1-of-2018