With the legalization of cannabis in many regions, the cannabis industry continues to expand and gain acceptance worldwide. But with any growing industry, robust security measures are becoming increasingly crucial.
Whether it’s a dispensary, cultivation center, or manufacturing plant, these facilities house valuable products and are subject to potential risks and threats.
Creating a safe environment within cannabis facilities is not only essential for protecting assets but also for maintaining compliance with stringent regulations. That’s why business owners must take necessary security actions to ensure the safety of staff, customers, and valuable products.
Here are some of the best practices and strategies for cannabis facility security to ensure the overall safety of your operations.
Assessing risks and threats
Before implementing security measures, it’s crucial to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment. Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment involves identifying potential vulnerabilities and threats specific to your cannabis facility.
Identify potential vulnerabilities and threats specific to your facility, considering factors like location, size, local regulations, and historical crime rates. For that, you have to evaluate the risks associated with theft, break-ins, employee misconduct, diversion, and unauthorized access.
A risk assessment helps determine the level of security measures required and highlights areas that need attention. Based on the risk level, you can choose cannabis shop security plans to protect your employees and products from harmful litigation.
Alarm systems
An effective alarm system acts as a deterrent and helps detect any unauthorized access or suspicious activities. You can easily install an intruder alarm system that includes sensors, motion detectors, glass break detectors, and panic buttons.
When triggered, the alarm should send an immediate signal to a central monitoring station. This station can then alert security personnel or local law enforcement for a swift response.
Ensure that the alarm system is regularly tested and well-maintained to avoid false alarms and provide reliability.
Access control
Establishing strong access control measures is another important step to prevent unauthorized entry into your cannabis facility.
Start by securing the perimeter with appropriate fencing, gates, and barriers. Furthermore, you can limit access points to the facility and monitor them closely to detect any irregularities.
Like other workplaces, you can implement new technologies such as key cards, biometric readers, or PIN codes to ensure that only authorized individuals can enter.
Also, consider implementing a visitor management system that requires visitors to provide identification and sign in before entering the premises.
For areas with highly sensitive operations or valuable inventory, you can enforce biometric access control to prevent any sort of unwanted access.
Video surveillance
In today’s world, video surveillance is a critical component of cannabis facility security. You can take advantage of this technology by installing high-quality cameras strategically throughout the facility.
You must ensure that the cameras cover all key areas, including entry and exit points, production areas, storage rooms, and parking lots.
We suggest opting for cameras with features like wide-angle lenses, high resolution, and low-light capability. The proper lighting should be in place to capture clear images. Also, consider using infrared cameras for nighttime surveillance.
To solidify your video surveillance, you can set up a central monitoring system that allows real-time monitoring and recording of footage. It’s because recording the central monitoring system footage can aid investigations if incidents occur.
Security personnel
Having trained security personnel on-site provides an extra layer of protection and helps maintain a safe environment within the cannabis facility. Security officers can monitor surveillance feeds, conduct regular patrols, and respond quickly to any security incidents or emergencies.
If you consider a higher threat level, it’s best to hire guards with experience in the cannabis industry or specialized training in facility security.
Moreover, you can implement a strong employee screening process, including background checks, to minimize the risk of internal threats.
Lighting
Proper lighting is essential for maintaining a secure environment inside and outside the cannabis facility. Well-lit areas act as a deterrent to criminals and enhance the effectiveness of video surveillance. So, set up bright lighting around the perimeter, entryways, parking lots, and other outdoor areas.
There are several types of motion-activated lighting available that can conserve energy while providing added security.
Inside the facility, make sure that there is proper lighting in all areas, including production rooms and storage areas, to reduce blind spots and enhance visibility.
Inventory control and storage
Among the best practices for cannabis facility security is the storage of cannabis correctly and maintaining proper inventory control. In fact, secure storage and proper inventory control are essential to prevent the theft or diversion of cannabis products.
For proper inventory control, you must establish strict protocols for receiving, storing, and distributing cannabis inventory.
You can further utilise secure safes or vaults with restricted access to store valuable products. We also suggest implementing a system for tracking all inventory movements and conducting inventory audits to identify any discrepancies promptly. By maintaining tight control over inventory, you can minimize the risk of product loss or diversion.
Fire safety
Fire safety is a critical concern in cannabis facilities due to the presence of flammable materials. That’s why it’s crucial to execute necessary fire prevention measures to mitigate the risk of health hazards.
So, set up fire detection systems, such as smoke detectors and fire alarms, throughout the facility. Plus, automatic sprinkler systems should be in place to suppress fires if they occur quickly.
You have to inspect and maintain all fire safety equipment and systems regularly. Proper ventilation is a vital element to prevent the buildup of potentially combustible gases.
So, provide fire safety training to all staff members, including proper handling of flammable materials and emergency evacuation procedures.
Collaboration with law enforcement
Establishing a positive and collaborative relationship with local law enforcement agencies can enhance cannabis facility security.
You can engage in open communication and share security plans, incident response protocols, and emergency contact information with law enforcement authorities.
You can further collaborate on crime prevention initiatives, such as participating in neighborhood watch programs or hosting security training sessions for the local community. With the help of local authorities, you can create a safer environment for your facility and the surrounding area.
Cybersecurity
In the digital age, cannabis facilities must address cybersecurity threats to protect sensitive data, customer information, and internal systems.
Like other businesses, you must also install robust cybersecurity criteria to safeguard your network and systems. This includes firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems to secure your network infrastructure.
Regularly update software and firmware to patch vulnerabilities and prevent unwanted access to your data. You also have to train employees on cybersecurity best practices, such as avoiding phishing attacks and being cautious with sensitive information.
Perimeter intrusion detection systems
PIDS can help prevent unauthorised access and deter potential intruders from entering the facility. Perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS) are a modern approach to secure the outer boundaries of your cannabis facility.
PIDS is a combination of technologies such as laser sensors, microwave detectors, or buried cable sensors. These systems can detect any attempts to breach the perimeter and trigger alarms or alerts, allowing security personnel to respond quickly. If your facility is located in a high-risk zone, consider using these systems to boost your safety level.
Panic buttons and duress alarms are essential for providing a discreet means for staff members to summon help in emergency situations. These are usually placed in strategic locations throughout the facility, such as cash-handling areas or high-value product storage rooms.
When activated, these buttons instantly send a distress signal to security personnel or law enforcement, indicating the exact location where assistance is needed.
Employees can wear duress alarms and activate them discreetly when their personal safety is at risk. This way, authorities can make a swift response to potential threats without alerting the enemies.
GPS tracking for transport vehicles
If your cannabis facility involves the transportation of products, GPS tracking systems for transport vehicles can provide real-time monitoring and enhanced security.
These systems allow you to track the exact location of your vehicles at all times. In the event of theft or diversion, GPS tracking enables quick response and recovery by providing the location information to law enforcement.
Besides, visible GPS tracking stickers on the vehicles act as a deterrent, discouraging potential criminals from targeting the transport vehicles.
Takeaway
With these strategic practices for cannabis facility security, you’ll be able to protect your business from various wanted occurrences.
You must also acknowledge that you can’t be 100 percent risk-free as the future is unknown. But with proper planning and appropriate strategies, you can mitigate the safety risks and enhance the overall security of your cannabis facility.
Adam Mulligan, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
