Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Key takeaways…
Security for cannabis businesses is critical:
As the U.S. cannabis market is expected to reach $42.98 billion in 2024, robust security solutions are essential to protect against increased risks like theft, compliance challenges, and internal loss.
Biggest threats to cannabis shops:
Dispensaries face significant internal and external threats, including employee theft, product diversion, unauthorized access, and break-ins. Organized crime and employee negligence also pose serious risks.
Comprehensive security solutions:
Effective security involves a mix of technologies such as strategically placed cameras, live and remote monitoring, video security management systems (VMS), alarms, and access control. These systems work together to safeguard your dispensary.
Centralized and future-proofed security:
Centralizing security operations through integrated systems like Solink’s VMS saves time, reduces costs, and improves efficiency. It allows for quick responses to incidents, streamlined audits, and easier scalability as your business grows.
The importance of security in the cannabis industry
The cannabis industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased legalization, rising consumer demand, and expanding product offerings. In 2024, the U.S. cannabis market alone is projected to reach around $42.98 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 12% from 2024 to 2030.
As the cannabis industry grows, so does the importance of robust cannabis security solutions and measures. This growth not only introduces higher revenue and increased market opportunities but also heightens the risks associated with the industry, such as theft, compliance challenges, and internal loss. In this article we will touch on the biggest security threats to cannabis shops, the different types of cannabis security solutions and how to better organize and future-proof your security.
Biggest security threats to a cannabis shop
Security is vital in the cannabis industry due to the high value of the products and the cash-heavy nature of the business. Here are some of the biggest internal and external threats specific to the cannabis industry that need attention:
Employee theft
Employees have direct access to both cannabis products and high value transactions, making internal theft a major concern. This can include skimming inventory, cash theft, or unauthorized discounts. Regular audits, along with a cloud-based video management system, can help monitor transactions and employee activity to prevent this.
Product diversion
Product diversion happens when employees take cannabis for personal use or illegal resale. This not only leads to inventory loss but can also create legal issues. Tight inventory controls and integrating video monitoring with your point-of-sale system can help reduce the risk.
Unauthorized access
Employees with access to restricted areas, such as storage rooms or safes, pose a risk if they misuse their access. Implementing strict access controls based on job roles and monitoring these areas with cameras can help prevent unauthorized entry.
Break-ins and burglaries
Criminals often target cannabis shops after hours, looking to steal products and cash. Strengthening entry points with reinforced doors and locks, combined with 24/7 video monitoring, can help protect against these threats.
Organized crime
The cannabis industry can attract organized crime groups looking to exploit weaknesses in security for large-scale theft. Building strong security protocols, including regular checks and audits, can help keep these groups at bay.
Employee negligence
In a regulated industry like cannabis, mistakes by employees—such as improperly labeling products, failing to check ID, or not following safety protocols—can lead to security risks. These errors can expose the business to fines or legal action. Ongoing training and using video to review employee adherence to protocols can help mitigate these risks.
Types of cannabis security solutions and ways in which they can be implemented
Security cameras and camera placements
Security cameras are essential for monitoring both the interior and exterior of a cannabis shop. Proper camera placement ensures that every critical area is covered, reducing blind spots and providing clear evidence in case of incidents. Cameras should be placed:
- Entrances and exits: Capturing everyone who enters or leaves the shop is crucial. Cameras should be positioned to capture clear, identifiable images of faces.
- Sales floor: Cameras on the sales floor can monitor customer interactions and detect any suspicious behavior, such as product tampering or theft.
- Cash registers and safes: High-resolution cameras should monitor all cash handling areas to deter employee theft and provide a record of transactions.
- Storage areas: These areas hold the bulk of the inventory, making them prime targets for theft. Cameras should cover every angle, with a focus on access points.
- Exterior perimeters: Cameras outside the shop help monitor for loitering, break-ins, and vandalism. They should cover parking lots, alleyways, and any entrances.
Live and remote security monitoring
Live and remote security monitoring enhances your shop’s security by providing real-time oversight. Remote monitoring allows off-site teams or third-party security services to watch your premises 24/7, even when the shop is closed.
Solink’s system offers remote access to your video feeds, allowing you to check on your shop from anywhere via a smartphone or computer. This feature is particularly useful for multi-location businesses, as it centralizes the monitoring of all sites.
Video security management systems
A video management system (VMS) is the backbone of your security camera setup. It stores, organizes, and allows you to review footage efficiently. For cannabis shops, a VMS helps ensure compliance with local regulations, which often require detailed record-keeping of all video footage.
Solink’s cloud-based VMS integrates seamlessly with your existing cameras, providing advanced features like motion detection, video search by keyword, and automatic tagging of important events. This makes it easier to find and review specific footage, such as a customer dispute or an inventory check, saving time and improving response times.
Alarms and sensors
Alarms and sensors are key components of a cannabis shop’s security system, providing immediate alerts in the event of unauthorized entry, smoke, or even excessive movement in restricted areas.
Video alarm monitoring is an advanced security solution that combines the features of traditional alarm systems with real-time video monitoring to provide enhanced protection for businesses, including cannabis shops. Unlike standard alarm systems that only alert you when a sensor is triggered, video alarm monitoring offers the ability to immediately view live or recorded footage of the event that caused the alarm. This combination of video and alarm technologies creates a more comprehensive and responsive security system.
Access control
Access control systems help regulate who can enter certain areas of your shop. For cannabis businesses, this is especially important for restricting access to storage rooms, offices, and cash handling areas.
Keycard systems: Employees use a keycard to gain access to restricted areas, which logs their entry and exit times.
Biometric systems: These use fingerprints or facial recognition, offering a higher level of security by ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive areas.
PIN codes: Simple but effective, PIN codes can be used for access to less sensitive areas like break rooms or staff-only restrooms.
Security guards
Security guards play a visible and proactive role in protecting your cannabis shop. They can monitor live feeds, patrol the premises, and respond immediately to any suspicious activity. The presence of guards also serves as a deterrent to potential criminals.
- On-site guards: These guards are stationed at the shop, ready to intervene in real time. They should be trained to handle everything from customer disputes to potential robberies.
- Remote monitoring and dispatch teams: In cases where on-site guards aren’t feasible, remote teams can monitor security feeds and dispatch law enforcement if necessary.
Lighting
Proper lighting is a simple yet effective security measure for cannabis shops. It deters criminals by making it harder for them to hide their activities and ensures that your security cameras capture clear footage.
- Exterior lighting: Bright lights should illuminate all entrances, exits, and parking areas, making it difficult for anyone to approach unnoticed.
- Interior lighting: Even after hours, low-level lighting inside the shop can help your cameras capture better footage and deter break-ins.
- Motion-activated lights: These lights turn on when movement is detected, surprising intruders and drawing attention to their activities.
Reinforced glass
Reinforced glass is crucial for preventing break-ins and protecting both the shop and its employees. This type of glass is harder to break than standard glass, making it more difficult for burglars to gain entry.
- Laminated glass: This glass has multiple layers, making it more resistant to shattering.
- Tempered glass: Tempered glass is heat-treated for extra strength, making it tougher and less likely to break upon impact.
- Security film: Adding security film to existing windows can increase their resistance to breakage without the need for full replacement.
Reinforced glass can delay or prevent entry long enough for alarms to sound and authorities to respond.
Security training and audits
Regular security training and audits are essential to maintaining a secure cannabis shop. Employees should be trained on how to handle cash, deal with suspicious activity, and respond to emergencies.
- Initial training: New hires should undergo comprehensive security training that covers everything from proper cash handling to recognizing suspicious behavior.
- Ongoing training: Regular refresher courses ensure that all staff remain vigilant and aware of the latest security protocols.
- Security audits: Periodic audits of your security systems, procedures, and staff compliance can identify weaknesses before they are exploited. Audits should cover everything from camera placements to access control systems.
Solink’s VMS can assist in training by providing footage of past incidents for review and discussion, helping staff learn from real-world examples.
Integrated point-of-sale (POS) system
An integrated POS system is essential for tracking sales and monitoring transactions in a cannabis shop. When linked with a video security system, it provides a powerful tool for preventing and investigating theft or fraud.
- Transaction monitoring: By syncing your POS with Solink’s VMS, you can easily match video footage with specific transactions, making it easier to investigate discrepancies or suspicious activity.
- Inventory management: Integration helps track inventory in real-time, reducing the risk of theft and ensuring that your product counts match your sales records.
- Alerting: The system can alert management to unusual activity, such as multiple voided transactions or large discounts, allowing for quick intervention.
By integrating your POS with a video management system like Solink’s, you create a comprehensive security solution that covers both physical and transactional security, helping protect your business from all angles.
Organizing and future-proofing your cannabis security
Ensuring that your cannabis shop is protected today while being prepared for future challenges requires a strategic approach. Key technologies like video alarm monitoring, integrated security systems, and cloud-based video management are at the heart of this effort. Here’s how organizing and future-proofing your security can save time, reduce costs, and set your business up for long-term success.
Centralization and organization of security systems
One of the most significant advantages of modern security technologies is the ability to centralize all your security operations. By integrating your cameras, alarms, access control systems, and point-of-sale (POS) systems into a single, unified platform, you can streamline your security processes. This centralization allows you to monitor everything from one interface, reducing the complexity and time needed to manage separate systems.
For example, Solink’s video management system (VMS) acts as the hub for your security operations, bringing together video feeds, alarm notifications, and access logs into one accessible platform. This organization makes it easier to review incidents, conduct audits, and ensure that all aspects of your security are functioning together seamlessly.
Time savings and efficiency
With a centralized and organized security system, time-consuming tasks like manually reviewing footage, cross-referencing transaction logs, or managing multiple systems can be drastically reduced. Automation plays a big role here—features like event tagging and real-time alerts mean that you can quickly find the exact footage you need without sifting through hours of video. This efficiency not only saves time but also allows you to respond to security incidents faster, minimizing potential damage or loss.
Cost-effectiveness through smart investments
Investing in scalable, cloud-based solutions can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. Traditional security systems often require expensive hardware upgrades and ongoing maintenance. However, with cloud-based systems like Solink’s VMS, you can avoid these costs. Updates are handled automatically, ensuring that your system is always running the latest software without the need for costly on-site interventions.
Additionally, the ability to reduce false alarms through video verification not only saves on potential fines but also reduces the costs associated with unnecessary emergency responses. By investing in technologies that integrate and automate security functions, you can optimize your spending and get more value out of your security budget.
