Five Ways To Improve Your Cannabis Business Security

By Daniel Linskey

With the legalization of cannabis expanding across multiple states, a growing number of entrepreneurs are finding new and lucrative opportunities. Without federal approval, the cannabis business is not without risk. Whether their focus is on medical or recreational—cultivation, extraction, testing and calibration, manufacturing, transport/delivery or dispensary—facility owners and operators should prioritize compliance and security to stay on the right side of the law and protect their investments. The following best practices can help you keep regulators happy and protect staff, customers and inventory.

FOCUS ON PHYSICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY

It might seem obvious, but safeguarding customers and employees from harm is a must. To ensure security is both visible and engaging, companies in the industry should take the following measures:

• Posting an obvious security professional by the front door and any other entryways.

• Making it obvious that cameras, intrusion detection and door access control systems are in place.

• Ensuring covert security measures (e.g., hold-up buttons) are effectively placed and readily accessible.

• Physically hardening critical areas against penetration by reinforcing walls, ceilings or roofs, floors, doors and so on as required.

• Implementing layered measures to enhance security.

For example, entries should include attack-resistant building materials, secure

About the author: Daniel Linskey is a managing director in Kroll’s Security Risk Management practice, head of the Boston office, and a fellow at the Kroll Institute. As the former Superintendent-in-Chief of the Boston Police Department (BPD) and a 27-year veteran of the force, Dan provided strong leadership through some of the most tragic and contentious events in the city’s history, including the Boston Marathon bombings and the Occupy Movement. Dan serves clients in diverse industries with uncommon experience in investigations, crisis response, and risk management, as well as personal, physical, and operational security strategies. Widely respected for his knowledge of the complexities inherent in law enforcement and homeland security, Dan has also consulted with numerous national and international government agencies on a broad range of challenges, including large-scale event management, crisis leadership, and preparedness and community engagement strategies.

cameras with clear lines of sight, automated locking mechanisms and professional security personnel.

• Conducting regular testing and inspection of security measures and practices for effectiveness and regulatory compliance.

• Developing and executing robust security policies and practices for product receipt/ delivery, storage, handling, processing, packaging, fulfillment and cash management.

Technological security systems are an important tool, but they can provide a false sense of security if not properly applied. For example, cannabis regulations typically require cameras in all spaces where cannabis is cultivated, processed, packaged, handled, circulated or sold. But optimal placement, image resolution and quality are much more important than installing several cameras. will) monitor dozens of camera feeds. The best approach is to consult with security experts to determine the proper system equipment, placement, operation and management to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices.

Staff training is another important aspect of physical safety and security. Adequate training enables staff to deal with any crises that might come up, including: