Cannabis Businesses: Don’t Neglect Your Security Plan!

There are three things you should never do:
1. Be your own doctor
2. Be your own lawyer
3. Write your own cannabis business application!

I have been involved in the cannabis industry for the last eight years and have seen many businesses and entrepreneurs with a strong desire to enter this industry. Some want to cultivate and distribute cannabis, while others want to operate a dispensary and sell cannabis to customers. Additionally, there are some even more ambitious groups that seek to open a vertical business and handle cannabis from seed-to-sale. All are great avenues to enter this rapidly expanding and evolving industry!

Producer of Marihuana License — A United States marijuana production license from 1945

Winning a Cannabis Business License

But before you can set up your cannabis business and hire your staff, you will first need obtain a cannabis business license by applying for state and/or local approval. Applications can range from 300 to 2,000 pages and can cover a wide range of topics, including a well-defined security plan.

The primary purpose of a cannabis security plan is to demonstrate the proposed business’ commitment to compliance and security to the graders of the Application. This typically includes measures to ensure a safe and secure environment for your employees, customers, patients, and visitors, by covering topics such as access control, video surveillance, product security, and employee training.

It is imperative that the person in charge of writing your cannabis business application has experience in their specialty, whether that be financials, operations, or security. This is not the time to give a lawyer or accountant friend, ex-DEA agent, or a retired police chief the chance to learn how to write a cannabis application. Remember, you may only get one chance at a cannabis license and regulatory agencies are not likely to accept an incomplete, late, or deficient cannabis business application.

So, you want to enter the industry and win a cannabis business license? Hire a professional!

How Can Sapphire Risk Help?

Tony Gallo and the team of professionals and consultants at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group have written hundreds of security plans for cannabis business applications. Contact us today to learn how we can help you win a license and enter the cannabis industry. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with more security best practices and cannabis industry updates!