Proactive Measures

Proactive Security vs. Reactive Security

Why should I hire security guards for my facility? We have cameras and an alarm system. Why would I need a security guard? Understanding the differences: Proactive Security is exactly as it sounds, being proactive. Reactive security is also self-understood. On a deeper level, proactive security is the highest level of security. Here’s why. Why is Proactive Security Important? Practically …

Security Training for Dispensary Employees

Security Training for Dispensary Employees 

One of the most crucial aspects of running a high-risk business is ensuring that your employees are well-versed in your dispensary’s security standards and procedures. There is a clear correlation between your company’s long-term success and how well trained your employees are. Trained employees off your business a better ROI because they are aware of the company’s losses if they …

Designing a Cannabis Dispensary that Deters Crime

Designing a Cannabis Dispensary that Deters Crime

This article was originally featured on the RDC blog here. Designing a successful dispensary can be challenging in any location, but when the retailer is located in a high-crime area this task becomes even more difficult. Since it is not always possible to obtain property in a low-crime area due to competitive markets, zoning laws, and other factors, dispensary owners …

New York Regulatory Update

New York Regulatory Update

This article was originally featured on the RDC blog here. Though medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 2014, recreational cannabis was only recently legalized in New York in 2021. The rollout of recreational cannabis has been slow in New York, but draft regulations were recently released and now the industry is gearing up for licensing. It is projected that the New …

Fire Safety for Cannabis Cultivation and Manufacturing

Fire Safety for Cannabis Cultivation and Manufacturing Facilities: New NFPA Standards

Cannabis cultivation and manufacturing are major operations. Aside from requiring considerable amounts of expensive and specialized equipment, cultivation and manufacturing are usually marred with lengthy licensing processes requiring stringent environmental impact reviews and facility requirements. Further, cultivation and manufacturing are at particular risk of fire, whether from instituting insufficient controls, poor electrical work or flawed connections, natural disasters (namely wildfires), …

10 Years of Washington Cannabis

Washington Cannabis: 10 Years of Legal Cannabis but the Illicit Market Remains

Cannabis has been legal in Washington State now for 10 years, making Washington among the most mature cannabis markets in the country. In 2020 alone, Washington’s cannabis market generated over 18,000 jobs and over $600 million in tax revenue. So why is the unregulated market still thriving? Washington State Cannabis Excise Tax Despite beliefs that California holds the highest, most complex tax …

Oregon Cannabis Market Challenges

Unlicensed Cannabis Cultivation in Oregon: Legislation is Bolstering Enforcement, but More Action is Needed

Regions of robust, legal cannabis cultivation, such as the State of Oregon, are seeing a surge in unlicensed cultivation activities that are threatening legal markets, harming the local environment, and creating serious labor and humanitarian concerns.  Consequences of Unlicensed Cultivation in Oregon Unlicensed cultivation sites are rampant throughout the counties of Deschutes, Jackson, and Josephine in Oregon. Operated chiefly by organized …

What are Smart Safes and How to Use Them in Cannabis Dispensaries

What are Smart Safes and How to Use Them at Cannabis Dispensaries

The cannabis industry presents a very unique and challenging field to conduct business in. Not only must cannabis businesses navigate the waters of a semi-legal industry, but they must also deal almost exclusively in cash. Handling and managing cash can pose real financial risks for cannabis dispensaries. For starters, having large sums of cash present at your business invites criminal activity …

How to Prevent Wildings at Cannabis Dispensaries

How to Prevent “Wildings” at Your Cannabis Dispensary

In the past few years, retail stores across the United States have seen an influx in crime involving groups conducting smash and grab lootings, also known as “wildings.” Cannabis dispensaries have not been immune to these crimes and many of these “wildings” occurred in California. In most cases, the incidents were over in a matter of minutes – with looters …

Increased Security Requirements for Denver Dispensaries

Increased Security Requirements for Denver Dispensaries

As of January 1st, of this year, the city of Denver, Colorado has begun mandating cannabis dispensaries implement additional security requirements in response to recent increases in crime at cannabis businesses. There are over 200 dispensaries in Denver that produce an estimated $700 million in annual revenue that now must comply with regulations that bear additional costs and include the use of a secure storage …