Cannabis dispensaries are high-value targets. A single break-in can cost hundreds of thousands in stolen product, property damage, and regulatory consequences. Every state has specific security requirements, and failing to meet them can result in fines, license suspension, or denial of renewal. This guide covers the non-negotiables: surveillance, access control, storage, and standard operating procedures.
Video surveillance: the rules most shops get wrong
Most states require continuous video recording of all entry points, sales floors, storage areas, and perimeter zones. The common mistakes we see: cameras that do not cover every required angle, storage retention shorter than the mandated period (often 30 to 90 days), timestamps that drift out of sync with the POS, and cameras that fail without alerting anyone.
Minimum viable surveillance setup
- 4K cameras at every entrance and exit, covering faces at eye level.
- Overhead cameras on every register and weighing station.
- Interior cameras with no blind spots in storage and processing areas.
- Exterior cameras covering the parking lot and delivery loading zone.
- Minimum 30-day local storage plus cloud backup for redundancy.
- NTP-synchronized timestamps matching your POS clock within 1 second.
Vault and safe requirements
After hours, all cannabis product must be stored in a vault or safe that meets state specifications. Requirements vary, but common standards include: UL-rated safe (Class I or higher), bolted to the floor or wall, accessible only by licensed employees with individual combinations or biometric access, and logged every time it is opened.
Access control and visitor logs
Every person who enters a restricted area must be logged. That includes employees, contractors, inspectors, and vendors. The log should include: name, ID verification, purpose of visit, time in, time out, and escort name if required. Electronic access control systems with badge readers are the standard in mature markets.
Standard operating procedures
Your security SOPs should be written, trained, and available for inspection. They should cover: opening and closing procedures, alarm system arming and disarming, vault access protocols, incident response (theft, robbery, breach), camera maintenance and testing schedule, and employee termination procedures including key/badge revocation.
The cost of cutting corners
We have seen operators try to save $5,000 on surveillance by buying consumer-grade cameras. When they got robbed and the footage was too grainy to identify the suspects, their insurance claim was denied. When the state auditor discovered the cameras did not meet specifications, they were fined $10,000. The $5,000 savings cost them $50,000. Buy proper equipment the first time.