Cannabis security regulations vary widely based on the site’s location and jurisdiction. Large swaths of the United States currently allow recreational or medical marijuana sales, and Germany just joined a set of nine countries worldwide that have legalized recreational cannabis use. However, each jurisdiction places different restrictions and requirements around securing cannabis-based businesses and retail locations, muddying the water for security professionals trying to prevent crime and comply with local and national laws.

A new Cannabis Security Standard from ASIS International provides requirements and guidance for the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and maintenance of a cannabis security program. The ANSI-approved standard also provides guidance and minimum-security requirements on the identification, application, and management of physical protection systems to safeguard an organization’s assets for cannabis operations, as well as the storage and transport of products and currency. In some cases, the requirements of this standard might exceed those required for compliance for the operation’s jurisdiction.

The risk of theft or tampering is high in cannabis organizations, so Security Management is providing a short excerpt from the Cannabis Security Standard here about how to better secure cannabis products, inventory, and cash.

For more, see the full standard online here (available free as an eBook to ASIS International members).

A.10   Secure Storage

Implementing appropriate secure storage for cannabis and cannabis products is an essential component in any cannabis security program. Providing robust and secure storage methods will not only safeguard inventory, but will also ensure compliance, protection of people and property, and prevent unauthorized access which can lead to cannabis diversion or theft.

The organization shall employ secure storage. The range of secure storage types can vary greatly due to several factors, including the specific needs of the cannabis facility, regulatory frameworks, facility size and type, and the level of security necessary to protect cannabis products. The following factors should be taken into consideration when selecting secure storage types:

• Facility type and size. Different types of cannabis facilities, such as cultivation, manufacturing, retail, or testing labs, have distinct storage needs based on the nature of their operations. For example, cultivation facilities may require storage solutions that accommodate live plants and harvested cannabis, while manufacturing facilities need storage for raw materials, extracts, and finished products. The specific storage requirements and constraints of each facility type can lead to variation in the types of secure storage used.
• Security risks and threats. The level of security required can vary depending on the perceived risks and threats associated with the facility's location, the value of the stored cannabis products, and local crime rates. Facilities operating in high-risk areas or dealing with high-value inventory should utilize more robust storage solutions, such as vaults or cages, to deter theft and unauthorized access.
• Storage capacity and scalability. Facilities should utilize secure storage solutions with sufficient capacity for the needs of the operation. Should the facility anticipate expansion or an increase in inventory levels over time, then flexible storage solutions that can accommodate growth, such as modular vault systems or expandable cage systems should be considered.
• Environmental control. Cannabis products often require specific environmental conditions to maintain their quality, potency, and regulatory compliance. Some storage options may provide advanced climate control systems, while others may rely on basic ventilation and insulation. When applicable, facilities should identify specific environmental conditions and utilize storage options that provide temperature, humidity, and light control features. Additional factors that should also be considered when selecting secure storage solutions include best practices, operational efficiency, and budget.
• Regulatory compliance. Different regions and jurisdictions may have varying regulations and requirements for secure cannabis storage. These regulations can dictate the specific types of storage solutions, security measures, and access control protocols that must be implemented.

Secure storage areas shall only be accessible to authorized persons. Additionally, operational and security procedures shall be in place to limit access to the minimum number of authorized persons necessary. All access points to secure storage areas shall be continuously monitored via video surveillance and intrusion detection. All secure storage areas shall be constructed in such a way that no walls are shared with an adjoining space and at least six inches (15 cm) from any exterior wall.

The common storage types for securing cannabis and cannabis products are:

• Vaults;
• Locked interior storage rooms;
• Cages;
• Safes; and
• Locked cabinets.

Vaults

Vaults provide the highest level of security and are the most ideal cannabis storage solution. The robust construction, along with advanced security features such as high-security locks, biometric access controls, and alarm systems, significantly reduce the risk of theft, unauthorized access, and diversion. Vaults can also provide a structured and organized storage space, facilitating efficient inventory management and tracking of cannabis products.

Vaults shall conform to, or exceed the following specifications:

• Walls, floors, and ceilings be constructed with steel; or of at least eight inches of reinforced concrete; or other substantial masonry, reinforced vertically and horizontally with half inch (13 mm) steel rods tied six inches (15 cm) on center, or the structural equivalent to such reinforced walls, floors, and ceilings;
• Doors, hinges, and frame units be constructed in such a manner as to conform to the following specifications or the equivalent: 30 man-minutes against surreptitious entry, 10 man-minutes against forced entry, 20 man-hours against lock manipulation, and 20 man-hours against radiological techniques. Doors be equipped with electronic and/or biometric access controls;
• Be integrated with intrusion detection system components such as door contact switches, vibration sensors, motion sensors, and panic buttons to immediately signal an alert to security personnel or law enforcement in cases of attempted breach or unauthorized entry;
• Be continuously monitored by video surveillance to capture and record all activity within and around the storage area, including all entry points.

Vaults should be integrated with fire-resistant materials, sprinkler systems, or other emergency response mechanisms in place to protect the stored cannabis products. This helps ensure the continuity of business operations and safeguards inventory from unforeseen events.

Locked Interior Storage Room

Because of the nature of its construction, locked storage rooms are not as secure as vaults. They may, however, provide an effective storage solution for many types of cannabis facilities when fortified with heavy-duty construction and augmented by intrusion detection, video surveillance, and access control features.

Locked storage rooms shall conform to, or exceed the following specifications:

• Non-masonry walls and ceilings be lined with minimum ¾” plywood (19 mm) or 12-gauge steel plate or mesh;
• Floors be constructed with reinforced concrete, other substantial masonry;
• Doors and frame assemblies be constructed and installed in such a manner to provide 10 man-minutes against forced entry; doors also be equipped with electronic and/or biometric access controls;
• Be integrated with intrusion detection system components such as door contact switches, vibration sensors, motion sensors, and panic buttons to immediately signal an alert to security personnel or law enforcement in cases of attempted breach or unauthorized entry;

• Be continuously monitored by video surveillance to capture and record all activity within and around the storage area, including all entry points.

Cages

Cages are commonly utilized to store large quantities of unprocessed cannabis, typically located at cannabis cultivation and manufacturing/processing facilities. Due to their construction, cages provide an intermediate level of security and control for cannabis storage. Common materials include steel or wire mesh.

Cages shall conform to, or exceed the following specifications:

• Be constructed of not less than 10-gauge steel fabric or wire mesh mounted on steel posts, which posts are at least one inch in diameter; set in concrete or installed with lag bolts; and which are placed no more than 10 feet (3 m) apart with horizontal one and one-half inch (13 mm) reinforcements every 60 inches (1.5 m);
• Have a mesh construction with openings of not more than two and one-half inches (6 cm) across the square;
• Have a ceiling constructed of the same material, or in the alternative, be erected to reach and be securely attached to the structural ceiling of the building;
• Be equipped with a door constructed of 10-gauge steel fabric on a metal door frame in a metal door flange;
• Be integrated with intrusion detection system components such as door contact switches, vibration sensors, motion sensors, and panic buttons to immediately signal an alert to security personnel or law enforcement in cases of attempted breach or unauthorized entry;

• Be continuously monitored by video surveillance to continuously capture and record all activity within and around the storage area, including all entry points.

Safes

By offering significant resistance against burglary attempts and ensuring the protection of cannabis products from theft and unauthorized access, safes can provide an effective solution for cannabis storage and security, especially for small-scale cannabis retail operations.

Safes shall conform to, or exceed the following specifications:

• Tool and lock – 30-minute (TL-30x6) rating or better (this rating indicates that the safe has been rigorously tested and proven to provide a minimum of 30 minutes of resistance against sophisticated burglary tools and attacks);
• If under 750 lbs. (340 kg), be bolted or otherwise secured to the floor so as to render it immovable;
• Be integrated with IDS components such as door contact switches, vibration sensors, motion sensors, and panic buttons to immediately signal an alert to security personnel or law enforcement in cases of attempted breach or unauthorized entry; and
• Be continuously monitored by video surveillance to continuously capture and record all activity around the safe.

For an additional layer of security, safes may be housed inside vaults or secured storage rooms.

Locked Cabinets

Although cabinets can satisfy a variety of purposes in a cannabis facility (e.g., storage, display, and showcase), they are typically the least effective storage solution due to their size and construction materials and shall not be used to store cannabis during non-operational hours.

Locked cabinets shall conform to, or exceed the following specifications:

• Be constructed from sturdy materials, such as steel, and be resistant to tampering or forced entry;
• Have reinforced frames and glass fortified with polycarbonate glazing material to provide impact protection;
• Have high security locking mechanisms or electronic/biometric access controls to prevent unauthorized access. Multi-point locking mechanisms should be integrated for added layered security;
• Be securely anchored to the floor or walls in a manner as to render them immovable; and
• Be continuously monitored by video surveillance to continuously capture and record all activity around the cabinets.

Whenever possible, locked cabinets should be integrated with intrusion detection components, such as door contact switches, vibration sensors, motion sensors, and panic buttons to immediately signal an alert to security personnel or law enforcement in cases of attempted breach or unauthorized entry.

 

For more, see the full Cannabis Security Standard online here (available free as an eBook to ASIS International members).

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