Across the country, many states are legalizing recreational cannabis. Even though there is no federal mandate, states have lessoned their law enforcement crack-downs and have established procedures for applying for a recreational cannabis license. These procedures aren’t very complicated but they are strict and it will be expensive to apply for a license and establish a facility. In many cases, it may cost as much as one million dollars to get a cannabis business running.
But for purposes of this entry, let’s assume you have all the start up costs and you plan to apply for your license. You will find that you have mostly everything you need: incorporation documents, financial records, property records and criminal disclosures. What you may find is that you don’t have the most important document needed to complete your application – a security plan.
What is a security plan? A security plan is the document you will use to explain and detail processes and procedures for facility security. This document will contact lots of information: charts, names, titles, graphics, policies, contact information, post orders from your physical security company, etc.
To craft this plan, first you will need to know your state’s specific requirements. And the requirements vary from state to state. For example some states require cameras in the facility parking lot, some states require transporters to maintain secure communications with the recipient of the cannabis and some states require a minimum resolution for the recording equipment. Regardless of what your state requires, it is critical that you know and understand each and every requirement. Your application must address each requirement in detail. Missing one will lead to certain rejection of your application.
Once you understand your state’s requirements, now you will detail the rules, procedures and policies for how your employees will handle robberies, natural disasters, protests, bomb threats or other emergencies. You will list the names and titles of security, maintenance personnel and employees that have access to secure areas.
Additionally, you will describe your alarm system, your surveillance system, your equipment maintenance plan and your employee and security guard training plan. You will also provide facility drawings and graphics illustrating camera locations. When you are done, this document can be 25 pages or more, depending on how much detail you provide. But all of that work will pay off when the state approves your application.
If you decide that this task is too daunting or cumbersome or you would rather focus on other areas of your application, contact Samson Protection Services today. We can offer our facility security plan to ease your worry. Our plan, which was developed using the strictest requirements in the country, has an easy-to-follow template and will help get your application approved. Contact us today!
