Cannabis store owners have a lot to consider before opening their shops, but security mustn’t become an afterthought.
Protecting your inventory, staff, and customers is a vital priority for any shop owner. But also, it’s against the law to go without such protection. Local laws require you to implement a range of cannabis store security measures before opening your doors to the public.
In this post, we look at some of those requirements in closer detail to help you identify the right solutions for your store.
Cannabis Store Security: What the Laws Say
Canada’s provinces and territories have regulations for how cannabis is sold and consumed. This post will look at Ontario, whose laws provide a good framework for cannabis store security.
Ontario’s laws are set forth under the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 (CLA) and Regulation 468/18, which is regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Here’s a quick overview of the rules regarding store security:
1) Stores must have video surveillance
The law dictates that “a secure, high-resolution surveillance system must be in place at all times.”
Additionally, it matters where your cameras are located and what they capture:
- Cameras must capture the interior and exterior of the cannabis store 24 hours a day, including entrances & exits, pickup/delivery areas, sales floor, storage and point-of-sale areas.
- All video recordings must be retained for 30 days or more.
- Store owners ensure these cameras are “functioning properly at all times.”
2) Store access must be secure
The CLA states that “all access points to the premises must be secure and protected against unauthorized access.”
While the rules do not go into details here, cannabis store owners may want to consider measures such as:
- Heavy-duty, commercial-grade locks
- Access control systems
- Entry systems and intercoms
- Security bars for doors & windows
- High-strength window film
- Monitored alarm systems and glass-break detectors
3) Cannabis storage must be secure
Where cannabis is stored or handled, it must remain secure and be accessible only to keep employees.
The law specifies that this applies to every aspect of storage, including:
- Display containers
- Point of sale
- Receipt of product
- Destruction of product
- Return of product to the producer or the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation
4) Cannabis can’t be visible from outside the store
Laws require cannabis store owners to ensure that “cannabis and accessories are not visible from the exterior of the premises.”
The store layout can partially solve this challenge. However, licensees may also want to consider additional security measures, such as tinted window film and other coverings that prevent people from seeing products outside the store.
5) Display containers must be secure
Stores can use “sensory display containers” that allow customers to see and smell cannabis.
However, these cases must be kept locked and tamper-proof to prevent customers from actually touching the cannabis.
Choosing suitable containers with secure locking mechanisms is critical for store owners to remain compliant.
Need help with your cannabis store security?
Contact our experts at Protection Plus for more information on security solutions that protect your cannabis store and keep you in compliance with all applicable laws.
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