Licensed marijuana grow ops and retail stores have very specific security needs. They are high-risk targets, and often, companies providing traditional security solutions are either unwilling or unable to provide the all encompassing security solutions that this industry needs.

As political and business interests in legal marijuana growing increases, so does the need for specific targeted security solutions. If Canada’s liberals follow through on their promise to legalize recreational use of marijuana, the industry will boom.

There are already regulations in place for legal medical marijuana operations, and it is important to be familiar with these before you set out to find a security solution. If you’re thinking of getting into the legal marijuana production and distribution business, or you're already licensed and operating for medical marijuana, then you need a top-notch marijuana security system that is going to guarantee you quick police response. 

First though, you must be aware of all the security requirements and conform to the current legislation Health Canada has issued. The guidance document - Building and Production Security Requirements for Marijuana for Medical purposes is now available and this document should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections of other applicable guidance documents and the Directive on Physical Security Requirements for Controlled Substances.

What are the risks of a legal marijuana grow-op or retail store?

Marijuana grow ops and retail stores pose a very attractive target for criminals, especially since there’s a ready marijuana market for quick product sale. Unlicensed operations can’t report to the police if their location has been the target of an armed robbery or break-in.  But for licensed marijuana businesses, with legal marijuana growing operations, the situation is very different.

If a criminal is confident enough  break into and rob another criminal’s illegal marijuana grow-op, do you think they will be afraid to rob a legal marijuana facility? If you’re a law-abiding citizen, you probably won’t shoot back or send your “friends” to collect the stolen product. Therefore, legal grow-ops and stores that store their product and cash on site end up being very high risk for theft and armed robbery.

What is the solution?

Your site must be designated in a way that prevents unauthorized access and include physical barriers where cannabis is present. This should also include access control, sensors, intrusion detection, and security signage.

Anywhere on your site where cannabis is present must be visually monitored at all times. These systems should be able to successfully detect and record any occurrences of unauthorized access.

The perimeter must include an intrusion detection system that operates 24/7 and monitors and records illicit activities and access, movement in the site, and tampering with security systems.

Sonitrol can provide the solutions

Sonitrol’s security consultants will design a verified and fully integrated security system for your marijuana grow operation that employs the best physical security for your perimeter fences, windows, doors, with "authorized personnel only" access control. Sonitrol will also provide an innovative verified video and audio monitoring system that the police will respond to.

Our verified SonaVision technology is a remotely monitored video solution that is considerably superior to CCTV. CCTV only records activity, at best, providing you with an after the fact video of a guy wearing a ski mask (unidentifiable), but more often provides nothing at all, since criminals are well aware they can remove the digital recorder or damage it enough that there is no record. If our SonaVision alarm system is tripped by a break-in or armed robbery, we stream the live SonaVision video directly to the responding Police units, so they're ready and prepared to catch the criminals in action.

Additionally, Sonitrol’s active audio continuously monitors the ambient sounds in a marijuana grow-op facility and when break-ins are attempted, the audio recordings are listened to by our monitoring station, and when verified, the Police are informed of a crime in progress. In the case of armed robberies, our live audio stream is passed directly to responding Police units so they can hear exactly what is happening.

Sonitrol security solutions include integrated access control to securely manage entry to gates and doors only allowing those who are authorized to enter. Our systems record all authorized entries and unauthorized entry attempts, adding another layer of security for your marijuana business.

Professional thieves know how Sonitrol verified security systems work; how they are very difficult to defeat and how Police across North America give a prioritized response to Sonitrol calls for crimes in progress. Therefore many professional criminals will not attempt to rob or break into a facility protected by Sonitrol.