Guide to Dispensary Security and Cannabis Security Solutions

When a single breach can cost millions in product loss, fines, and reputation damage, “good enough” security isn’t good enough. Cannabis businesses face a unique challenge: guarding high-value inventory and cash while meeting some of the strictest compliance rules in retail. One recent case in California saw thieves clear out $500,000 in product in under three minutes, despite cameras and alarms. Clearly, the old playbook won’t cut it.

In this guide, you’ll discover:

• Core security requirements and solutions from surveillance to access control
• Advanced tools like LPR, weapon detection, and AI-driven monitoring
• How to design, implement, and upgrade a compliant security plan

What is Dispensary Security?

Dispensary security is the combination of policies, systems, and procedures designed to protect cannabis facilities from internal and external threats while maintaining compliance with strict industry regulations. It covers measures that safeguard physical locations, digital systems, and operational processes to ensure products, cash, staff, and customers remain safe.

At its core, marijuana dispensary security is about creating a layered defense from controlled entry points and surveillance to secure data handling and trained personnel, so every aspect of the business is protected against theft, fraud, and regulatory violations.

Importance of Cannabis Security

In the cannabis industry, security is more than a precaution; it’s the foundation for legal operation and long-term survival. The combination of high-value products, cash-heavy transactions, and strict regulatory oversight creates a risk profile unlike any other retail sector. Without robust protections in place, a single breach can result in major financial losses, license suspension, and irreparable damage to reputation.

Here’s why cannabis security is critical:

• Protecting high-value inventory: Cannabis products are valuable and easily resold, making them prime targets for theft and diversion. Strong storage measures, inventory tracking, and access control reduce these risks.
  
• Safeguarding finances: Many dispensaries still operate largely in cash, increasing vulnerability to robbery. Secure vaults, armored transport, and strict cash-handling protocols are essential.
  
• Ensuring safety of people: Trained security personnel, surveillance systems, and panic alarms help protect both employees and customers from potential threats.
  
• Preventing internal theft: Employee access to inventory and systems requires thorough vetting, background checks, and ongoing monitoring.
  
• Maintaining compliance: State and local laws mandate specific measures such as video retention, alarm systems, and secure storage. Failing to meet these requirements can cost a business its license.
  
• Protecting brand trust: Security breaches can damage public confidence and investor interest. Demonstrating a commitment to safety reassures stakeholders.
  
• Adapting to evolving threats: From cyberattacks to coordinated burglary attempts, threats continue to evolve. A proactive security plan allows a business to adjust quickly.

A strong marijuana dispensary security strategy goes beyond compliance, creating a safe environment that protects assets, keeps operations running smoothly, and strengthens the business’s long-term stability.

Security Requirements for Dispensaries

Cannabis dispensaries operate under some of the most stringent security regulations in retail, driven by the need to protect high-value products, large cash reserves, and sensitive customer data. Meeting these requirements isn’t optional, failure to comply can result in hefty fines, loss of license, and damage to business credibility.

Key security requirements include:

• Physical security: State and local laws often mandate controlled entry systems, such as keycards, biometric readers, or video intercoms, to limit access to sensitive areas like storage rooms and vaults. 
  High-definition surveillance cameras with 24/7 recording, compliant placement, and secure data retention are standard. Secure storage in safes or vaults, intrusion alarms, panic buttons, motion sensors, and reinforced doors and windows are also expected. Exterior lighting, fencing, and perimeter barriers further reduce risk.
  

• Cybersecurity: Dispensary systems store customer, transaction, and inventory data that must be protected through multi-factor authentication, encrypted networks, and secure video storage. Regular network audits, data loss prevention tools, and employee cybersecurity training help prevent breaches.
  
• Operational security & compliance: Regulators require documented inventory control, regular audits, and strict loss-prevention procedures. Staff must receive training on security protocols, emergency response, and compliance rules. Background checks and role-based access permissions reduce internal theft risks.
  
• Cash handling protocols: Because many dispensaries remain cash-intensive, secure vaults, safes, and armored transport services are often mandated. Some states require recorded cash-handling processes for compliance.

Security requirements vary by jurisdiction, so dispensaries must stay informed on local licensing rules, surveillance standards, and storage regulations and adapt systems as those rules evolve. A compliant, multi-layered approach not only meets legal obligations but also creates a safer, more resilient business.

Types of Dispensary Security Solutions

A strong marijuana dispensary security plan uses a layered approach, combining multiple technologies and strategies to cover every potential vulnerability. These solutions work together to deter crime, protect assets, and maintain compliance with state and local laws.

1. Live Video Surveillance 

Continuous monitoring is one of the most effective deterrents against theft and vandalism. High-definition cameras placed inside and outside the dispensary provide full coverage of entrances, sales floors, storage areas, and perimeters. 

Many jurisdictions require 24/7 recording with footage retention for a set period. Modern systems allow for remote access, enabling managers to monitor activity from anywhere and integrate with AI analytics to detect suspicious behavior in real time.

Best practices:

• Use infrared or low-light cameras for nighttime clarity.
• Position cameras to capture faces and identifiable details, not just wide views.
• Opt for systems that allow remote monitoring and AI-assisted analytics to detect suspicious behavior in real time.

Example: A dispensary in Nevada prevented a smash-and-grab by remotely identifying loitering suspects and alerting security before a break-in occurred.

2. Access control

Restricting entry to sensitive areas like vaults, storage rooms, or back offices is essential for both compliance and theft prevention. 

Access control systems can include keycards, PIN codes, biometric scanners, or mobile credentials, with role-based permissions to limit staff movement. Cloud-based platforms make it easy to manage multiple locations and audit access logs for investigations.

Best practices:

• Implement role-based permissions so employees only access areas required for their role. 
• Integrate access logs with surveillance footage for faster investigations.
• Use cloud-based systems for multi-location management.

3. Weapon Detection 

Advanced security now includes weapon detection systems that scan for firearms or knives before they enter the premises. Using AI-powered scanners or security gates, these solutions provide early safety alerts to on-site staff and law enforcement, helping prevent violent incidents.

Best practices:

• Position weapon detection at all public entry points.
• Train staff on protocols for responding to an alert.
• Pair with access control for an added layer of screening.

4. Face Detection 

Facial recognition technology can identify known threats, match IDs to faces for age verification, and alert security teams if banned individuals attempt to enter. When integrated with access control and surveillance, it strengthens identity verification while maintaining compliance with privacy laws.

Best practices:

• Use only in compliance with local privacy laws.
• Clearly disclose facial recognition use to customers.
• Integrate with live monitoring for real-time alerts.

5. License Plate Recognition 

License Plate Recognition cameras capture and record vehicle license plates entering and leaving the premises. This data helps track suspicious activity, identify repeat offenders, and support law enforcement investigations. It’s particularly valuable for monitoring parking lots, delivery vehicles, and after-hours access.

Best practices:

• Position LPR cameras at parking lot entrances and exits.
• Store plate data securely in compliance with privacy laws.
• Combine with surveillance footage for a complete record. 

Example: After multiple after-hours thefts, a California dispensary used LPR data to help police identify the getaway vehicle.

6. Secure Storage

All cannabis products and cash should be stored in high-grade safes or vaults with multi-point locking systems. Storage solutions should be located in restricted areas, away from public access, and meet the specifications outlined by state regulators.

Best practices:

• Keep vaults in areas not visible to customers.
• Use tamper-proof containers for product transport between storage and sales floors.
• Schedule regular audits to confirm storage integrity.

7. Alarms and Sensors

Intrusion alarms, glass-break sensors, and motion detectors provide real-time alerts for unauthorized entry attempts. Panic buttons allow staff to discreetly notify authorities during an emergency. When combined with 24/7 monitoring, these systems help ensure a rapid response to security threats.

Together, these security solutions create a multi-layered defense that protects physical assets, deters criminal activity, and ensures compliance in a highly regulated industry.

Best practices:

• Connect alarms to a 24/7 monitoring service for rapid response.
• Install motion-activated exterior lighting to deter intruders.
• Integrate alarms with access control and video systems for centralized management.

Why layering matters:

No single system can address every threat. A well-designed marijuana dispensary security plan integrates multiple solutions, ensuring that if one barrier is bypassed, others are ready to respond. This multi-layered approach protects compliance, prevents losses, and reinforces trust with customers, employees, and regulators.

Security Requirements for Cannabis Dispensaries

Cannabis dispensaries must meet specific, enforceable security requirements set by state and local regulators. These rules are designed to protect high-value products, safeguard cash-heavy operations, and ensure compliance in a tightly monitored industry. While exact mandates vary by jurisdiction, the following areas are commonly regulated.

1. State and Local Licensing Rules

Before opening, dispensaries are typically required to submit a detailed security plan as part of the licensing process. This plan outlines how the business will meet all regulatory requirements, from surveillance coverage to access control. 

Licensing authorities may also require proof of vendor certifications, guard licensing, or security equipment specifications. Some jurisdictions mandate on-site inspections before granting operational approval.

2. Video Retention and Surveillance Standards

Most states require 24/7 video surveillance covering all key areas such as entrances, sales floors, storage, vaults, and exterior perimeters. Regulations often specify minimum resolution (commonly 720p or higher), frame rates, and camera placement to ensure complete coverage without blind spots. 

Video retention periods typically range from 30 to 90 days, with footage stored securely on-site or in the cloud and easily accessible for regulatory review.

3. Alarm and Access System Mandates

Commercial-grade alarm systems with intrusion detection, glass-break sensors, and panic buttons are frequently required. Many states also mandate monitored alarm services to ensure rapid response. 

Access control systems such as keycards, PIN codes, or biometric scanners are required for sensitive areas, with audit logs maintained for inspection.

4. Storage and Transportation Guidelines

Cannabis products and cash must be stored in secure vaults or safes that meet state-specified construction standards, often including multi-point locking systems. 

For transportation, regulations may require armored vehicles, GPS tracking, sealed containers, and documented chain-of-custody procedures. These measures reduce theft risk both on-site and during transit.

Meeting these cannabis security requirements helps create a defensible, compliant operation that can withstand audits, prevent losses, and maintain its license in a competitive, high-risk market.

How to Plan Security for a Cannabis Dispensary

Securing a cannabis dispensary requires a comprehensive, multi-layered plan that addresses every aspect of risk from physical breaches to cyberattacks while staying compliant with state and local regulations. 

Here’s how to build an effective, future-proof security strategy:

1. Conduct a Risk Assessment

Begin by mapping potential threats to your business. Review crime statistics for your location, assess vulnerabilities in your building layout, and evaluate both internal and external risks. 

This includes everything from break-ins and armed robbery to employee theft, cyberattacks, and compliance gaps. The assessment should also factor in regulatory obligations such as surveillance coverage, storage standards, and access control requirements.

2. Choose a Compliant Security Partner

Work with a security provider that specializes in the cannabis industry and understands its unique legal landscape. The right partner will design a security plan that meets all licensing requirements, integrates approved technology, and provides solutions tailored to your dispensary’s size, layout, and risk profile.

3. Train Your Staff

Employees are your first line of defense. Train them to follow access control protocols, handle cash securely, identify suspicious behavior, and respond effectively to emergencies such as robberies or active shooter situations. Training should extend to cybersecurity such as teaching staff to protect passwords, avoid phishing scams, and safeguard sensitive data.

4. Integrate Systems for Centralized Control

Connect surveillance, alarms, access control, and POS systems into one centralized platform. This integration improves real-time visibility, allows automated alerts for suspicious activity, and simplifies compliance reporting by keeping logs and footage easily accessible for audits.

5. Review and Upgrade Regularly

Security threats evolve, and so do regulations. Schedule regular audits to evaluate your systems, processes, and staff readiness. Upgrade outdated technology, refresh employee training, and adjust procedures to stay ahead of emerging risks.

By following these steps, dispensaries can create a comprehensive, compliant security plan that not only protects assets and people but also supports operational continuity in a highly regulated industry.

Build Security That’s Ready for Anything

A well-planned dispensary security strategy doesn’t just check compliance boxes; it shields your business, people, and profits from real threats while keeping operations running smoothly. 

Here’s what to lock in:

• Start with a full risk assessment to uncover vulnerabilities in your facility, processes, and digital systems before they become expensive problems.
  
• Choose a cannabis-compliant security partner who understands your state’s regulations and can design tailored, multi-layered protection for your needs.
  
• Train staff for vigilance so every team member can spot risks, follow secure protocols, and respond confidently to incidents.
  
• Integrate and review systems regularly to keep your security agile, compliant, and one step ahead of evolving threats.

Coram’s advanced surveillance, AI-powered analytics, and access control tools make building this kind of readiness simple, book a demo today and see how secure your dispensary can be.