MN Cannabis Security Plan
Our 32-section security plan template is available for immediate download as an editable Word Doc. You can copy/paste the answers into the Accela Portal administered by the OCM. We have spent the past 9 years collecting and collating information required for the security operations of licensed cannabis businesses, and we have combined that experience with MN’s Final Cannabis Regulations to answer these questions.
Email or Jennifer Martin or call Call us at 877-757-7437 for more information and a walk-through of the document text. Jennifer is an expert in cannabis compliance and application documents, as well as being an award-winning and highly experience cannabis grower and facility designer.
The Security Plan has two major parts:
- A diagram that shows
- All points of ingress and egress [Minn. Stat. Sec. 342.14 subd. 1(a)(6)]
- Windows and doors, with identification of locks [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 12]
- Alarm systems, including control panel and alarm sensors [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 8]
- Video surveillance cameras and storage devices, including identification of video area coverage [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 9]
- Lighting [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 10]
- Lock keypads [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 12]
- Fencing or locked gates (if applicable) [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 14]”
- Narrative text Answers to the following 32 questions:
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Section 5: Security Plan
If you have multiple locations, provide responses for each facility in all prompts within this section. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
Secure Access Procedures and Related Equipment Describe the facility’s secure access procedures and related equipment.
- Describe any commercial-grade locks.* [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 12]
- Describe any lockable product storage areas and restricted-access areas.* [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1104 subp. 13]
- Describe any lockable entrance and exit doors and windows.* [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 12]
- All cannabis workers must have an employment identification badge (issued by the cannabis business) that implements a visual coding system indicating the activities the worker may perform and the areas the worker may access. Describe your plans for meeting this requirement.* [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 6]
- Describe the presence of electronic locks and keypads on all perimeter entry doors.* [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 12]
- Describe your means for preventing access to limited-access areas by individuals under 21 years old.*
- Describe the secure storage of electronic and paper customer and business records in a locked room.* [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 7(c, d)]
- Describe any fencing that might be used for the facility. [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 14]
Alarm System [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 8]
- Describe how you’ll ensure your alarm system has an operational status of 24 hours per day, seven days per week.*
- Describe how the facility’s alarm system will be monitored by a security company or an employee of the licensed business.*
- Describe the facility’s alarm system’s capability of immediately alerting local law enforcement and the business for any unauthorized breaches or a system failure.*
- Describe the presence of a backup system that activates immediately and automatically in the case of electricity loss.*
- Describe the plan for repairing alarm system failures within 72 hours of system failure.*
- Describe the alarm system’s audible alarm capable of being heard within a 100-foot radius from all facility entrances and exits.*
- Describe the ability of the audible alarm to be remotely disabled by authorized personnel.*
Security Personnel [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 16]
- Describe any security personnel that may be utilized, including acknowledging that they must be at least 21 years of age.*
- If employing a security company, ensure they are licensed by the State of Minnesota. Provide information on the security company, (if applicable).
Testing and Inspection of Security Measures [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 3]
- Describe periodic testing and inspection of security measures (that must occur at least every 90 days).*
Video Surveillance System [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 9]
- Describe how you’ll ensure your video surveillance system has an operational status of 24 hours per day, seven days per week.*
- Describe how cameras will allow for clear recording of activity within a radius of at least 20 feet from all entrances and exits.*
- Describe how cameras will allow for the clear identification of all individuals entering and exiting the facility, all limited-access areas, and all restricted-access areas.*
- Describe how cameras will allow for the viewing of all areas where cannabis is stored, packaged and labeled, prepared for transfer, prepared for sale, sold, where samples are collected, or where cannabis waste is destroyed.*
- Describe the facility’s video surveillance system’s ability to produce video files that are stored in a secure place for at least 90 days and saved in an industry standard file format that can be played without the purchase of specialized software or equipment.*
- Describe how the cameras are capable of recording at a minimum of 15 frames per second and with a minimum resolution of 720p.*
- Describe the cameras’ ability to display an accurate date and time stamp on all recordings that do not obscure the image.*
- Describe how the cameras will be permanently affixed to interior and exterior walls.*
- Describe the facility’s video surveillance system’s capability to record for an additional eight hours during a power outage.*
Lighting [Minn. Admin. R. 9810.1500 subp. 10-11]
- Describe the lighting for both the interior and exterior of the facility.*
- Describe how the lighting will ensure that observers can see and cameras can clearly record activity within at least 20 feet of all entrances and exits.*
- Describe how the lighting will not disturb surrounding businesses or neighbors.*
- Describe how deficient or inoperable lighting will be repaired within 48 hours of detection.*
- Will motion sensors be used with lighting? If so, describe.*
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How to Write a Cannabis Security Plan
Applicants and business operators can certainly write their own cultivation or dispensary security plan if they know the security requirements for dispensaries, cultivations or the applicable license type. This involves going in-depth with MN’s cannabis security regulations. Once you’ve read the cannabis security regulations a few times, you start to get a feel for how to interpret and respond to them.
A security plan for a marijuana business includes who is allowed to access security systems, alarms, video surveillance, background checks, employee badges, visitor access, and more, depending on your jurisdiction. The system will need reliable backup power as well. Cannabis security systems include hardware, software, ongoing maintenance, proper use and reporting in order to ensure the safe keeping of valuable product and safety of workers and visitors.
Security Requirements for MN Dispensaries
Security system requirements for dispensaries are unique in comparison with other license types because of the fact that retail customers have regular access to at least part of the building. A cannabis dispensary must go beyond the security requirements dictated by the regulators in order to help ensure that the location is not unduly vulnerable to flash mob robberies and off-hours burglaries. Comprehensive live video monitoring, tight access control, having a heavy safe that is attached to the building are good starting points. It’s advised to have an access control checklist or an access control guide to double up on who is allowed in and who is not.
Cannabis security systems that are provided by cannabis security companies often include cloud-based access control and mobile access control hardware and storage of video footage. The Security Manager will monitor the system during on-hours and usually a 3rd-party security company monitors the cannabis video security system during off-hours.
Marijuana dispensaries are considered vulnerable because security guards can only do so much to prevent access by thieves. Also, retail dispensary security can include deliveries to patients and adult-use consumers. This is a vulnerable situation for dispensaries. Hold-ups have been known to happen, so steps must be taken to mitigate risk at the point of delivery. The states that have allowed the cannabis industry to operate legally all have a strong interest in ensuring that your marijuana security plan includes effective cannabis security solutions.
MN Cannabis Dispensary Security
Every transaction at a dispensary is a potential risk to the business. That is why so many components of the security system should be pre-planned, for example, the floor plan design should minimize confusion for customers going in and out. The security procedures, if staff have had the proper training, will take the customer from the transaction at the POS in a direct line to the exit, all while under security cameras and video surveillance. The access control system includes rules about the direction of foot traffic and limited access areas so that customers can’t stray into secure areas that might only be accessible for vendors and employees. Window and door access should be limited, so that potential threats to normal operations can be contained.
Why Do I Need a Video Surveillance System?
OCM security final plan of record
Grow facility security and processing/manufacturing/dispensary security systems all require video surveillance so that any loss of cannabis or cannabis products can be easily investigated by referring back to archived video. In some states, the video system must be accessible from the local police department and the regulatory agency, which unfortunately adds cost to the installation and maintenance of the system.
MN Cannabis Cultivation Facility Security
Legal marijuana growers and manufacturers handle security requirements a bit differently than dispensaries because they are not operations that serve the public. The basis for policies and rules will still be dictated by regulators, but the issues are more oriented around theft from employees than by customers. Employees might try to pocket cannabis, put it in an opaque mug, in a hat, or in a purse or bag. It’s important to let employees know that they are under constant live video monitoring and that many of their movements of plants and products throughout the facility will require security guards to accompany them. The law will also require that contractors and vendors are accompanied by guards if they enter the facility for any reason.
Are Cannabis Security Systems Different from Other Non-Cannabis Businesses?
Security systems for cannabis businesses are somewhat different from other businesses, mainly because regulatory agencies spell out specific requirements for their specifications, backup power, storage requirements, and for their maintenance. Sometimes security compliance requires piping a live feed of all facility camera angles to the local police department for 24/7 monitoring. In other cases, the jurisdiction will allow a 3rd-party security company to handle video monitoring and system oversight.
Other Cannabis Security Documents we have:
Cannabis Security Procedures (Step-by-Step Instructions for Employees)
Please Note: Our documents are suited for the pre-license phase of a cannabis business application. They save you time on starting your own document system and will also educate you on all of the topics that you will need to cover when setting up your cultivation or dispensary security plan.
Legal Disclaimer: As templates, these documents do not necessarily address the specifics of your regional regulations. They represent the average industry standards of many different states and countries. We advise that you retain a cannabis attorney to finalize these documents in order to ensure compliance and a smooth application approval process. We are not liable for any discrepancies between these docs and the exact requirements of your regulatory agency.
