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What you should know about Security for the Cannabis Business in Illinois

All systems designed by LaMarco are modular and flexible and can accommodate future growth and transition from medical cannabis to recreational usage as licenses become available.

As of January 1, 2020, Illinois became the 11th state to legalize marijuana for both medical and recreational (decriminalized) use. By the end of 2020, the State will have issued licenses to 40 craft growers, 75 stores and 40 processors. By the end of 2021 Illinois could award licenses to an additional 60 craft growers, 110 stores and 60 processors.

All licenses are subject to meeting compliance with the State of Illinois Section 1290.410 Security Requirements regulating medical and recreational use facilities.

Security Requirements surrounding the cannabis business account for every stage, including the plant’s growth, trimming, harvesting, packaging, and transportation processes. The state requires 24/7 surveillance to ensure there were no blind spots throughout the “seed to store” operation.

LaMarco fully understands Illinois regulatory requirements and can design a fully integrated solution tailored to each type of cannabis business facility. Most importantly, we can package a broad range of the newest technologies from multiple platforms to achieve the most reliable operation.

Cannabis Dispensary Security

Per Illinois cannabis regulations, dispensaries must implement security measures and install equipment to protect the premises, purchasers, and the dispensing organization agents.

Illinois cannabis dispensaries must develop and implement policies to ensure safe and controlled flow of patients or purchasers moving from the facility entrance into the dispensing areas while safeguarding the limited access areas with locked doors.

During operating hours, all cannabis must be stored and dispensed from restricted access areas.

When the dispensary is closed, all cannabis and currency must be stored in a reinforced vault room in the restricted area in a manner as to prevent diversion, theft or loss.

The reinforced vault room and any other cannabis storage areas must remain securely locked and prevent unauthorized entry.

Cannabis Cultivation Security

An Illinois cannabis cultivation facility is required to operate and maintain in good working order a 24 hour, seven days a week, closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system to be operated with digital video recording devices.  Security recordings will have high definition image resolution and enable motion-based recording.  The recording system for the security cameras must be located in a locked, tamper-proof compartment. A cultivation center must prohibit taping over existing security video from the last 60 days.   The facility must ensure the availability of a video printer capable of immediately producing a clear still photo from any video camera image.

Access to surveillance areas must be limited to persons who are essential to surveillance operations, law enforcement agencies, security system service personnel, the Department, and others when approved by the Department. Surveillance rooms shall remain locked.

Alarm System Monitored by Central Station

Illinois cannabis operations must have an adequate security plan and security system to prevent and detect diversion, theft, or loss of cannabis, currency, or unauthorized intrusion using commercial grade equipment installed by an Illinois licensed private alarm contractor or private alarm contractor agency. At minimum, a dispensing operation must have the following:

• A perimeter alarm on all entry points and glass break protection on perimeter windows;
• Security shatterproof tinted film on exterior windows;
• A failure notification system that provides an audible, text, or visual notification of any failure in the surveillance system, including, but not limited to, panic buttons, alarms, and video monitoring system;
• A duress alarm, panic button, and alarm, or holdup alarm and after-hours intrusion detection alarm that by design and purpose will directly or indirectly notify, by the most efficient means, the Public Safety Answering Point for the law enforcement agency having primary jurisdiction;
• Security equipment to deter and prevent unauthorized entrance into the dispensary, including electronic door locks on the limited and restricted access areas that include devices or a series of devices to detect unauthorized intrusion that may include a signal system interconnected with a radio frequency method, cellular, private radio signals or other mechanical or electronic device.

Restricted and Limited Access Areas, Access Control

All restricted access areas must be secure, with locking devices that prevent access from the limited access areas.

Illinois marijuana facilities must prohibit keys, if applicable, from being left in the locks, or stored or placed in a location accessible to persons other than specifically authorized personnel.

Facilities must also prohibit accessibility of security measures, including combination numbers, passwords, or electronic or biometric security systems to persons other than specifically authorized dispensing organization agents.

Establish tiered access levels for different employees, as some were not given access to specific grow rooms, storerooms, and hallways. Access control customization is a big part of the compliance process to ensure authorized employees could easily access the areas they needed to, while others are prevented from entering sensitive areas

Video Surveillance

To monitor the dispensary, the dispensing organization shall incorporate continuous electronic video monitoring of enclosed dispensary areas, including all points of entry and exit.

The cameras shall be directed so all areas are captured, including, but not limited to, safes, vaults, sales areas, and areas where cannabis is stored, handled, dispensed, or destroyed.

Security cameras shall be angled to allow for facial recognition. Also, the outside areas, the storefront, and the parking lot will also be video monitored. All monitors must be 19 inches or greater.

All recordings must be embedded with a date and time stamp and have the ability to remain operational during a power outage with a 4-hour minimum battery backup.

The video surveillance equipment shall allow for the exporting of still images in an industry standard image format. Additional on-site data storage (video archive) system can be added to retain more than 30 days of video storage per cannabis dispensary laws.

The facility security features must include a failure notification system that provides an audible and visual notification of any failure in the electronic video monitoring system.

In addition to the core Security Requirements we recognize unique circumstances businesses face due to COVID-19 situation.  As some dispensaries consider adding Curbside Cannabis Delivery  we can install additional curbside pickup cameras to allow customers to avoid coming into the dispensary while still being able to pick up their product.

We can add intelligent video analytics to accommodate potential future surveillance needs.

To schedule an assessment of your site or ask questions, contact us today at 847-239-7590 or click here to request evaluation of your system.