How to Prevent Dispensary Theft and Robbery

Two trends that are on an unfortunate rise as of late are cannabis dispensary robbery and theft. Both are fueled by high-value inventory, cash-heavy operations, and strict banking limitations that leave many businesses vulnerable.

As such, if you are a marijuana dispensary owner or manager, you must be aware of these threats and how to push back against them. Preventing dispensary theft requires the right technology and well-trained staff. And being proactive is the key to insulating yourself from burglars. Here’s what you need to know.

Understanding the risks of dispensary theftTitle

A dispensary robbery or theft involves the following risks and consequences:

Common types of dispensary theft and robberyTitle

Cannabis businesses face all sorts of different internal and external threats, such as:

• Smash-and-grab robberies
• Armed robberies
• After-hour break-ins
• Carjacking
• Theft
• Cash skimming

These threats can originate from outside parties or even employees of the business itself.

Statistics on cannabis retail lossTitle

As smash-and-grab robberies are the most common type of dispensary theft perpetrated, cannabis retail losses are often significant, costing medical marijuana dispensaries a major portion of their annual revenue.

The impact of theft on operations and complianceTitle

Dispensary theft doesn’t only serve to reduce the establishment’s profits; it can also jeopardize its licensing and compliance in the highly-regulated cannabis industry. Those in charge typically require strict reporting and loss prevention procedures, which means that even a single dispensary robbery that goes unaddressed can lead to fines or even a suspension or revocation of a budtender’s license.

Physical security measures for cannabis dispensariesTitle

The best way to protect your cannabis dispensary from burglary or theft is through proper physical measures. Solutions you should consider include the following:

Controlled access and entry pointsTitle

Limit who can access your dispensary and monitor each point of entry. Only dispensary staff should have access to product storage areas, and you can implement keycard systems that allow you to track who goes into such sensitive locations. If a product or cash goes missing, you’ll have a record of who was around those items and when.

Video surveillance and monitoringTitle

Dispensary security solutions are not complete unless they include surveillance video equipment, and even then, you need high-resolution cameras to appropriately document incidents and deter crime. Consider upgrading to advanced dispensary security solutions that combine artificial intelligence (AI) video analytics with human guards for immediate responses.

Alarm systems and security lightingTitle

Perimeter alarms and motion detectors will alert the local police department or county sheriff if someone makes unauthorized entry into your dispensary. Additionally, criminals are less likely to target a brightly-lit property, especially if every entry point is reinforced with sensors and cameras.

Cash and inventory management practicesTitle

Since many dispensaries remain cash-heavy, things like safes, drop boxes, and armored pickups are critical. You should lock your inventory in secured vaults with restricted access, not stored in easily accessible backrooms.

Operational security practicesTitle

Once you’ve addressed the matter of physical security, you’ll need to implement preventive measures within your policies and procedures. Here are some tips to get you started:

Implementing a comprehensive cannabis security planTitle

When implementing a cannabis security plan, address the following topics:

• Physical safeguards
• Staffing requirements (i.e., minimum staff for each shift)
• Employee practices (i.e., inventorying stock)

Getting your team involved here by asking for suggestions based on what they have observed can help you plug otherwise unnoticed gaps in your strategy.

Regular risk assessments and auditsTitle

Schedule quarterly audits to identify gaps, and regularly review your security footage, access logs, and employee behavior to identify opportunities for improvement. Even small oversights can expose your dispensary business to avoidable risks; propping a service door open while you receive deliveries, for instance, is a serious vulnerability that thieves could exploit.

Secure delivery and storage proceduresTitle

You need to plan every aspect of the delivery process, including the route drivers will take. Additionally, you must create detailed storage procedures that are safety-oriented and easy to follow; taking the guesswork out of making deliveries, inventorying product, and storing cash is key.

Employee training and security awarenessTitle

Your employees are your first line of defense against theft. But they can also be one of your greatest weaknesses if they aren’t properly trained. Inattentive employees open the door for shoplifting and theft.

With that in mind, here are some ways to transform your staff into a tool that will protect your small business:

Importance of staff vigilance and protocolsTitle

Your team members need to be focused and knowledgeable. Training them to recognize suspicious behavior, follow ID verification protocols, and report concerns significantly reduces risks. Connect with your local sheriff’s office and ask them to come in and speak to your staff about common theft trends they observe; their knowledge can be invaluable.

Dispensary employee security trainingTitle

Providing dispensary employee security training is also crucial. These sessions should focus on topics such as:

• Handling cash safely
• Responding to alarms
• De-escalating tense situations

Over time, staff members can get lulled into a false sense of security, so give them periodic refresher sessions to ensure they are always up-to-speed on the latest best practices and techniques.

De-escalation techniques and response plansTitle

If an incident occurs in your dispensary during business hours, your team needs to know how to respond. De-escalation is meant to slow things down and reduce the risk of someone getting seriously injured. Alongside such tactics, your team should also be trained on how to activate a silent alarm and what lockdown procedures to implement to protect the crime scene.

Leveraging technology to prevent dispensary theftTitle

Investing in the latest tech is one of the best ways to stay ahead of criminals. A high-tech dispensary security setup should consist of the following:

AI-powered security camerasTitle

Traditional CCTV passively records what happens, meaning you’ll have to go back and review it after the dispensary theft or robbery occurs. AI-driven systems, on the other hand, can detect suspicious behavior in real time and distinguish it between normal customer activity and a potential threat. That, in turn, enables intervention before crimes have a chance to escalate.

Remote monitoring and live guardsTitle

Cannabis security strategies must move away from passive actions. Remote monitoring is a huge step in the right direction. And Deep Sentinel takes monitoring a step further with live guards who can intervene to deter criminals.

Integration with access control systems and alertsTitle

Seamless integration ensures that any unauthorized entry triggers an instant alert to staff, management, and monitoring centers. You will know as soon as someone enters your store after hours, and you can act to protect your products.

Best practices for continuous security improvementTitle

You should never assume that your security setup is “good enough.” Always work to make your security posture stronger. After all, bad actors are constantly looking for new ways to exploit your dispensary and make off with tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of product.

With that in mind, here are some ways to make your security setup even tougher to crack:

Combining multiple layers of securityTitle

Redundancy is your best friend when it comes to stopping dispensary theft. No single solution is enough, so you should layer measures such as the following:

• Physical barriers
• Staff training
• AI cameras with real-time playback and monitoring

Additionally, you should partner with local law enforcement agencies to discuss ways to keep your dispensary safe. Getting involved in the community adds another layer of protection around your business.

Updating technology and procedures regularlyTitle

Security threats are always evolving, so remember to review and update your systems at least once per year to ensure the latest hardware and software are protecting your business.

While your cameras don’t need to be replaced yearly, you should make it a practice to audit all security measures. While you are at it, review your procedures and make updates as needed.

Collaborating with law enforcement and industry networksTitle

Strong relationships with local police and cannabis industry networks can lead to better response times and fewer false alarms. Communicate with your municipal or county law enforcement agency. If they offer any services designed to make your business more resilient, take advantage of them.

Prevent dispensary robbery and theft with Deep SentinelTitle

Dispensary robbery is a serious threat, but the good news is that you can insulate your business from the risks of theft by using a layered approach to security. By combining physical measures, operational best practices, and employee training, you will drastically reduce the risk your business faces.

Investing in AI-powered cameras from Deep Sentinel levels up your security posture even more. Our cutting-edge solutions combine the latest tech with live guard monitoring for immediate response times. Request a free security consultation for your dispensary.

Preventing Dispensary Theft FAQs