Kush refers to potent strains of Indica cannabis cultivated from landrace flora growing in Afghanistan, Northern India, Pakistan and Iran. It’s also used as general slang for marijuana.

Currently, numerous medical marijuana dispensaries offer Kush and other marijuana varieties to eligible patients as a way to alleviate the symptoms of chronic, painful diseases.

Kush is also highly desirable as recreational marijuana and has become increasingly popular in Colorado, Washington, and states where marijuana is decriminalized but it is still illegal to possess and use the substance.

Marijuana may be one of the most desirable and saleable commodities available on the free market. If you’re a grower or business owner dealing with Kush and other strains of marijuana, you need to take extra security measures to ensure your product isn’t targeted by criminals seeking to make easy money.

There are state-specific rules and regulations marijuana dispensaries, growers and retailers must adhere to, which are in place to ensure the safe and proper consumption of marijuana as well as to help deter marijuana-related criminal activity. Some of these regulations include:

• Patients or purchasers must show proof of a debilitating medical condition that would benefit from marijuana consumption.
• Eligible minors may only consume marijuana under the consent and control of a parent or legal guardian.
• Patients must adhere to state-specific restrictions concerning the amount of marijuana a person can possess and grow.
• Appropriate security measures must be taken to maintain adequate control against the diversion, theft, and loss of marijuana.

On top of these generally accepted rules and regulations concerning legal marijuana production and consumption, certain states have highly specific security and surveillance laws.

For example, according to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), dispensaries and growers in the state must have an operational security system that includes all perimeter entry points and windows.

Facilities must contain a complete video surveillance system with a minimum resolution of 640X470 pixels, which must be IP-compatible. The system must be capable of not only video recording but also image acquisition. All entrances and exits must be monitored with one of these surveillance cameras.

The dispensaries in Massachusetts should be equipped in a similar fashion to those in Washington, but must also include a duress alarm, panic alarm, or holdup alarm that is able to notify local law enforcement in the event of a break-in.

Surveillance systems must contain a failure notification system that alerts dispensary workers of any malfunctions via audible, text, or visual notifications.

If there are not already specific security regulations for your state, it’s likely there will be soon. Here are three methods to guarantee your security is more than adequate.

1. CCTV

Security cameras or closed circuit television systems monitor buildings or growing areas when you are not there in person. By installing interior and exterior cameras, you have 24-hour access to real-time images via your computer or smartphone.

CCTV is great at deterring criminal activity, especially when thieves can see that cameras are up and running to capture every move they make.

Advantages offered by CCTV include:

• Clear and undisputed evidence to successfully prosecute criminals
• Extra protection for employees
• Reduced possibility of worker theft
• No need to pay for on-site security guards

2. Alarm Systems

If you are on a restricted budget, alarm systems are the next best method of securing your marijuana inventory. Incredibly loud alarms are available that would scare off even the most tenacious of thieves looking to make a quick buck off your hard work.

Alarms can be hooked up to doors and window so that any movement triggers them. Add a couple of well-trained guard dogs and even the dumbest criminal should know better than to try to steal your inventory.

3. Motion-Sensor Devices

With daytime robberies being just as common as nighttime thefts, protecting your business and/or grow operations while you are working is as important as continuously monitoring your businesses when you are not there. Motion-sensors inform you that someone has entered the building via loud beeps or even siren-like sounds.

Motion sensors work by using infrared technology that detects the abnormal presence of heat from human (or animal) bodies. This type of security device allows you to perform necessary daily tasks without always needing to be present in the main entrance area of your business or grow operation.

For more information on how surveillance is mandatory for licensed marijuana growers and the associated regulations, please visit our Marijuana Security Solutions page.