By Warren Pulley, VP Project 7 Security Group
Twitter: @p7securitygroup
I’ve been interacting with cannabis entrepreneurs to discuss cannabis security operations around the State of California in preparation for the commercial boom of marijuana sales in 2018. I am surprised at just how many of these entrepreneurs have already determined with whom they will be working. From which growers to purchase products from to which manufacturing plants will package their edibles and CBD’s, as well as the labs and distribution locations that will feed their pipelines. Some have spent large sums of money on developing highly informative marketing plans to engage what is sure to be a vast and eager customer base.
However, most of these cannabis entrepreneurs have overlooked the single most important link in a highly profitable business model for owners. This overlooked link will also create a boom for the organized criminal element that can pick off the business owners who have yet to develop effective, State of California approved security plans and operations.
Assembly Bill 266 requires the Board of Equalization to adopt a system for reporting the movement of commercial cannabis and cannabis related products. It provides for fines and civil penalties for any business attempting to operate outside of this posted guidelines. Business owners can be assured that the State of California will heavily regulate the security operations of each marijuana establishment simply because of the likelihood that these locations are will attract less than desirable patrons and criminal elements on par with licensed liquor sales locations. Marijuana and cash on the premise will attract the criminal element, and any business owner not currently preparing for this reality is already a step behind. I encourage you to find every legal way to stay in compliance with state mandates.
2018 is right around the corner, cannapreneurs should begin in earnest the process of selecting, vetting, and hiring security professionals who are knowledgeable in the cannabis space. Security guards to assist them in the development of practical, physical, transportation and storage security options. Your operating budget should have a line item set aside for “security operations” as this will, in short, order become the lifeline of your business. Ensure that you are selecting a reputable, licensed and insured security company in the State of California, who is authorized by the State of California, through PPO issuance to perform armed security, transport, and guard services.
If you would like information on how Project 7 Security Group can onboard you into our security operations by protecting your bottom line, feel free to call us at (800) 560-3103 or email: wp@project7securitygroup.com.
www.project7securitygroup.com
Project 7 Security Group is a licensed California BSIS PPO Corporation under license #119834.
