The cannabis industry in Minnesota is new, highly regulated, and unfortunately, highly targeted. From dispensaries and cultivation facilities to processing and storage sites, every operator must meet strict security requirements to stay licensed and keep their people, cash, and product safe.
At Wellington Security Systems, we help cannabis businesses across the Twin Cities design, install, and maintain state-compliant security solutions that deliver peace of mind from day one.
Cannabis Regulations
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342 states that a cannabis business “must maintain and follow a security plan to deter and prevent the theft or diversion of cannabis plants…unauthorized entry…and the theft of currency.”
Regarding retail sales, Section 342.27 requires cannabis retail businesses to “maintain compliance with security requirements established by the office, including…video surveillance records, using specific locking mechanisms, establishing secure entries, and the number of employees working at all times.”
Beyond just having a security system, regulations also specify what that system must include, and what happens if your system goes down.
Section 9810.1500 says that your system must include:
- An alarm system
- Video surveillance
- Access Control
- Video Server Requirements
- Lighting
- Locks
- An immediate response protocol that must be initiated within 30 minutes after a security event occurs
Beyond the response protocol, you need to have a rock-solid plan in place to handle an outage.
Testing, Maintenance, and the Cost of Noncompliance
Subpart 3 of the regulations says that “a cannabis business must establish a protocol for testing and maintaining security measures required by this part. The protocol for testing and maintaining security measures must include:
- Periodic testing and inspection that occurs at least once every 90 days. A cannabis business may fulfill this requirement by contracting with an outside resource capable of meeting testing and inspection needs, such as a security business; and
- Prompt repairs as described in this subitem to ensure that the alarm system works properly.
- A cannabis business must complete all repairs of an alarm system within 72 hours after the alarm system’s failure. If a business is not able to complete a repair within 72 hours after the alarm system’s failure and the alarm system is not able to operate as required by this chapter and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342, then the business must cease all operations until repairs have been completed.
In case you missed it, if your alarm system goes down for any reason and you ignore it or are unable to fix it within 72 hours, you can not run your business until it’s fixed. Now imagine you purchased a security system online or from a company out of state. Your alarm goes down and someone can’t get there to look at it for a full week.
You then have two options: close the doors or contact the MN Office of Cannabis Management to request an extension. Which means more paperwork for you and hoping they’ll grant your request.
This is why it’s so critical for cannabis businesses to work with a responsive, local security company, like Wellington Security. We take pride in our ability to not only create and install streamlined security solutions for highly regulated industries, but we’re there when our customers need us. Being local means our response times are fast so you’re not left stranded. When you work with us, you’re working with a company based in the Twin Cities area; one that understands that leaving you without a functioning security system is not an option.
We expertly design, install, and service your system, so you can focus on running your business and we will handle keeping it safe, secure and compliant.
Why the Cannabis Industry Requires So Much Security
The cannabis industry is uniquely high risk and requires a lot of security, more than most other types of retail or manufacturing businesses.
Here’s why:
- It’s highly regulated. As you can see above, every state that allows cannabis sales, including Minnesota, sets detailed security requirements for licensing. That means surveillance cameras in every room, 24/7 video storage, alarm systems, controlled access to restricted areas, and detailed audit logs. Businesses must prove compliance before they can even open.
- It’s cash-heavy. Because cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, many financial institutions won’t work with dispensaries. That forces operators to handle large amounts of cash, which increases the risk of theft and robbery.
- The product is high-value and easy to resell. Cannabis is small, valuable, and in demand, making it a target for break-ins, burglaries, or employee theft. Strong intrusion detection and access control systems are essential to protect inventory.
- Inspections and audits are routine. Regulators frequently check that facilities remain compliant with security rules. If a system isn’t recording properly or access logs aren’t maintained, it can put the business’s license at risk.
- Employees and customers need to feel safe and secure at all times. Security also protects employees, ensures safe operations, and gives customers confidence that the business is legitimate and responsible.
Staying Ahead of Compliance and Security Risks with Cannabis Security Systems
MN Statues state that “a cannabis business must maintain records of the business’s compliance with the protocols for testing and maintaining security measures. A cannabis business must make the compliance records available for inspection by the office upon request.”
And if your security system goes down, you need to get it up and running again as fast as possible, or you risk having to shut down until it’s repaired and online again. With frequent audits and your license on the line, you can’t afford to miss a step in your security protocol.
That’s where we come in. Wellington Security’s experienced team works with you from the very beginning, helping you understand Minnesota’s security requirements, then we design customized, compliant systems, and provide ongoing monitoring and support to ensure you stay audit-ready long after opening day.
Wellington Security’s Cannabis Security Solutions
Whether you’re opening your first dispensary or expanding your cultivation operation, let us help design an end-to-end system tailored to your facility’s needs and state requirements.
Here are the five most important pieces of any security system.
- Access Control Systems: Control who enters restricted areas and maintain detailed, audit-ready logs of all activity.
- Video Surveillance: Our high-definition cameras, AI-enabled alerts, and secure storage meet state retention requirements, keeping you compliant and protected 24/7.
- Intrusion Alarms: Safeguard cash, product, and equipment with systems that detect unauthorized entry and respond instantly.
- Monitoring and Support: Our local technicians and live service team are available whenever you need them, because security shouldn’t come with long hold times or out-of-state service calls.
- Fire and Life Safety: NICET-certified design, inspection, and monitoring ensure your facility meets Minnesota’s fire safety codes.
Why Cannabis Businesses Choose Wellington Security
We have extensive experience working with highly regulated industries and other businesses with high security needs. And when you work with Wellington Security, you can rest assured that the system we design will secure your business, keep your employees and customers safe, and keep you within compliance.
Regulatory Compliance
Minnesota law outlines strict standards for cannabis security, covering everything from camera placement and access control to system uptime and data storage. Wellington Security’s experts know the code inside and out and design systems that help you pass inspection the first time.
Fast Response Times
Being local, we can be there when you need us. We understand the risks of not being noncompliant, so we make sure our skilled technicians have the know-how and are equipped to get you up and running again fast.
End-to-End Protection
From detection and intrusion alarms to monitoring and maintenance, we deliver complete protection under one roof. And instead of having a bunch of different apps and sites to manage, we build systems that all work together and can be easily managed by one centralized app.
Local Expertise, Real Support
When regulators or inspectors show up, you don’t want a vendor three states away. We’re Minnesota-based, responsive, and committed to your success.
Experience in High-Risk Environments
We’ve secured financial services, pharmaceutical manufacturers, food processors, and other highly regulated facilities. That same expertise keeps your cannabis business protected and compliant.
Don’t let security missteps put your license at risk. We’ll walk you through the process, from design to ongoing support, so you can focus on your business, not stressing about compliance.
Let’s secure your dispensary or grow facility before the inspectors arrive. Call us at 612.822.4094, or contact us today.
Wellington Security Systems is a trusted commercial security systems partner serving customers in and around the Twin Cities metro for over 40 years, specializing in burglary systems, access control, surveillance cameras, and fire alarms. For more information or a free security audit for your business, contact us today.