Compliance Notice
Cannabis security regulations change frequently. This guide reflects requirements as of January 2024. Always consult current state regulations and your legal counsel for the most up-to-date requirements.
The cannabis industry faces unique security challenges and strict regulatory requirements. Whether you're opening a dispensary, cultivation facility, or processing center in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, understanding and meeting security compliance requirements is essential for obtaining and maintaining your license.
Overview: Why Cannabis Security is Different
Cannabis businesses face security requirements far beyond those of typical retail or agricultural operations. These regulations exist to:
- Prevent diversion of products to the black market
- Protect high-value inventory from theft
- Ensure public safety and community acceptance
- Maintain detailed records for regulatory compliance
- Protect employees and customers from robbery attempts
New Jersey Cannabis Security Requirements
New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) has established comprehensive security requirements for all cannabis businesses. Here's what you need to know:
NJ Video Surveillance Requirements
Coverage Areas (100% Required)
- • All entrances and exits (interior and exterior)
- • All rooms with cannabis (cultivation, processing, storage)
- • Point-of-sale areas and cash registers
- • All safes, vaults, and storage areas
- • Parking lots and exterior perimeter
- • Loading/unloading areas
Technical Specifications
- • Minimum 1080p resolution (HD quality)
- • 15 frames per second minimum
- • Adequate lighting for clear footage 24/7
- • Date and time stamp on all recordings
- • Ability to produce clear still photos
Storage Requirements
90-day retention minimum for all footage
NJ Alarm System Requirements
Intrusion Detection
- • Motion detectors in all cannabis areas
- • Door and window contacts
- • Glass break sensors
- • Vault/safe protection
- • Perimeter detection systems
Panic Alarms
- • Silent panic buttons at each register
- • Duress codes for alarm system
- • Mobile panic buttons for managers
- • Direct police notification
- • Audible alarms for robbery
NJ Access Control & Physical Security
- 1Limited Access Areas: All areas containing cannabis must have restricted access with electronic access control logging all entries/exits.
- 2Visitor Management: All visitors must be logged, badged, and escorted at all times. Visitor logs retained for 5 years.
- 3Safe/Vault Requirements: All cash and high-value products must be stored in a commercial-grade safe or vault when not in use.
- 4Exterior Security: Commercial-grade locks, security lighting, and opaque windows to prevent product visibility from outside.
Pennsylvania Cannabis Security Requirements
Pennsylvania's Department of Health oversees medical marijuana regulations with equally stringent but somewhat different requirements:
PA Video Surveillance Requirements
Key Differences from NJ
- • Fixed cameras required (no PTZ as primary)
- • Facial recognition capability at 20 feet
- • Ability to export footage in standard format
- • Backup power for 4 hours minimum
- • Off-site backup storage required
Critical PA Requirement
4-YEAR retention requirement for all footage (vs. 90 days in NJ)
PA Alarm System Requirements
Professional Monitoring
Must use a DEA-registered monitoring company with ability to dispatch law enforcement within 5 minutes of alarm activation.
System Features
Automatic voice dialer, failure notification systems, and ability to remain operational during power outages for minimum 4 hours.
Testing Requirements
Annual professional inspection required with documentation retained for Department of Health review.
Common Compliance Pitfalls to Avoid
Based on enforcement actions and failed inspections, here are the most common mistakes cannabis businesses make:
Camera Blind Spots
Inspectors use floor plans to identify blind spots. Every square foot of cannabis areas must be visible. Use overlapping coverage and test with actual walkthrough videos.
Retention Failures
Running out of storage space is not an acceptable excuse. Plan for 2x the required storage to handle high-activity periods and ensure redundancy.
Quality Issues
"Potato quality" video won't pass inspection. Test facial recognition and license plate readability at required distances in all lighting conditions.
Access Control Gaps
Propped doors, shared badges, and tailgating are major violations. Every entry must be individually logged with time stamps.
Building a Compliant System: Best Practices
1. Start with Professional Design
Cannabis security is too complex for DIY approaches. Work with security professionals who understand state regulations and have experience with successful cannabis installations.
Design Considerations
- • Create detailed floor plans with camera placements
- • Calculate storage needs based on camera count and quality
- • Plan for future expansion and additional cameras
- • Include redundancy for critical systems
- • Design with inspection requirements in mind
2. Choose the Right Equipment
Cameras
- • Minimum 4MP resolution
- • True day/night capability
- • Wide dynamic range
- • Vandal-resistant housing
- • Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Storage
- • Enterprise-grade NVR
- • RAID configuration
- • Hot-swappable drives
- • Automated health monitoring
- • Cloud backup capability
3. Plan for Inspections
State inspectors will thoroughly test your security system. Be prepared:
Inspection Checklist
- ☐ All cameras operational and recording
- ☐ Video quality meets standards
- ☐ Full coverage verification
- ☐ Retention period compliance
- ☐ Export functionality works
- ☐ Alarm system tests properly
- ☐ Access logs are complete
- ☐ Panic buttons functional
- ☐ Monitoring certificates current
- ☐ Staff training documented
Cost Considerations
Cannabis security systems represent a significant investment. Here's what to budget:
| Facility Type | Typical Camera Count | Equipment Cost Range | Installation Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dispensary (2,500 sq ft) | 25-40 cameras | $15,000-$30,000 | $8,000-$15,000 |
| Cultivation (10,000 sq ft) | 60-100 cameras | $40,000-$75,000 | $20,000-$35,000 |
| Processing Facility | 40-70 cameras | $25,000-$50,000 | $15,000-$25,000 |
Don't Forget Ongoing Costs
- • Monthly monitoring: $100-$300
- • Annual maintenance: $2,000-$5,000
- • Storage expansion: $1,000-$3,000/year
- • Compliance updates: Variable
Staying Compliant Long-Term
Getting licensed is just the beginning. Maintaining compliance requires ongoing attention:
Regular System Audits
Monthly reviews of camera coverage, video quality, and retention compliance. Document all findings and corrective actions.
Stay Current with Regulations
Subscribe to state agency updates and industry newsletters. Regulations change frequently, and ignorance is not a defense.
Maintain Vendor Relationships
Keep service contracts current and maintain relationships with vendors who understand cannabis compliance requirements.
Need Cannabis Security Compliance Help?
Security Dynamics specializes in compliant cannabis security systems for New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We understand the unique requirements and have successfully installed systems that pass state inspections on the first attempt.
Don't risk your license with inadequate security. Contact us for a compliance consultation and detailed system design that meets all state requirements.