Vermont Marijuana Security Requirements
Vermont marijuana laws include the legalization of the state’s compassionate care medical marijuana program in 2004.
In 2018, a state law was passed to allow adult personal possession of marijuana in limited amounts without penalties for possession.
At this time, Vermont does not permit the legal sales of marijuana outside registered medical marijuana program patients.
The Vermont cannabis regulations and rules governing security of Vermont’s medical marijuana program are defined in 18 V.S.A. Chapter 86, Therapeutic Use of Cannabis are summarized below.
Vermont Marijuana Dispensary Security
Vermont marijuana dispensaries may acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, transfer, transport, supply, sell, and/or dispense marijuana, marijuana-infused products, hemp, and/or hemp-infused products to registered patients or caregivers to be used for symptom relief.
Criterion 3 of the Vermont application to register a medical marijuana dispensary covers aspects of providing safe and secure communities.
The applicant must provide plans, policies and procedures for record keeping, inventory, quality control, and security to deter and prevent unauthorized access and theft for the proposed dispensary location(s).
Specifically, the applicant’s security plan must show meet the minimum requirements to deter and prevent unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana and theft of marijuana, including a retention policy for electronic and video monitoring for each location.
Vermont Dispensary Security Requirements
Registered dispensaries must implement appropriate security measures to deter and prevent unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana and the theft of marijuana. These security safeguards must include at a minimum:
- Exterior lighting sufficient to deter nuisance activity and facilitate surveillance, while not disturbing neighbors;
- Preventing trees, bushes and other foliage outside of a registered dispensary location to grow to such an extent that would affect the functionality of security measures;
- Installation and use of devices or a series of devices, including, but not limited to, a signal system interconnected with a radio frequency method such as cellular, private radio signals, or other mechanical or electronic device to detect an unauthorized intrusion;
- An operational security alarm system and video surveillance at each registered location; and
- Fencing or other type of barrier to prevent unauthorized entrance into cultivation areas and to reasonably prevent visibility to the public.
Vermont Dispensary Alarm System
A Vermont Registered Dispensary must maintain an operational security alarm system with an immediate automatic electronic notification system, connected to an outside security provider that professionally monitors for unauthorized entry and robbery events.
The operational alarm system shall at a minimum have an access control, alerting equipment, a control panel, fire sensors, panic buttons, and perimeter sensors to deter and prevent against unauthorized entry and theft of marijuana.
The alarm system must allow “opening” and “closing” notifications to be transmitted to the outside security provider. This feature will alert the security provider every time the alarm system is turned “on” or “off”.
The alarm system and all of its components must be tested professionally at least once a year.
The alarm system must transmit an automatic daily scheduled test to the outside security provider to ensure that the alarm system and telephone lines are operational.
Cellular reporting backup and line seizure functionality must be integrated into the alarm system.
In the case of repairs on the alarm system, these must be performed in a reasonable amount of time to ensure that the alarm system is operating properly.
After any major electrical storm or significant power outage, the alarm system must be tested.
All testing must be documented and include at a minimum, testing date, summary of activity performed, any items that required corrective action, and name of the person performing the testing.
Any items requiring corrective actions must be performed in a reasonable amount of time and documented.
Documentation of corrective actions must include at least the following: the reason for repair, date of repair, name of the person performing the repair, and summary of repair activity.
Automatic daily testing is not required to be documented but any corrective action required as a result of the daily testing must be documented.
The registered dispensary must have documentation describing the automatic daily testing process.
Vermont Marijuana Video Surveillance
Each registered location must have an operational video surveillance system. Video surveillance must monitor customer service areas, cultivation areas, entry and egress areas, and any other areas at the registered location containing marijuana, including processing and packing areas. Video footage must be recorded and stored digitally for 30 days.
The authorizing Department must be provided remote access to the video surveillance at each registered dispensary location to assist with investigations related to any reported incidents, suspected illegal activity, or other violations of these rules, through a secure connection provided by the registered dispensaries.
Vermont Dispensary Access Control
Only registered dispensary cardholders acting in his or her official capacity may access a registered dispensary cultivation or processing location, except for circumstances provided for within the rules.
All cultivation of marijuana must take place in a secure indoor facility. All registered dispensaries conducting dispensing appointments in the same facility as cultivation and/or processing must secure the cultivation and/or processing area(s) from the dispensing area of the facility with a lock or other security device in addition to all other security measures required by these rules.
Secure Marijuana Transportation in Vermont
A registered dispensary electing to deliver cannabis to registered patients and caregivers must submit their proposed delivery procedures for review to the Department.
A Registered Dispensary electing to deliver to registered patients and caregivers must develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure employee safety and to provide security sufficient to prevent loss of inventory, theft, and diversion for the dispensing, delivery, and storage of cannabis.
Cannabis and cannabis-infused products being delivered must be placed in a secure locked container.
Vermont Marijuana Security Services
Our Vermont cannabis license and security consultants are standing by to ensure your Vermont Safety and Security Plan meets all standards and requirements set out by the state.
We will ensure your Vermont marijuana dispensary, cultivation, processing, and transportation remains in compliance to allow your visitors, registered patients, caregivers, company employees, and the larger community feel a sense of ease.
Contact us today for a consultation. With our vast experience, we look forward to meeting your Vermont marijuana security needs.