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What are the New York Cannabis Dispensary Security Plan Requirements?
New York cannabis dispensary security plan requirements explained. Learn what your written plan must include, 24/ 7 camera standards, alarm system obligations, access control rules, incident reporting requirements, and violations that can trigger fines, inspection failures, or license suspension.
What Your Security Plan Must Include
Your written security plan must:
- Be formally approved by the licensee
- Address theft, diversion, loss, and emergency risks
- Define staff roles and reporting responsibilities
- Explain how cannabis, cash, and restricted areas are secured
- Be updated whenever operations change
Material changes that require updates include:
- Staffing changes
- Store layout modifications
- New equipment or surveillance systems
- Access control changes
If the written plan does not match real operations, it is a violation.
Video Surveillance Requirements
Continuous video monitoring is required.
You must have 24/7 coverage of:
- All areas where cannabis is stored
- All areas where cannabis is handled or sold
- All cash-handling areas
- All entrances and exits
Footage must:
- Record continuously
- Be retained for at least 30 days
- Be stored securely
- Be accessible during inspections
- Show clear, unobstructed views
Blind spots are not permitted.
Alarm System Requirements
You must maintain a functioning alarm system.
Alarm coverage must include:
- Store perimeter
- Cannabis storage areas
- Cash storage areas
- Product access points
The alarm system must:
- Detect intrusion and tampering
- Detect unauthorized access
- Be monitored or capable of real-time alerting
Every alarm activation must generate an incident log entry documenting:
- Date and time
- Staff response
- Resolution
Unlogged alarm activations are compliance failures.
Access Control Rules
Access to secure areas must be restricted.
Only trained, authorized employees may enter cannabis storage or back-of-house areas.
Acceptable access control methods include:
- Key systems with logging
- Badge access systems
- PIN-based entry systems
- Biometric controls
Your system must log:
- Who entered
- When they entered
- When they exited
Customers may never access storage or restricted areas.
Secure Cannabis Storage Requirements
Cannabis must be stored in locked, compliant areas.
Storage must:
- Be located in restricted-access rooms or safes
- Be limited to licensed employees
- Protect against theft, diversion, and contamination
- Be aligned with your approved security plan
All storage activity must align with inventory tracking requirements.
Incident Reporting Obligations
All security incidents must be logged immediately.
Incidents include:
- Theft or diversion
- Break-ins or attempted break-ins
- Alarm activations
- Equipment failures affecting compliance
- Inventory discrepancies
Each incident log must include:
- Date and time
- Individuals involved
- Description of the event
- Corrective action taken
If reporting thresholds are exceeded, OCM must be notified.
Inventory discrepancies must also be reconciled in METRC.
What Inspectors Look For
During inspections, OCM may:
- Review your written security plan
- Check camera placement and footage quality
- Test alarm functionality
- Review access logs
- Compare incident logs to video records
Security systems must match your approved plan and actual operations.
Why This Matters
Security violations can result in:
- Fines
- License conditions
- Mandatory corrective action plans
- Increased inspection frequency
- Suspension or revocation
Your security plan is not paperwork.
It is how OCM measures whether your store is under control.
Go Here Next
- Dispensary Operations
- Inspections & Audit Preparation
- Security Systems and Monitoring Requirements
- Security and Storage Requirements
