Missouri Announces Final Medical Marijuana Security Regulations

By David Strickland, Vice President of Kenton Brothers.

Subscribe to our newsletterThe Missouri Department of Health and Senior services has announced its final regulations for medical cannabis in the State of Missouri. This regulation is titled 19 CSR 30-95.040 Medical Marijuana Facilities Generally. The final regulation was published on June24, 2019.

Included in these regulations is an extensive and detailed security requirement. Many of these regulations were taken from others states including Colorado and Oregon. Our staff has studied these regulations… and I’ve included some very important things to know. We’ll provide updates as things evolve in Missouri. Click here or on the icon to receive updates on Missouri regulations and industry news.

For this article we will point out the specifics around the physical security and the security management portions of the regulation. There’s a detailed inventory management and sales record requirements section in the regulation that we will not cover in this article. However, there should be special attention given to this section.

The state regulations reads:

1. Facilities shall install and maintain security equipment designed to prevent unauthorized entrance into limited access areas and to prevent diversion and inversion of medical marijuana including:

A. Devices or a series of devices to detect unauthorized intrusion, which may include a signal system interconnected with a radio frequency method, such as cellular or private radio signals, or other mechanical or electronic devices;

B. Except in the case of outdoor cultivation, exterior lighting to facilitate surveillance, which shall cover the exterior and perimeter of the facility;

C. Electronic video monitoring, including—

(I) At least one (1) call-up monitor that is nineteen (19) inches or more;

(II) A printer capable of immediately producing a clear still photo from any video camera image;

(III) Video cameras with a recording resolution of at least 1920 x 1080, or the equivalent, at a rate of at least fifteen (15) frames per second, that operate in such a way as to allow identification of people and activities in the monitored space, in all lighting levels, that are capable of being accessed remotely by the department or a law enforcement agency in real time upon request, and that provide coverage of—

(a) All entrances and exits of the facility, including windows, and all entrances and exits from limited access areas;

(b) The perimeter and exterior areas of the facility, including at least twenty (20) feet of space around the perimeter of an outdoor grow area;

(c) Each point-of-sale location;

(d) All vaults or safes; and

(e) All medical marijuana, from at least two (2) angles, where it is cultivated, cured, trimmed, processed, rendered unusable, and disposed;

(IV) A method for storing recordings from the video cameras for at sixty (60) days in a secure on-site or off-site location or through a service or network that provides on-demand access to the recordings and that allows for providing copies of the recordings to the department upon request and at the expense of the facility;

(V) A failure notification system that provides an audible and visual notification of any failure in the electronic monitoring system; and

(VI) Sufficient battery backup for video cameras and recording equipment to support at least sixty (60) minutes of recording in the event of a power outage;

D. Controlled entry to limited access areas, which shall be controlled by electronic card access systems, biometric identification systems, or other equivalent means, except that, in addition to these means, all external access doors shall be equipped with a locking mechanism that may be used in case of power failure. Access information shall be recorded, and all records of entry shall be maintained for at least one (1) year;

E. A method of immediate, automatic notification to alert local law enforcement agencies of an unauthorized breach of security at the facility; and

F. Manual, silent alarms at each point-of-sale, reception area, vault, and electronic monitoring station with capability of alerting local law enforcement agencies immediately of an unauthorized breach of security at the facility.

2. Facilities shall establish policies and procedures:

Medical CannabisA. For restricting access to the areas of the facility that contain medical marijuana to only persons authorized to be in those areas, which shall include, when necessary for business purposes, contractors hired for no more than fourteen (14) days and other visitors, all of which may enter the restricted area if they sign in and sign out of a visitor log and are escorted at all times by facility agents in a ratio of no less than one (1) facility agent per five (5) visitors;

B. For identifying persons authorized to be in the areas of the facility that contain medical marijuana;

C. For identifying facility agents responsible for inventory control activities;

D. For limiting the amount of money available in any retail areas of the facility and for notifying the public that there is a minimal amount of money available, including by posting of a sign;

E. For electronic monitoring;

F. For the use of the automatic or electronic notification and manual, silent alarms to alert local law enforcement agencies of an unauthorized breach of security at the facility, including designation of on-call facility personnel to respond to, and to be available to law enforcement personnel who respond to, any alarms; and

G. For keeping local law enforcement updated on whether the facility employs armed security personnel and how law enforcement can identify such personnel on sight.

 3. Facilities with outdoor cultivation shall construct an exterior barrier around the perimeter of the marijuana cultivation area that consists of a fence that is:

A. Constructed of six (6) gauge metal or stronger chain link;

B. Topped with razor wire or similar security wire;

C. At least eight (8) feet in height; and

D. Screened such that the cultivation area is not easily viewed from outside the fence;

4. Facilities with windows in a limited access area must ensure either that the window cannot be opened and is designed to prevent intrusion or that the window is otherwise inaccessible from the outside.

5. Facilities shall ensure that each video camera used pursuant to this section: A. Includes a date and time generator which possesses the capability to accurately display the date and time of recorded events on the recording in a manner that does not significantly obstruct the recorded view; and

A. Is installed in a manner that will prevent the video camera from being readily obstructed, tampered with, or disabled;

6. A facility shall make a reasonable effort to repair any malfunction of security equipment within seventy-two (72) hours after the malfunction is discovered. A facility shall notify the department within twenty-four (24) hours after a malfunction is discovered and provide a plan of correction.

A. If a video camera used pursuant this section malfunctions, the facility shall immediately provide alternative video camera coverage or use other security measures until video camera coverage can be restored, such as assigning additional supervisory or security personnel, to provide for the security of the facility. If the facility uses other security measures, the facility must immediately notify the department, and the department will determine whether the other security measures are adequate and for what amount of time those other security measures will be acceptable.

B. Each facility shall maintain a log that documents each malfunction and repair of the security equipment of the facility. The log must state the date, time, and nature of each malfunction; the efforts taken to repair the malfunction and the date of each effort; the reason for any delay in repairing the malfunction; the date the malfunction is repaired and; if applicable, any alternative security measures that were taken. The log must also list, by date and time, all communications with the department concerning each malfunction and corrective action. The facility shall maintain the log for at least one (1) year after the date of last entry in the log;

7. Each facility shall employ a security manager who shall be responsible for:

A. Conducting a semiannual audit of security measures to ensure compliance with this subsection and to identify potential security issues;

B. Training employees on security measures, emergency response, and theft prevention and response within one (1) week of hiring and on an annual basis;

C. Evaluating the credentials of any contractors who intend to provide services to the facility before the contractor is hired by or enters into a contract with the facility; and

D. Evaluating the credentials of any third party who intends to provide security to the facility before the third party is hired by or enters into a contract with the facility;

8. Each facility shall ensure that the security manager of the facility, any facility agents who provide security for the facility, and the employees of any third party who provides security to the facility have completed the following training:

A. Training in theft prevention or a related subject;

B. Training in emergency response or a related subject;

C. Training in the appropriate use of force or a related subject that covers when the use of force is and is not necessary;

D. Training in the protection of a crime scene or a related subject;

E. Training in the control of access to protected areas of a facility or a related subject;

F. Not less than eight (8) hours of training at the facility in providing security services;

G. Not less than eight (8) hours of classroom training in providing security services.

Key Points and Takeaways!

  • The facility must have ample lighting throughout the facility for video surveillance.
  • All crop must be under surveillance from two angles at all times.
  • All exterior grown crop must be lit for surveillance.
  • All video surveillance must be kept for sixty days and be accessible on demand remotely by the state and law enforcement.
  • All security devices must have a battery backup of at least 60 minutes.
  • Biometrics or equivalent must be used for access control.
  • All locations must have a silent duress alarm that automatically notifies law enforcement of unauthorized breach.
  • All windows must have preventative measures installed to keep windows from being opened from the outside.
  • Any malfunctions in the security equipment must be remedied within 72 hours and law enforcement must be notified within 24 hours of any malfunctions.
  • The regulation requires immediate remedy to any video surveillance malfunctions and must notify the state and the state will determine if production may continue or be shut down until remedied.
  • Each facility must employ a security manager.
  • Perimeter fencing with or a wall must be constructed around grow sites.

Kenton Brothers Inc. can help create your security plan and provide the knowledge, experience and resources to design and integrate a fully compliant system and help keep it up and running to keep you up and running.

Hospital & Healthcare Security Systems: A Healthy Approach to Security & Beyond

Medical Security Solutions

Healthcare security systems involve far more than basic security products. These systems, when integrated with logical, comprehensive solutions and technology, keep a hospital or facility’s people and assets safe. When everything is secure, a hospital can confidently move forward in achieving its real mission: providing patients the best possible care in the safest environment possible.

Security as a Means to Protect Patients and Staff

Unified Access Control

Unified access control allows you to assign levels of facility and area access based on staff function. Paired with video surveillance, it allows for active medical facility monitoring and recording activity, as well as global and departmental lockdown capabilities. Integrating access control and video provides centralized control for easy administration and management.

IP Video Surveillance

Take advantage of your existing network by connecting IP video surveillance to it. Strategic installation offers a clear view of patients and facilities. Surveillance signage can deter unsafe and would-be criminal acts. Captured images can be used as evidence and to identify individuals.

Staff Security & Protection

Staff’s badges can be equipped with wireless call functionality. Paired with wall-mounted devices, staff can discreetly summon help over your wireless network or current Wi-Fi. With an active-RFID, RTLS badge, staff members press or pull it when they need assistance or are facing a threatening situation. RFID technology detects their specific location, so responders can arrive quickly.

Intrusion Detection Systems

Your healthcare facility’s needs and layout determine recommendations for the latest options in intrusion detection. Many options, ranging from minimum to maximum solutions, are available to fit staff and patient needs.

Emergency Notification Devices

Quickly and concisely guide people out of harm’s way whether they’re inside your hospital or on the grounds or parking areas. Incidents are triggered via buttons, consoles, panels and inputs. Designate notification channels. Then, provide emergency directions through communication systems, such as media displays, phone, text, PA systems and more.

Wandering, Elopement and Fall Detection

Track patients or residents with technology features that give them a better quality of care, give families and staff peace of mind, and allow your operations to flow more smoothly. Once sensors and tags are in place and the detection system is deployed, users receive an alert and quickly respond if someone wanders, strays or falls to improve care and minimize risk.

Infant Protection

Protect your most vulnerable patients and give staff and new parents peace of mind. Through comfortable tags with tamper alarms and integration with infrastructure, such as access control systems, door locking systems and security cameras, staff can protect infants and focus on their care.

Security as a Means to Create the Safest Healthcare Environment Possible

Asset & Equipment Management

Mark mobile medical equipment with asset tags, which seamlessly communicate with existing systems to provide exact location and condition. In addition to controlling inventory, medical staff can quickly locate then access critical medical equipment, speeding up workflow and delivering better overall patient care.

Environmental Monitoring

Meet compliance standards and prevent product loss with environmental monitoring. Record and track temperature and condition data of mission-critical medicines, vaccines, blood and lab samples to ensure all are safe and ready for patient use. Save time and money by eliminating the need for manual reporting and recording data remotely.

Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI)

Prevent terrorists from obtaining materials that can be used in radiological attacks by implementing security requirements established in the GTRI framework of convert, remove and protect. Hospitals support the initiative with remote monitoring, access control systems, alerting local law enforcement of an event, disposing properly of unused radiological and nuclear materials, and protecting radiology and nuclear medicine equipment still in use.

When it comes to hospital security systems, there are many factors to consider – from the type and size of your facility and the type of medical inventory to the people who work and visit there every day. The goal is to secure people and assets from every imaginable internal and external threat. Yet, unless regulations, your equipment or your surrounding community dictates it, you want your hospital secure, yet a welcoming space where your staff can carry out your true mission, caring for patients in a safe environment.

Schedule your hospital security systems consultation by calling us at 816-842-3700.

The Most Effective Warehouse Security Solutions Today: Part High Tech, Part Low Tech Fundamentals

Commercial IP Video Surveillance – 2019 Technology Update [VIDEO]

Avigilon CameraBy David Strickland, Vice President of Kenton Brothers

Avigilon – Pushing the Envelope!

Avigilon has started 2019 with a bang! They announced several new offerings including the new H4 multisensor camera. Also, they’ve announced the expansion of the Appearance Search™ analytic offering and their continued refinement of their Artificial Intelligence appliance.

This video runs through several of the newest features of Avigilon hardware and software. (Look inside for the surprise introduction of Motorola products to the line!)

Kenton Brothers Inc. is proud to represent Avigilon and it’s cutting edge, always evolving technology. For a demonstration in our state-of-the-art multimedia showroom please contact us today!

Kenton Brothers Guide to Cannabis Security – Part 1

Cannabis SecuritySince the passage of medical marijuana by Missouri voters in November 2018, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has begun work to develop rules and regulations for the industry. Looking to other states, such as California and Colorado, will help policy makers in developing regulatory and safety standards. Even with these guides in place, medical marijuana may not be available for purchase until January 2020.

Timeline

While the timeline for rollout seems lengthy, this timeline can be advantageous to business owners preparing to engage in the industry. As with any business, there will be a lot of decisions to make and red tape to navigate. One significant component that should be well thought through, especially for medical marijuana and cannabis-related businesses, is security.

From cultivation to manufacturing, testing, transportation and dispensing companies, security will not only be a fundamental component to business success, it will also serve as required factor in facilitating efficient operations that help comply with regulations.

In this three-part blog series, Kenton Brothers will provide you with our layered approach to cannabis security. First, we’ll introduce you to the concept of Seed-to-Sale tracking. In following posts, we’ll help you understand how integrated systems like commercial video surveillance and access control can help you monitor interactions with product.

Seed-to-Sale Tracking: Enhancing Cannabis Security and Operational Efficiency

Following the example of other states who have already implemented medical marijuana will likely result in the implementation of “Seed to Sale” tracking regulations.

States will require growers to track plants with a unique RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. With this tag, growers will be able to quickly inventory each plant. However, the RFID tag is not only relevant to growers. This tag will create data as the plant moves through the supply chain.

Why are these RFID tags good for businesses? It creates efficiency in inventory and sales. It’s also more efficient to help you meet compliance standards. RFID tags create real-time data that can be securely backed up and stored in the cloud. It’s also extremely powerful for point-of-sale purchases. Using RFID tags can integrate with sales software to help manage inventory – making it a valuable cannabis security tool from seed to sale.

In addition to securely implementing business operations, RFID tags provide data to regulators. This helps state departments monitor things like the outputs between growers or identify food safety issues in products like infused oils and edibles.

Coming Soon

Part II – How security systems integrators like Kenton Brothers can help businesses implement unified video surveillance and access control

Part III – Security Must-Haves for Cannabis Security – vaults, parking gates, intrusion detection, ID scanning, visitor mgmt