OLCC Revises Rules to Relieve Problems Experienced by Business Owners

    Oregon marijuana business owners have been experiencing delays and difficulty with regulations issued by the OLCC. On Friday December 2nd the OLCC issued some temporary rules with the hopes of alleviating some of the delays businesses have been experiencing which have caused many to slow significantly in their profits and for some have resulted in laying off employees. The temporary rules include both the recreational and medicinal marijuana to lessen some of the potency testing requirements to hopefully speed up the normally very long potency testing. Many businesses are unsure whether or not the temporary rules will help but one thing they are sure of is that they want to get everything back up and running smoothly.

One way to ensure that the rest of the business is running smoothly is to ensure that your security system is up and running, and in compliance with the OLCC regulations. The OLCC now requires that every marijuana business has 90 days of off site video surveillance storage and that every entrance and exit of your facility is under video surveillance. These requirements can be tough to figure out on your own which is why we recommend finding some help to make the process easier. Once your facility is within regulation for security, find video monitoring that will make your life easier, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

With all the delays in business the easiest way to make sure that everything else is running within state regulations is to make sure you contact someone who can help you keep your security requirements up to date. Business may be delayed and there is not much that can be done to help that but at least your product, employees, and facility will be safe and secure.

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Historic November 2016 Election Brings Marijuana to Entire West Coast

The November 2016 election brought California, Nevada, and Massachusetts to the group of states that have legalized recreational marijuana. California’s vote to legalize the use and sale of recreational marijuana means that now the entire West Coast has joined together in legalizing marijuana for recreational use. California’s large population should bring some momentum to the induslegalmarijuananowlogotry opening it to such a largely populated state.

Florida, North Dakota, and Arkansas also voted to approve medical marijuana measures, with Montana voting to ease some of the highly restricted medical marijuana measures that are already in place.

Advocates for legalization of marijuana are thrilled with the progress the West Coast has made in the last few years, while there are some that are disappointed and worried about what this could mean for their state. Among those that are disappointed are law enforcement groups and anti-drug campaigns who think that legalization will mean danger for children, driving, and an industry whose main purpose is to sell an unhealthy drug to citizens. Law enforcement in California has pledged to work with lawmakers to create a driving under the influence policy that will most likely be similar to that of alcohol. Marijuana in California will also be highly restricted and taxed, like alcohol but will also not be allowed in most public places.

california-postcard

With the entire West Coast now legalizing recreational marijuana use the industry can grow and develop significantly within the next year. Massachusetts joining the group brings potential for the East Coast to grow in the industry will also be big this year. The hope for many is that the Federal government will eventually legalize marijuana on the federal level making it easier for new and existing companies to open bank accounts, take credit cards, and act as any other legitimate business.

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A Very Busy Oregon Liquor Control Commission

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has been busy checking out each of the applications for marijuana licenses. While they have given out around 200 licenses they have received over 1300 applications and counting. Each inspector goes to 2 or 3 sites each day to ensure that they are up to compliance before giving them approval for their license. One of the big items on the inspection checklist is your security system. So how do you know if your security system will meet regulations?

  • The first thing to do is make sure that you read up on requirements before deciding on what system will be the best for you.
  • Find a business with experience to help you through the process.
  • Plan ahead to get your security system and video surveillance up and running before your inspection.
    • This will ensure that you have time to get to know your system and how it will benefit your business.
  • Price out your options and find a deal specific to your industry if you can.

Since there are so many applicants that the OLCC has to inspect, if you fail any part of your inspection it could be weeks or months more of waiting and money not being made. Since security and surveillance systems are some of the most regulated items on the checklist to get licensed, it should be one of the first things you plan for.

Some other things that the OLCC has to research before they can approve applications are:

  • Financial Information
  • Extensive Background Checks
  • Ownership Setups
  • Site Plans

With all of these requirements to look into the OLCC estimates it can take anywhere from 45-60 days to investigate each applicant. So get your ducks in a row before you finish your application, be prepared for extensive background and financial checks, and get the security system that works most efficiently for your facility.

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Armed Robbery of Seattle Dispensary FOILED by Remote Viewing of Security Cameras

Video Surveillance is essential to your business and now with OLCC requirements to have every entrance and exit of your site under surveillance your product is safer than ever. Just last Sunday night a marijuana store in Seattle was robbed by two masked men who then held the employees at gunpoint while they ransacked the store.

Thankfully, the store had remote video surveillance and an employee working from home was keeping watch on the cameras. When he saw the robbers enter the store and hold the employees up at gunpoint he called the police immediately. The police were able to find out exactly what was happening with the robbers because of the cameras all over the store. They arrested the robbers right as they left the store and none of the employees were physically injured. If the employee who called the police had not been monitoring the cameras the police may not have caught the robbers and the employees could be at risk again. If the police had not caught and arrested the robbers the video surveillance could still have assisted them in finding the perpetrators. Regulations are in place to help cannabis business owners and this is just a time when it paid off to have offsite monitoring.

If you want more information about this incident or to watch the footage check it out here.

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