Page 12 - Security Today, October 2017

INDUSTRY
Cannabis Cash How do you secure your place in the weed business?
VERTICAL
With Todd Kleperis
Where is all the money in the marijuana business going? Who is moving the cash or product as it seems to be in the news all the time? Here we share why it’s impor- tant to your business that you know how
this is all happening.
Over the last two years, Hardcar Security has grown to more
than 20 clients and numerous awards for providing armored truck services to the cannabis market place in California. Why California and cannabis? California alone is slotted at becoming the United States’ largest market by far, at a projected $3 billion within the next five years. Other areas in the United States, such as Colorado, may have been open earlier but no market will come close to the size of California. So whether you are an A/C com- pany, security installation firm, plumber or electrician, you are going to want to know more about this space.
Armoring the Weed
Why armored? “Bad things happen at bad times from bad peo- ple,” is a quote from an admiral in Malaysia named Admiral Aziz. It has been around even until today and describes the need for armor perfectly. We chose this armored product because the
product can be insured and our employees, who are mostly veter- ans of all U.S. military branches, won’t come home full of bullets. Hardcar has lobbied and tried with the state a number of times and will continue to push for armored in our space.
Currently, under the existing laws, only the product needs to be locked in a box in the back of a vehicle. This minimum state regulation keeps product safe but not the people carrying or de- livering it. Companies use trucks that are able to conceal the fact they are armored. From SUVs to vans, most people would have no idea that the truck next to them was carrying millions in can- nabis products or cash.
One lesson learned is that protocol and procedure tops all else when dealing with the California Highway Patrol. The CHP has done a fantastic job in recognizing how quickly this market is evolving and has been quick to train officers know the need for up-to-date documentation while the product is in transit.
For instance, say you are transporting product in the state of California and your travel documentation is not updated with re- cent product changes. How would a CHP officer know that the product you have is not stolen or produced illegally? What if your company had a truck stolen? How would you lock it down and make sure your product and or cash are safe?
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