An overview of the California Cannabis Industry
You may know that California is now the largest market for legal cannabis, especially if you’ve been following some of our previous blogs. The Cannabis Industry has impacted the California economy and culture in ways such as:
- It’s given the state tremendous spending power
- Over 1.26 million patients now use medical marijuana in California.
- Tourists spent around $98 million in canna-tourism in the first year after marijuana was legalized in California.
- There is an apparent correlation between the rise in tourism with the wide acceptance of recreational marijuana for the state.
- The state has struggled to regulate the cannabis industry, with 18% of products failing to pass new testing guidelines this year.
- Although there is a working theory for the long-term effects dispensaries have in lowering crime in communities, there are significant reports of crime in connection with legalized marijuana. However, according to a Forbes article, most of those crimes were carried out by people in areas where it’s prohibited who would view cannabis as a rare commodity.
In very recent news, the AB 97 Bill was signed into law in California, which bolsters cannabis equity programs, state enforcement against illicit cannabis operations, and “extends the provisional license program to ensure that more cannabis operators can enter the compliant cannabis marketplace while undergoing rigorous environmental review.”
This will not only allow for new cannabis businesses but the law raises the bar for cannabis business operations. Aligning with that same value, we’ve been educating our readers on the importance of effective security and surveillance in cannabis business operations.

Incidents of theft could severely diminish not just the bottom line, but the professional reputation of a cannabis business, especially when you consider the product’s rapid history– it’s public view, it’s legality, and it’s commercialization– in California in the just last 9 years.
The risk of crime within and toward cannabis dispensaries is higher than many other categories of retail. So the importance of effective surveillance cannot be overstated!
Why you need video surveillance
If you are working in this industry or considering starting a business, you need video surveillance. There are several reasons why.
Let’s start with the obvious. Having video surveillance for cannabis distributors or retailers is the law. You need video surveillance to protect your business and the state agrees. Now more than ever, dispensary compliance is strictly enforced. Aside from it being the law, the cannabis industry is a target for criminals and the likelyhood of crime occuring is higher than other businesses. You need top of the line surveillance to keep your business, products, and staff safe.
Why you want video surveillance
Because theft for any business can have devastating affects, video surveillance is still one of the most effective ways to halt or deter criminal activity. Did you know there is a greater probability of employee theft at dispensaries? Video surveillance is one of the primary ways to manage this problem. It allows you to more easily identify an employee problem while preventing other employees from being falsely accused.
What makes Sonitrol’s Video Surveillance Different
When it comes to video surveillance, we at Sonitrol believe in offering only the best of the best. The best quality, the most reliable product, and the most comprehensive. You can be anywhere in the world and still able to keep an eye on your busniess. Our internet-based digital video pairs immaculately with our audio detection system and managed access control. When the audio detection system is activated, our video surveillance immediately starts recording and capturing every detail of what is happening at your property. Additonally our Sonitrol team is watching and informing officers of every detail going on. With us, you have a full security team protecting your most valuable assets. Does your cannabis business need the best of the best security measures? You can read more about our video options here, and contact us today.