The legal cannabis industry in California continues to expand, but so too does the attention it receives from opportunistic criminals and increasingly watchful regulators. As dispensaries, grow operations, and distribution centers face a surge of sophisticated theft attempts from both internal and external sources, state agencies are tightening regulations.
Recent updates to California’s security regulations now require licensed cannabis operators to make substantial upgrades to their surveillance, access control, and physical security systems. For businesses already juggling compliance demands, these new standards present serious challenges that can’t be solved with outdated hardware or patchwork fixes.
To remain compliant and protect their valuable products and personnel, cannabis businesses must adapt quickly. The updates focus heavily on three primary areas: video surveillance, controlled access, and on-site physical security. Each carries new expectations that demand attention to detail, planning, and, in many cases, significant upgrades.
24/7 High-Resolution Video Surveillance
Under the new rules, all cannabis facilities must maintain 24/7 high-definition video surveillance across every operational space. This includes entrances, exits, storage rooms, retail floors, and limited-access zones. Essentially, this means any area where cannabis products are handled or stored needs consistent monitoring.
The cameras themselves must meet a minimum resolution of 1280×720 pixels, ensuring that footage is clear enough to identify individuals and monitor sensitive activities. This footage must be stored securely for at least 90 days and be immediately retrievable by Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) officials during audits or investigations.
Blind spots are no longer acceptable, so cameras must be positioned to provide full coverage of all access points, loading zones, and product-handling areas, both indoors and outdoors. These changes reflect the state’s intent to eliminate ambiguity in video surveillance and make it easier for regulators to verify compliance, even retroactively.
Enhanced Access Control
In addition to constant surveillance, facilities are now required to adopt advanced electronic access control systems. These may include biometric scanners, keycard readers, or PIN-based entry systems to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive or restricted areas. Operators must also maintain detailed digital logs that track every entry and exit which need to be accessible to inspectors on demand.
Visitors and contractors are not exempt. Anyone entering controlled zones must be recorded with a timestamp, and many facilities will need to overhaul how they manage foot traffic in areas where cannabis is weighed, processed, or stored.
These changes are especially critical for operations with high staff turnover or rotating shifts, where the potential for internal loss is more pronounced. By digitizing access control, the state aims to increase accountability and reduce risk, ensuring that every person who steps into a sensitive area leaves a traceable footprint.
Physical and Operational Security
California’s updated rules place a strong emphasis on securing the physical premises. Facilities must install police-permitted burglar alarms at all points of access and ensure that all exterior doors and windows are outfitted with commercial-grade, non-residential locks.
Additional surveillance requirements now extend to product handling activities. Every step, from weighing and processing to packaging and transportation, must be clearly captured on camera. Retail zones and point-of-sale areas must also be recorded in a way that allows for easy identification of individuals and their actions, whether staff or customers. These requirements are designed to help deter theft and provide a concrete visual record of how products are handled and by whom, a crucial factor in the event of discrepancies, loss, or a criminal investigation.
For many operators, these sweeping changes require more than a simple system upgrade. Implementing compliant security infrastructure now means designing a layered, fully integrated solution that balances operational efficiency with strict oversight. And for that, expert help is no longer optional.
That’s where Cannabis Compliant Security Solutions (CCSS) comes in. With years of experience as a California cannabis security consultant, CCSS specializes in building scalable, audit-ready security systems tailored to each client’s layout and risk profile. From consulting on new builds to retrofitting existing facilities, their team ensures your operation stays ahead of regulatory changes without compromising function or aesthetics.
Their deep understanding of compliance requirements and technical integration means you won’t have to navigate confusing updates on your own or risk penalties from accidental noncompliance. With the new standards now in effect, the time to act is now. Contact CCSS today and take the guesswork out of compliance. Whether you’re upgrading an existing system or designing one from scratch, their team can help ensure your security measures meet state expectations and protect your investment from every angle.
Cannabis Compliant Security Solutions
+19259221067