MOUNT VERNON, NY — The soft lighting, glass cabinets and the cases for displaying smokable blends, oils, edibles, vapes and cannabis accessories, give the feel of something of a cross between a local apothecary and a high-end jewelry store, which might be fitting since the new cannabis dispensaries share many of the same business concerns.
If the mock dispensary showroom in Mount Vernon is any indication, the experience of buying legal cannabis products in New York will have a very retail feel for those who avail themselves of the new offerings, but behind the scenes, the small businesses that will soon be opening in storefronts across the state will be among the most monitored, secure and regulated new ventures in recent history.
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Like the local pharmacy or that independent jewelry shop, customers at the new dispensaries will be seeking expertise in a comfortable setting along the way to settling on a purchase. And like those other businesses, security is a top concern.
But unlike those other businesses, with cannabis dispensaries, it isn’t just the inventory that will need to be safeguarded. Despite business now being conducted in the light of day, the cannabis industry remains a primarily cash business, making the industry an attractive target for nefarious actors.
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In New York, unlike other jurisdictions, legal cannabis business in the state can access banking services not specifically prohibited by federal regulators. Unfortunately, this still means that while you might be able to use your debit card at the dispensary, Mastercard, Visa and Amex remain off limits for purchases.
Just as the welcoming dispensary showrooms bely the massive undertaking behind the scenes, the state of New York has a vested interest in protecting its piece of what is expected to be a multi-billion dollar industry.
“When it comes to security, this is a highly specialized industry,” Greg Myers, President of Myers Security, told Patch. “Just complying with regulations can be overwhelming for a small business. There are very specific rules about where cameras must be placed anywhere sales take place. Then there’s the storeroom, deliveries and there are specific rules for growers and processors. There are a lot of compliance issues to think about.”
As New York’s leading cannabis security firm, Myers’s family-owned company has become the go-to place for those navigating the labyrinth of regulations that must be met before a dispensary ever opens its doors. Myers has worked with the majority of the handful of dispensaries that have already opened in the state.
Because the new marijuana dispensaries are essentially small, local businesses, another aspect of the Dispensary Showroom tour that made a stop in Mount Vernon on Thursday and Friday, is to help connect license holders with companies like Myers Security that can help with the myriad of compliance issues that come along with the new license. Organizers of the event said that because many of the initial licenses were granted to those who have been convicted of a marijuana-related offense in New York and may not have previous experience meeting state-mandated business regulations, connecting them to those with the expertise to help is essential.
Nearly every business, for example, needs a point of sale system (POS), but in an industry in which exact document sales can be the difference between running a successful business or being on the wrong side of the law, a highly specialized sales and inventory system is key. This is especially onerous because federal banking laws still largely view even legal cannabis businesses as criminal operations. One of those highly specialized POS providers was on hand to speak with local officials and new license holders. The company offered a demonstration to Mount Vernon Mayor Shawn Patterson-Howard, who hosted the event.
“We want to thank all our partners for traveling to Mount Vernon to make this event possible,” the mayor said. “The cannabis industry in New York is growing fast. We urge those interested in pursuing careers in cannabis to attend hands-on workshops and gain practical knowledge directly from the teams who were part of launching many of the first CAURD-licensed dispensaries.”
It’s expected that the economic boon won’t just reach families who have been directly wronged by cannabis-related convictions, but could help lift whole communities which were disproportionately hurt by the so-called war on drugs.
Elizabeth Oliveto, Youth Services Director at the Work Force Academy for Young Adults with the Westchester-Putnam Career Center, was on hand in the hopes of connecting young people to opportunities in what is expected to be among the fastest growing industries in the state.
“This is too big of an opportunity to miss out on,” Oliveto said. “An its fitting that the people in communities that suffered in ways that other more privileged communities didn’t necessary see will be the first to benefit. We want that to reach everyone.”
More information about the official Dispensary Showroom Tour can be found here.
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