Lesson 1, Topic 1
In Progress

Micro Cannabis Dispensary

Storage Options and Requirements

Let’s talk about how a micro dispensary can manage its inventory. There are a few options for storing your cannabis products safely and in compliance with regulations:

  1. Your Own Controlled Facility: You can store your inventory in a storage facility that you control and operate. Just make sure you’re following specific guidelines, which we’ll cover in detail on the next page.
  2. Partner Facilities: You also have the option to store your goods at a facility controlled and operated by a licensed grower, processor, or in an incubator space, following these same guidelines.
  3. Standard Dispensary Storage: Alternatively, a storage facility controlled and operated by a licensed standard dispensary is fine too, as long as it complies with the regulations that were outlined in the previous section.

Now, before you move any cannabis or cannabis products around—whether that’s delivering them, transporting them to a storage facility, or receiving them at one—you need to make sure everything’s tracked. Ensure all your cannabis is transferred within the seed-to-sale tracking system to the control of your micro dispensary. Feel free to revisit the previous lesson on the ‘Transport Operations’ segment if you need a refresher on these regulations.

Operational Standards for Owned Storage Facilities

Let’s dive into what it takes to operate your own storage facility as a micro dispensary in Maryland. There are some specific requirements you need to follow to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely:

Location and Building Standards

  • Stay Local: Make sure your storage facility is located right here in Maryland.
  • Building Up to Code: Your building should comply with all the current building codes and standards.
  • Security Measures: The facility should be built to keep out unauthorized folks. This means secure doors, locks, and maybe even some advanced security measures to prevent any unwanted entry.

Optimal Storage Conditions

  • It’s not just about keeping things under lock and key; you also need to ensure the environment inside is perfect for keeping your cannabis fresh and safe. This includes:
    • Proper lighting
    • Adequate ventilation
    • Controlled temperature and humidity
    • Sufficient space and the right equipment
  • Keep it neat and tidy, always in a clean and orderly condition.
  • And of course, make sure there are no creepy crawlies or any pests around.

Access and Security

  • Limited Access: Only allow access to:
    • The micro dispensary owner
    • The micro dispensary agents
    • If applicable, the owner and agents of the licensee operating the storage facility
  • Locks and Alarms: Ensure your facility is securely locked and protected, only opening when you absolutely need to access the cannabis. Also, you’ll need a robust security alarm system covering:
    • All doors and entry points
    • Rooms where cannabis is stored
    • Places where records are kept, both on-site and off-site
  • Surveillance and Monitoring: Set up:
    • Continuous monitoring of your security systems, which should include smoke, fire, and power loss detection systems.
    • Panic alarms in accessible locations.
    • A backup power supply that keeps everything running for at least 48 hours if there’s a power outage.
    • A motion-activated video surveillance system that runs 24/7, capturing high-quality images that can clearly show facial details and include a time stamp.

Maintenance

Keep all your security devices like locks, alarms, and surveillance systems in excellent working order.

Delivery and Transportation Regulations

When running a micro dispensary, delivery operations are a crucial part of the business. Let’s break down what you need to know:

Order Verification

Before accepting any orders, confirm that the person placing the order is either over 21, a qualifying patient, or a registered caregiver. Use a system that meets state regulations.

Travel Guidelines

  • Stick to travel between licensees, registrants, or different delivery addresses.
  • Keep all travel within Maryland borders.

Delivery Locations

  • Deliveries can only be made to residential addresses and medical facilities within your authorized service area.

Delivery Agent Requirements

  • Agents must carry their valid driver’s license and proof of both the dispensary’s licensure and their registration.
  • All agents must wear a body camera that records the entire time they’re delivering cannabis or cannabis products.
  • To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, agents should not wear clothing or symbols indicating they’re carrying cannabis.
  • Each delivery vehicle must have at least one registered agent and no unauthorized personnel.

Vehicle and Transport

  • Cannabis must be transported in locked and secure storage containers within an enclosed vehicle displaying current registration, properly insured, and equipped with GPS to track its route.
  • The vehicle should also have motion-activated video surveillance around the storage areas and the storage containers must be hidden from view and anchored inside the vehicle.
  • Absolutely no cannabis-related signage or symbols should be visible on the vehicle.

Purchasing and Tracking

  • When buying cannabis from another licensee, you need to work together to create an electronic manifest that records who handled the cannabis at every step of its journey.
  • Make sure your stock of cannabis is constantly tracked from purchase to delivery.

Daily Monitoring

  • Check the video from the delivery agent’s body camera and the vehicle’s onboard camera daily.
  • Review the GPS logs to monitor all stops made by the delivery vehicles.

Restrictions

  • Do not transport cannabis without an associated active invoice or product manifest.
  • Only use compliant vehicles for transport.
  • Do not dispense directly from the storage facility, and always require an order to be placed in advance.
  • Never carry more than $5,000 worth of cannabis in the delivery vehicle at any time.

Value Determination

  • For regulatory purposes, the value of cannabis in a delivery vehicle is calculated based on the current retail price of all products being transported.

Ownership Requirements

  • If you own a micro dispensary, you must be a registered agent.

Compliance and Surveillance

Managing video surveillance is key for security and compliance. Here’s what you need to know about keeping those recordings in line with the regulations:

Recording and Access

  • Security First: Access to the recordings should be limited to authorized personnel only.
  • Ease of Use: Make sure the video format is easy to access, especially if needed for investigations.
  • Storage Duration: Keep your recordings for at least 90 days. This gives you plenty of time to refer back to them if necessary.
  • Availability: If the Administration or a law enforcement agency needs access to the recordings for a legitimate reason, you’ll need to provide them within 48 hours.

Understanding Violations

  • Timeliness is Crucial: Failing to hand over video footage to the Administration within 48 hours of their request is a violation against state regulations.
  • Daily Accountability: Each day that you don’t provide the required footage from the past 90 days counts as a separate violation.