Dec 05, 2022
Network uptime to meet your regulatory environment's requirements
The rules governing cannabis operators are complex but there is at least one that is universal — and it pertains to how dispensaries maintain ongoing visibility into their operations for security purposes. Yet at the same time, the specifics involved vary on a state-to-state basis. One thing in common is that all these systems rely on secure and resilient internet connectivity.
Security systems must pass legal muster. All the states that have legalized recreational marijuana require business owners to set up video surveillance, as well as the accessories that record footage. But as is the case for many other aspects of running a cannabis business, there are very specific guidelines for how surveillance systems must be managed, installed, stored, and maintained.
Here are just a few examples:
• Minimum camera resolution.
• Adequate storage capacity and compatibility with the internet.
• Specific placement of cameras relative to entrances and exits.
• Minimum amount of time cameras must record.
• Minimum amount of data that cameras need to produce in a 24-hour period.
• Utilization of an offsite video surveillance monitoring and storage service.
At a minimum cameras and storage must be internet protocol compatible. IP compatibility enables business owners to check on what's happening at their business if they're away by synching surveillance systems to their mobile devices. The finer details regarding each of these rules depend on the state, however, the utilization of offsite video surveillance monitoring entirely relies on internet network reliability. To meet these regulations the network must be right-sized with the appropriate bandwidth and speeds along with the ability to failover to a secondary network that ensures uptime and cannabis operators' ability to always remain open.
Cannabis A Growing Industry
The cannabis business is thriving, reaching a valuation level that may soon be on par with health care, manufacturing, engineering, and information technology. In fact, from a global perspective, the industry is poised to be worth more than $90 billion by 2026, an increase of 28 percent from 2020, according to estimates from Research and Markets. According to Mary Magazine, approximately 7,500 businesses sell marijuana for recreational usage nationwide.
But from a regulatory perspective, the cannabis industry is in a class all its own. Considered a Schedule I drug at the federal level — but legal for adults to use recreationally in 18 states (in certain amounts) and for medical reasons in 21 states, according to USA Today at the time this article was published. With so many agencies and authorities charged with oversight — from the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research to a patchwork of state-based and local entities — the rules governing cannabis usage and distribution are an ever-moving target.
When it comes to government regulations, they never decrease — only increase. With all that you're required to do, you deserve a network that you can count on so your surveillance systems are the least of your concerns.
Ventus is a comprehensive managed network-as-a-service provider that continuously monitors your network — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — to ensure reliability and connectivity. We work with all national and local network services providers for cellular, broadband, and ethernet for any application, including surveillance.
Contact us today to learn more about our solutions and products. Let Ventus support your network to ensure that you meet these targets.