Let’s Pull Back the Curtain and See What the Cannabis Unit is Cooking Up!

By the LCB Enforcement and Education Division

Recently, a new group called the Information Sharing Group (ISG) was formed in the Education and Enforcement Division. This group is made up of cannabis lieutenants, officers, and examiners, led by a lieutenant with oversight from the cannabis unit captains. One of the group’s focuses is to help raise awareness about instances where cannabis licensees have been the target of criminal activities or theft and provide licensee support.

Data Gathering and Resource Making

One of the first steps the team takes is to review data to see what trends come up. This helps them tailor their approach and create the most helpful resources for cannabis licensees.

One of the takeaways from the data analysis noted that when cannabis locations are victimized, there is a low level of reporting the incident to LCB. This happens most often when burglaries are after hours when the location is closed.

The ISG spent time discussing why this might be happening, or more accurately, not happening — and they have a few ideas:

One reason an LCB officer may not be contacted is that licensees might assume that when they contact their local law enforcement agency and make a report, the LCB will be notified.

In addition, and understandably so, licensees may be consumed with the aftermath of these burglaries, damage done to the store, and/or the loss of inventory. Just getting back up and running takes a lot of effort, sometimes for many days, as licensees may need to secure the damaged location, order replacements or repairs, handle changed hours for employees, deal with insurance companies, etc.

Given this reality, the ISG wants to increase the timeliness and accuracy of licensee reporting of victimization in two ways: education and personal contact.

Efforts are underway to develop educational content and materials that can be shared during LCB’s annual inspections at cannabis licensed locations. This will help emphasize what a licensee should do if they are victimized, reminding them of the importance of reaching out to LCB. In addition, licensees will get a physical checklist that can be kept at the location as a reference.

The ISG is also working on a step-by-step process of things officers can do when they learn a location has been victimized. This will start by contacting the licensee and physically going to the location. There is no substitute for actually showing up to support for the licensee, especially at a time when they are dealing with the stress of getting their business back in order.

A Safety Net

Reactions to the Information Sharing Group has been positive so far, both from licensees and from regional law enforcement groups. The hope of the group is to continue to improve communication between the LCB, licensees, and local law enforcement as a way to improve the safety and security of licensed cannabis locations in the state.

Stay tuned for more information!