Job Profile: Unarmed Security

Job Overview

The Unarmed Security professional is a central figure in the cannabis enterprise, ensuring operational integrity at the intersection of public interaction and stringent legal mandates. This position operates within a unique environment characterized by high-value, state-regulated inventory, significant cash transactions due to federal banking limitations, and a diverse clientele that includes medical patients and adult-use consumers. The role’s primary function is to maintain a secure and compliant environment through vigilant observation, meticulous access control, and professional issue resolution. The Unarmed Security professional directly upholds the conditions of the operating license by preventing diversion, enforcing facility protocols, and creating a safe atmosphere for both staff and customers. Their performance is critical to mitigating risk, ensuring business continuity, and building the public trust necessary for long-term success in the cannabis market.

A Day in the Life

The operational day for an Unarmed Security professional begins before the doors open to the public. The initial task involves a comprehensive facility opening procedure. This includes disarming the multi-layered alarm system and conducting a detailed physical patrol of the entire perimeter. The officer inspects all doors, windows, and potential points of entry for any signs of tampering or compromise from the previous night. Inside, they verify that all surveillance cameras are operational, recording properly, and positioned correctly to meet state-mandated fields of view. They review the previous shift’s Daily Activity Report for any ongoing issues or items requiring follow-up. The security desk is then prepared for customer intake. This involves ensuring the ID scanner is functional and that the visitor and employee logs are ready for new entries, a critical step for regulatory accountability.

As the facility opens, the focus shifts to meticulous access control. Each individual seeking entry is greeted professionally. The security officer is responsible for verifying the age and identity of every customer by examining government-issued identification. For medical dispensaries, this includes the additional step of cross-referencing a patient's medical cannabis card with state databases. The officer maintains a calm and orderly queue, using active listening skills to address customer questions and manage expectations during peak hours. Simultaneously, they manage access for vendors and contractors, verifying their appointments, issuing visitor badges, and ensuring they are escorted by an employee at all times within restricted areas. Every entry and exit is logged with precise accuracy, creating an auditable record for state regulators.

Midday operations involve a continuous cycle of patrols and active surveillance. The security professional conducts regular walks through the customer-facing areas and around the building exterior. These patrols are designed to provide a visible deterrent and to identify potential issues before they escalate. Inside, the officer observes customer and employee interactions, watching for any behavioral red flags that could indicate distress, conflict, or potential internal diversion. They ensure that all cannabis products on display are secure and that no unauthorized handling occurs. When a secure transport vehicle arrives with new inventory, the officer oversees the intake process, verifying the manifest against the delivery and ensuring the product is moved swiftly and securely into the facility's vault, maintaining the chain of custody. Any alarm notifications, such as a door to a secure area being held open too long, are met with an immediate response to investigate and resolve the issue.

The latter part of the shift often centers on documentation and issue resolution. The professional completes detailed reports on any incidents that occurred, no matter how minor. This could range from a customer complaint to a malfunctioning security device. These reports are written with clarity and accuracy, as they form the official record for management and potentially for regulators. If a conflict arises between customers or with a staff member, the officer employs verbal de-escalation techniques to calm the situation, seeking a peaceful resolution while enforcing facility rules. The focus is always on maintaining a safe and professional environment. Before the end of the shift, the officer ensures all documentation is finalized and logged correctly. A thorough pass-down is conducted with the relieving officer, communicating the day’s events and any outstanding items. Finally, they participate in closing procedures, securing the facility, and ensuring all assets and personnel are safe before arming the alarm system for the night.

Core Responsibilities & Operational Impact

The Unarmed Security professional's duties are structured around three critical operational domains that ensure the facility's security and compliance:

1. Rigorous Access & Area Control

• Identity & Age Verification: Executing strict, state-mandated protocols for checking government-issued identification and medical cannabis credentials to prevent access by unauthorized or underage individuals.
• Visitor Management: Maintaining a meticulous, auditable log of every non-employee (vendors, contractors, regulators) entering the facility, including their entry time, exit time, and purpose of visit.
• Enforcement of Secure Zones: Actively managing and enforcing the boundaries of 'Limited Access Areas' and 'Restricted Access Areas' to ensure only authorized personnel handle cannabis products, a core tenet of anti-diversion strategy.

2. Proactive Patrol & Incident Response

• Systematic Patrols: Conducting scheduled and unscheduled patrols of the facility interior and exterior to provide a visible security presence, deter illicit activity, and identify potential hazards or vulnerabilities.
• Alarm Response: Serving as the first responder for all on-site security alarms, including perimeter breaches, panic alarms, or vault alerts. This involves immediate investigation, assessment, and escalation to management or law enforcement according to established SOPs.
• Active Surveillance Monitoring: Observing feeds from the Video Management System (VMS) to monitor activities in critical zones, identify suspicious behavior, and provide real-time support during security-sensitive operations like cash handling or product transport.

3. Precise Documentation & Issue Resolution

• Detailed Reporting: Authoring clear, concise, and accurate Daily Activity Reports (DARs) and Incident Reports (IRs). This documentation provides a legal and regulatory record of all security-related activities and is crucial for audits.
• Verbal De-escalation: Employing proven communication and active listening techniques to resolve conflicts and manage agitated individuals calmly and professionally, minimizing the need for physical intervention or law enforcement involvement.
• Regulatory Liaison Support: Assisting management by providing security documentation and facilitating access for state regulators or law enforcement officers during official inspections or inquiries, demonstrating the facility's commitment to compliance.

Strategic Impact Analysis

The Unarmed Security professional directly influences key business performance metrics through the following mechanisms:

Chain of Command & Key Stakeholders

Reports To: This position typically reports to a Security Manager, Loss Prevention Manager, or the General Manager of the facility.

Similar Roles: This role shares core competencies with titles such as Loss Prevention Specialist, Asset Protection Associate, or Corporate Security Officer. These positions all require strong observational skills, adherence to protocols, and professional interaction. The key differentiator in cannabis is the layer of state-mandated compliance. The responsibilities align closely with those in other highly regulated retail environments like pharmacies or jewelry stores, but with the added complexity of seed-to-sale tracking and cash-intensive operations. The position serves as a specialist-level role, critical for on-the-ground execution of the company's security and compliance strategy.

Works Closely With: This position requires constant collaboration with the Inventory Manager to ensure secure product movement, Retail Associates (Budtenders) to maintain a safe sales floor, and the Compliance Officer to ensure all security actions are documented according to state law.

Technology, Tools & Systems

Operational success requires proficiency with specific security and compliance technologies:

• Video Management Systems (VMS): Daily interaction with platforms like Milestone, Genetec, or Avigilon to actively monitor camera feeds, review recorded footage for investigations, and ensure 100% system uptime as required by state law.
• Access Control Systems: Management of electronic access points using keycard, fob, or biometric systems (e.g., Brivo, HID) to enforce area restrictions and generate audit trails of personnel movement.
• Incident Reporting Software: Use of digital platforms (e.g., TrackTik, Incident Tracker) to log all security events, creating a searchable, time-stamped database for analysis and regulatory review.
• ID Verification Scanners: Operation of scanners that authenticate driver's licenses and other forms of government ID to confirm age and prevent entry with fraudulent documents.
• Communication Systems: Proficient use of two-way radios or other digital communication platforms to maintain constant contact with team members and management for rapid coordination and response.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

Transferable Skills

Success in this role leverages experience from industries that prioritize public safety, regulation, and customer service:

• High-End Retail Loss Prevention: Experience in a customer-facing role focused on asset protection, de-escalation, and identifying internal/external theft provides a strong foundation.
• Healthcare Security: A background in hospital or clinic security brings valuable skills in patient interaction, managing emotionally charged situations, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Corporate Security/Concierge: Experience managing building access control, visitor protocols, and serving as a professional first point of contact for a corporation is directly applicable.
• Military & Law Enforcement (Entry Level): The discipline, attention to detail, report writing skills, and ability to operate calmly under pressure gained from these fields are highly transferable.

Critical Competencies

The role demands specific professional attributes for high performance:

• Unwavering Composure: The ability to remain calm, professional, and decisive during high-stress situations, such as dealing with a disruptive individual or responding to an alarm.
• Meticulous Attention to Detail: A capacity for extreme accuracy in documentation, ID verification, and observation, where small errors can have significant compliance consequences.
• Adaptable Communication: The skill to shift communication styles effectively, from being a firm enforcer of rules to a welcoming and helpful presence for patients and customers.
• Strong Analytical Skills: The aptitude to analyze a situation quickly, identify potential threats or compliance breaches based on observation, and formulate an appropriate response.

Top 3 Influential Entities for the Role

These organizations define the operational landscape and professional standards for this role:

• State Cannabis Regulatory Agency: This is the most dominant entity. Whether called the Cannabis Control Commission, Department of Cannabis Control, or Marijuana Enforcement Division, this state-level body writes and enforces the specific security regulations that the professional must execute daily. This includes camera coverage requirements, visitor logging protocols, and alarm system specifications.
• ASIS International: As a global organization for security professionals, ASIS sets the standards for best practices in physical security, threat assessment, and de-escalation. While not cannabis-specific, their principles and training programs form the foundation of professional security operations and are highly respected in the field.
• Local Municipal Government & Law Enforcement: City or county ordinances often add another layer of security requirements for cannabis businesses. Building a positive, professional relationship with local police is also critical for effective emergency response and community integration.

Acronyms & Terminology