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Comments on the POT - as in marijuana not POTTS - article from Sept 20, 2013 

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Ken

    As always, you nailed it!

Alice Cornett Giacalone, Senior Vice President

Central Insurance Agency

www.ciainsures.com

(800) 917-2542

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 Ken,

    I agree with your comments on the industry protecting legal marijuana dispensers and growers.  If our concern is that the people robbing a pot shop or grower’s warehouse will cause an accident under the influence of the stolen product, then we should get rid of our liquor stores and our alcohol distributors as well.  Not to mention gun shops, military facilities and chemical plants.  I don’t see the difference.  It’s not my business to judge my client’s business or political beliefs providing they are legal.  I was surprised by ADT’s stand on this issue and saw it as a public relations ploy.

    Always good to start my day with your emails.

Jean Levenson

Sentry Alarms

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Ken,

    Very interesting topic  re: doing alarm work for what will inevitably be "Big Marijuana." But the question posed by Bart Didden is equally applicable to smaller dispensaries as well. As you noted in your response, it's irrelevant what kind of activity is going on on the secured premises, so long as the system is functioning properly.

I'm wondering, in your contracts, is there specific language that addresses this, or is there simply no need for it?

    I also found the question about burden of liability interesting in regard to culpability in the event of, say, a fatality via car accident caused by someone under the influence of stolen marijuana. That seems legally far fetched to me, but is it something alarm contracts may have to address, or not?

    Thanks for your time and insight,

Best,

Leif Kothe

Associate Editor, Security Systems News

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Ken,

    A very interesting article of the security of medical marijuana dispensaries.  I work for a family owned and operated security company in AZ.  To date, I have provided security for seven medical marijuana operations.  

    Yes, I was very happy to hear that ADT is not providing security for operations of this nature and do agree with the "state vs. federal" stance on this issue.  The problem we are experiencing with these operations is late payment.  Because a CCTV system and operational alarm system is required by the State of Arizona, they have no problem signing on the dotted line because they will make there money back within the first month.

    WRONG.... be it too many dispensaries in the market or the nature of the business itself, they are finding out that people are not waiting in line to purchase medical marijuana. In fact, business sucks at 5 of my seven operations. The "hole card" we are holding is that once we down power there system for non payment, they can not legally do business.

    My recommendation to any security consultant in the industry regarding the security of medical marijuana facilities is get a large down payment than the usual 20-30%. I am asking for and getting 35-40% down and offering "90 day same as cash" terms upon completion.

anon

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Response

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    Many alarm companies provide alarm service to bars and restaurants, where liquor is served.  A law called the Dram Shop Act makes the dispensary of alcohol liable if someone buys and consumes alcohol on the premises, leaves inebriated and causes injury to another.  Trust me, the alarm company is not going to be sued, so why should the alarm company  be sued if someone using the pot causes injury.  No contract provision is necessary for this self evident proposition.

    Regarding the poor payment history from some of the subscriber dispensaries, it seems like you have the same hold over them that fire alarm companies have over their commercial subscribers - a call to the AHJ that the system is going to be terminated.  Don't give too much time on the notice so the sub doesn't have time to replace your system.  

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Webinars

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October 2, 2013  12 noon EST   Register here:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4971762135701038336

 Title:  Detecting and preventing workplace fraud and embezzlement

 Presented by:  Judge Ruth Kraft, Chair, Labor and Employment Department, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum, PC.

 Description:  The webinar will discuss classic employee embezzlement and fraud scenarios, applicable to all businesses, how to anticipate the problem, understand patterns of behavior by employees who are committing fraud, and self-audit against these eventualities.

 Who should attend:  Attendees should be business owners-obviously not their staffers!

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December 4, 2013   12 noon EST  Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4919260455763006721

     Title:  10 Things Residential Security Alarm Companies should consider BEFORE entering the world of Commercial Engineered System Fire Alarms

      Presented by:  Bob Williams, President of Briscoe Protective Systems and his Management Team. 

Briscoe Protective Systems has been in the industry for 35 Years and has made the transition from a Residential Alarm Company in the late 70’s to a Engineered System Fire and Security Company that is an SDM Top 100 Company. Find us on the web at www.BriscoeProtective.com or on LinkedIn under Companies, Facebook and Twitter@BriscoeProSys 

      Description:  There is a big difference between installing Residential Fire Systems and Commercial Engineered Fire Systems and there are “Key Factors” that Security Company’s should consider before attempting to go into this lucrative but challenging market.

      Who should attend:  Alarm company owners and fire techs.  

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