Fingerprint recognition to protect medical marijuana dispensaries in Illinois

Medical marijuana cultivation centers and dispensaries in Illinois will be safeguarded by advanced security measures, including vaults monitored by security guards and protected by fingerprint recognition access control systems, according to a report by The Denver Post.

With so many business owners vying for marijuana cultivation and dispensary permits under Illinois’ new law, many entrepreneurs are also submitting a comprehensive security plan with their application to give them a competitive edge in scoring.

The security plan makes up for about 20 percent of the merit-based application process, which will be reviewed by investigators hired by the Illinois State Police.

Many of the applicants have proposed that the marijuana will be grown in enclosed, locked retail centers that feature silent alarms, 24-hour video surveillance and bulletproof glass, while staff will escort patients with special ID cards to their vehicles after they make their purchase.

Medical marijuana applicants in Illinois are the only applicants in the country who must submit their fingerprints to the state, as well documentation of Social Security disability insurance, proof of age and residency and a recent photo, as detailed in a report by the Chicago Tribute.

Illinois laws require marijuana cultivation centers to feature 24-hour closed-circuit television surveillance of all entrances and exits, parking lots, alleys and the center’s entire interior, with the exception of restrooms and the management office.

Marijuana dispensaries also have similar requirements as cultivation centers. Meanwhile, the estimated costs of a center’s security measures can range anywhere from $150,000 to $1.8 million.

Article Topics

access control  |  biometrics  |  fingerprint biometrics  |  security