New York State is at the forefront of a ground-breaking era with the legalization of recreational cannabis. And for those who want to make a place in the Cannabis industry in New York, you must be aware of the several start-up costs and aspects of the business.
Security Regulations and dispensary tech requirements are two key areas that every business must meet to start a dispensary in the Empire State. A track and trace system is a very important element of any dispensary tech framework, and that is what we are going to go through in this blog.
Track and Trace System In New York
The New York Office of Cannabis Management’s Cannabis Seed-to-Sale Tracking platform will use BioTrack as its track and trace system.
Software System
Cannabis will be tracked by the BioTrack software from the moment it is first planted as a seed until it is sold to the end-user. This software is also known as traceability or seed-to-sale. The Office of Cannabis Management in New York intends to use the BioTrack seed-to-sale traceability system to track the movement of cannabis products in the state’s recently established adult-use cannabis market. Additionally, the office will continue to monitor the state’s medical cannabis market, offering a real-time inventory of cannabis products that are sold and available in the state and preventing product diversion.
Internet Connection
Wi-Fi performance could vary depending on the size and volume of your point of sale.
Cannabis companies can accomplish a lot of things remotely with a powerful Wi-Fi connection. A cannabis software system that is cloud-based enables real-time security, allows cloud-based transactions, and facilitates monitoring of the plants’ environmental conditions.
In many states, cannabis business owners are mandated to have a cannabis software system, making it more than just a useful tool for their operations. Some, for compliance and security reasons, need a real-time track-and-trace information system to keep a watchful eye on client usage or background checks.
Above all, in order to drive sales, a dependable Wi-Fi connection is essential. It’s impossible to predict where the next customer may come from, but chances are good they’ll find you online first. The company must have a strong web presence and be open to questions at all times.
What Needs To Be Tracked
The Biotrack software is designed to monitor a comprehensive array of information concerning the cultivation, processing, transportation, and sale of cannabis products. This encompasses various data points including inventory management at every stage of the operation, compliance reporting, tracking of waste and destruction, transport manifests, real-time product recalls, and personalized labels.
Moreover, the software offers features such as security standards and the capability to automatically submit necessary data to state systems. Biotrack’s track-and-trace system empowers licensed operators to maintain compliance while pinpointing crucial data points to enhance and optimize inventory management throughout each phase of their operations.
The following are some features:
- Automated reporting to state systems
- Customized reporting focused on compliance
- Tracking of waste and destruction
- Unique alphanumeric tags
- Transport manifests
- Real-time updates on product recalls
- Customizable compliant labels tailored to your business
- Industry-leading security protocols
- Round-the-clock access to real-time data, analytics, and reports
- Seamless integration metrics
Surveillance System
The New York cannabis regulations mandate the following:
- Installation of video cameras in all areas that may contain cannabis or medical cannabis products, surveillance rooms, and at all entry and exit points. These cameras should be suitable for the prevailing lighting conditions.
- Cameras should be directed at all locations within the manufacturing facility or dispensing site where cannabis or medical cannabis products are handled, stored, or disposed of.
- Cameras at entry and exit points must be positioned to clearly and unequivocally identify individuals entering or exiting the facility.
- The system must have the capability to promptly generate a clear, color still photo from any live or recorded camera image.
- All recordings must include embedded date and time stamps, with synchronization and correct settings that do not significantly obstruct the image.
- The security alarms and video surveillance system must remain functional during power outages, providing a minimum of eight hours of operation.
How Long Do You Need To Keep Records?
According to New York cannabis laws, continuous recordings are required during operational hours and whenever cannabis or medical cannabis products, in any form, are handled. Motion-activated recordings are mandated at all other times from all video cameras. These recordings should be accessible for immediate inspection by the Office or its authorized representative upon request through remote access or login credentials. They are required to be retained for a minimum of 60 days.
Upon request, the registered organization must furnish the Office with an unaltered copy of such recordings.
Any Other Requirements
- A registered organization must ensure that all security equipment is fully operational and conduct testing at least twice a year at each manufacturing facility and dispensing site operating under the organization’s registration.
- Records of these security tests must be kept for five years and be accessible to the Office upon request.
- Security measures, such as combination numbers, passwords, or biometric systems, should only be accessible to individuals explicitly authorized to access cannabis or manufactured medical cannabis products.
- A failure notification system for detecting failures, and providing audible, text, or visual notifications of any surveillance system malfunctions. This system must alert the designated representative of the registered organization within five minutes of the failure, using channels such as telephone, email, or text message.
