Since recreational marijuana sales became legal in Colorado on January 1, 2014, the state has seen a number of break-ins and burglaries. Denver Police Chief Robert White reported that there had been seven burglaries at marijuana shops during the first 11 days of the year. While White added that the numbers are “relatively consistent with the number of burglaries we have in those businesses throughout the year,” local and national news have been reporting pot dispensaries and shops all over Colorado increasing or upgrading their existing security systems to fight off future invasions.
The legalization of recreational marijuana sales means more retail facilities opening up, which translates to potential business opportunities for security dealers and integrators, just as any retail or business growth would. However, in the case of pot shops, the stores are strictly regulated and are required by law to have extensive physical security systems, which make them a possible niche market for alarm companies.