By Tom Vigilante, Jr.
It has been some time since voters approved Proposition 203 in the November 2010 general election to allow the sale and use of medical marijuana in Arizona. After the Arizona Department of Health Services released its rules for distribution and use of medical marijuana in March 2011, a few dispensaries have opened to serve those who have a state-issued medical marijuana registry identification card.
Over the past six months, we have targeted medical marijuana facilities to provide real-time video managed services for because the State of Arizona requires each dispensary to comply with specific security requirements, including mandatory use of video surveillance cameras. Starting May 6, I am pleased to announce that Centralized Vision will begin providing video monitoring services at Giving Tree Wellness Center’s medical marijuana dispensaries in North Phoenix, and later this summer when their other location in Mesa opens.
Centralized Vision will monitor numerous video surveillance cameras on the interior and exterior of Giving Tree Wellness Center’s two locations, as well as provide one-way audio response to ensure the facility is not vandalized, burglarized or targeted by criminals. We are also providing Giving Tree our Scout Ahead service, which allows their employees to talk with our techs at our Phoenix headquarters while being watched on video surveillance to ensure their route from the facility to their car is free from harm. If necessary, Centralized Vision has long-standing relationships with a contracted security patrol company and local police departments to dispatch police officers.
In addition to the many auto dealerships, retail centers, recycling facilities, office buildings and warehouse distribution centers we monitor, I believe medical marijuana dispensaries will be a new industry we will be able to lend our expertise to in the near future. We can help each dispensary develop their state-mandated security plan, which requires every facility to have security equipment to deter unauthorized entrance to limited access areas, exterior lighting and video surveillance cameras. A dispensary must also have policies and procedures in place for the use of the security equipment to prevent unauthorized access to medical marijuana at the facility.
Most importantly, we have proven to be a cost-effective solution for Giving Tree and other medical marijuana dispensaries in Arizona because our monthly rates are approximately 80 percent less than a security officer to patrol the premises. With medical marijuana being legal in 17 states now, Centralized Vision can provide the same affordable rates, customer service and real-time security options to deter criminal activity at any dispensary in the country.