The legal cannabis industry—now a multibillion-dollar market—faces persistent risk from theft and diversion throughout its distribution network. Many businesses have responded by deploying armed security personnel, but has this strategy actually curbed criminal incidents?

According to Security Magazine, cannabis companies have adopted a layered security model much like the firearms and pharmaceutical sectors, often including armed guards alongside hardened facilities and surveillance systems. For instance, Domain Logistics employs 24/7 guarded yards, x-ray checkpoints, proactive employee screening, and real-time monitoring during product transit. These measures are credited with thwarting external threats such as smash-and-grab robberies and organized cargo theft rings targeting high-value shipments.

One telling case in Colorado involved law enforcement intercepting a coordinated ring that had stolen over $1 million worth of cannabis intended for distribution in Denver. Security firms have responded by installing tamper-evident seals, discreet GPS trackers, and satellite-grade surveillance in transport vehicles. When armed security is present, such tactics serve as powerful deterrents—criminals are less likely to risk confrontations involving force.

Yet, insights from Convergint and Deep Sentinel underscore that most losses still stem from internal sources, not external robberies. Employee theft may account for up to 90% of product and cash shrinkage in dispensaries. While armed guards can deter break-ins and hold-ups, they do little to prevent staff diversion, which often occurs under the cloak of normal operations.

Legal and regulatory frameworks further complicate the role of armed security. In Illinois, for example, dispensaries can hire licensed armed guards, but they must undergo extensive training, carry credentials, and are often restricted from entering storage areas unless escorted. This restricts their ability to intervene in internal theft and confines them to perimeter roles.

Empirical evidence on theft reduction rates with armed security remains limited. Most data is anecdotal or proprietary. However, Security Magazine reported that adding multiple layers of perimeter barriers—reinforced locks and safes—stopped at least one attempted break-in because it delayed intruders long enough for police or guards to respond. This suggests armed security works best when integrated with structural defenses and real-time monitoring technologies.

Overall, armed security significantly deters external theft and reinforces regulatory compliance. But it’s no silver bullet. Internal diversion, which remains far more prevalent, needs to be addressed through robust access controls, rigorous staff vetting, surveillance, and analytics—areas where technology often outpaces armed deterrence. As Convergint and others emphasize, mitigating diversion requires comprehensive systems—access logs, cloud-based video analytics, and secure storage protocols.

In conclusion, armed security in cannabis distribution helps reduce high-profile robberies and shipment hijackings, acting as a critical deterrent. Yet, to truly secure the supply chain, operators must balance these measures with internal controls, operational analytics, and regulatory oversight. The most successful security programs are integrated ones—where armed presence, technology, and procedural rigor work in concert.