Seed to Sale Security. Guaranteed Compliance.
Navigating complex state regulations with robust, compliant security infrastructure for cultivation, manufacturing, and retail dispensaries.
ZEI builds state-compliant cannabis security infrastructure across cultivation, processing, and retail — full-coverage video surveillance with extended retention, perimeter intrusion, vault-grade access control, and seed-to-sale integration. Systems pass state inspections and match the cash-and-product risk profile of every site.
Technology Partners
A representative cannabis facilities environment of the kind ZEI engineers infrastructure for.
What this industry deals with.
- Strict and varying state retention and coverage requirements that must be passed on inspection
- High cash-and-product risk profile across cultivation, processing, and retail
- Internal-loss exposure during product handling and packaging
- Tight integration required with seed-to-sale (METRC, BioTrack) tracking systems
- Banking and payment constraints driving heavier cash-handling security needs
Regulatory Compliance Standard
We build systems that pass state inspections the first time, every time.
100% Coverage
No blind spots.
Strategic camera placement to ensure every square inch of product handling is recorded in high definition.
Extended Retention
Meeting state mandates.
On-premise and cloud storage solutions designed to meet 90-day or longer video retention requirements.
Inventory Protection
Securing the vault.
Advanced access control and intrusion detection to protect high-value product from internal and external theft.
Seed-to-Sale Integration
Unified operations.
Integrate security data with your inventory tracking software for complete operational visibility.
How this gets applied.
Cultivation perimeter and grow-room coverage
Outdoor perimeter detection plus indoor grow-room cameras with environmental tolerance for heat, humidity, and lighting cycles.
Vault and packaging room access
Dual-credential access with biometric option, surveillance from multiple angles, and access events logged into the seed-to-sale system.
Dispensary cash and product flow
Camera coverage of every transaction surface, ID verification at the door, panic / hold-up alarms with verified-response monitoring.
Seed-to-sale integration
Custom middleware ties access events and video clips to METRC / BioTrack records for inspection-ready audit trails.
Systems we typically deploy.
An opinionated, ordered stack — what most cannabis facilities engagements include, in priority order.
Video Surveillance
ZEI engineers commercial video surveillance systems built around modern IP cameras, edge AI analytics, and cloud or on-premise video management
Access Control
ZEI deploys cloud-managed and enterprise access control across single-door deployments and multi-site campuses
Intrusion Alarm
ZEI engineers commercial intrusion detection systems that integrate with video surveillance and access control to verify threats before responders are dispatched
Physical AI
ZEI deploys physical AI — computer vision, behavioral analytics, and machine learning — that turns existing camera infrastructure into intelligent sensors
Software Engineering
Our in-house engineering team builds custom middleware, dashboards, and integrations that connect physical security and building systems to the rest of your business
Cloud Infrastructure
ZEI hosts and manages cloud infrastructure for physical security, video, and building systems on AWS, GCP, and Azure
Built to the standards that apply.
State coverage requirements
Camera placement and recording schedules per state cannabis regulator (Florida OMMU, California DCC, Colorado MED, etc.).
Retention windows
Most states require 45–90 days of high-quality video; some require longer for specific zones. Sized accordingly.
Tamper protection
Tamper-resistant enclosures, dedicated UPS, and dual-path alarm communication required to satisfy many state rules.
Facility Types
Specific security designs for different stages of the supply chain.
Cultivation & Processing
Protecting large-scale agricultural and manufacturing operations.
- Perimeter fence detection
- Harsh environment cameras
- Employee access tracking
- Environmental monitoring
- Delivery bay security
Retail Dispensaries
Securing storefronts while maintaining a welcoming customer experience.
- ID verification integration
- Cash handling surveillance
- Panic/Hold-up alarms
- Display case sensors
- After-hours intrusion
From the engineering blog.
Background reading our team draws from when designing infrastructure for cannabis facilities.
Setting Up a VMS from Scratch
A Video Management System (VMS) is the software platform that ties your entire surveillance infrastructure together.
System Commissioning: The Phase That Separates Professionals from Installers
Installation is the easy part. Any crew can mount cameras, pull cable, and rack equipment.
Hybrid Cloud Video Storage: Balancing Retention, Bandwidth, and Cost
The debate over where to store surveillance video has evolved beyond the binary choice of on-premises NVR versus cloud.
Frequently asked.
Will your design pass our state's cannabis security inspection?
Can you tie cameras to METRC or BioTrack?
How do you handle cash-handling security?
What about insider theft?
Talk to an engineer.
Tell us about your cannabis facilities facility and what you're trying to solve. Our engineering team will respond with a system design tailored to your environment.
Request a Quote