Did you know that underage kids continue to access marijuana at an alarming rate?
ID scanners play a key role in keeping marijuana dispensaries compliant and reducing risk. Although it has been said before, it is worth repeating. A simple human error or lack of a clear ID-checking policy means a cannabis retailer can face hefty fines, license suspension, or even revocation.
According to one study, up to 13% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old are reported to use marijuana(1). Before choosing ID scanners for marijuana dispensaries, it’s important to understand the workings of ID scanners and their functionality, features, and even some of their limitations. Ultimately, these key features are necessary to serve your business as a key tool in your ID-checking policy.
ID Scanners Provide a Layer of Security for Marijuana Dispensaries
- Visual verification is subject to human error in reading the ID card, computing the age and expiration date of the ID card, or simply not looking at the photo or the youth being carded.
- Visual verification cannot document what ID card was shown during the transaction. It is your word against theirs. Ultimately, your word should be backed by proof which can be documented with an ID scanner for age verification to provide proof of the ID scan and a date/time stamp of the scan.
- Easy and fast verification of age and expiration status facilitates improved efficiency and operations. It frees up employee brain space for higher-level judgment calls than performing math calculations.
- Don’t forget that using an ID scanner alone is a strong statement in the ID Checking Policy you promote in your business. Law enforcement and the community can work with your business as opposed to against it.
Key Attributes of High-Quality ID Scanners Include
- Easy to use and read: The best ID scanner feature is that it does not require a learning curve or a lengthy checking process. Simply aim, read, and document identification and driver license cards.
- Affordable and easy to maintain: Check to ensure that your ID scanner does not include costly fees or contracts. There are ID scanning solutions that have no fees and free ID updates available.
- Simple functionality: Contrary to popular belief, having more information, and in some cases, too much information, does not necessarily lead to improved or more secure verification. In fact, retaining excessive data can pose a greater security risk in terms of keeping that information secure from unintended eyes. Often, these features are purchased but are rarely used due to their cumbersome nature.
- Documentation: Documentation of the ID transaction is key and will be vital in any legal proceedings. Whether law enforcement requests it for security purposes or the courts for liability exposure, documentation helps protect you in court.
As you can see, ID scanners are a valuable tool in a comprehensive ID-checking policy. However, it’s important to remember that it is not a panacea to fix all age verification and ID-checking challenges for marijuana dispensaries.
Fake ID cards can replicate many of the security features found on a state driver’s license and identification cards and may not be detectable. Legally, it is your job to do your due diligence rather than to specifically detect ID fraud or ID theft. ID scanners are recognized by law enforcement as an effective tool in your toolbox.
Additionally, ID scanners provide a layer of security by checking the security features. However, it does not access, cross reference, or check with any government agency database.
There’s no question that ID scanners are a valuable tool for your employees to do their job well and keep your business in good standing with law enforcement and the community. Ultimately, it should be used along with employee training that involves physically examining the ID card, reading body language, and asking questions to patrons who appear suspicious. Some checks are beyond a machine’s capacity.
Sources
(1) https://drugabusestatistics.org/
