Ontario's AGCO regulations require licensed security at cannabis retail locations. DW Security holds a valid PSISA licence and carries $5M in comprehensive insurance, ensuring your store meets every regulatory requirement from day one. With rapid 48-hour deployment, we place trained, uniformed guards at your location fast — so you never risk a compliance gap. Our cannabis retail security services are available across Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, Scarborough, Hamilton, and throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Primary focus
AGCO compliance, age verification, theft prevention, and customer flow management for licensed cannabis retailers.
Trusted by sectors
Licensed cannabis retailers • LP-affiliated stores • Multi-location operators • Independent dispensaries
Our Services
Our Cannabis Retail Solutions Include
- 1AGCO compliance and licensed security presence
- 2ID verification and age-check enforcement
- 3Queue management during peak hours and product drops
- 4Theft and diversion prevention protocols
- 5Incident reporting for AGCO inspection requirements
- 6Loss prevention integrated with customer experience
Daily Operations
Inside Our Daily Routine
A structured approach to cannabis retail security that ensures AGCO compliance and a smooth customer experience from open to close.
Store opening
ID check station setup, queue management configuration, perimeter sweep.
Live operations
Floor monitoring, age verification enforcement, theft deterrence, customer flow management.
Close-out review
Incident log completion, AGCO compliance documentation, cash escort coordination.
Our Process
Our Proven Cannabis Retail Method
Compliance Audit & Store Assessment
We evaluate your retail location against AGCO requirements, mapping entry points, product display zones, and ID verification stations to build a compliance-first security plan.
Guard Training & AGCO Protocol Alignment
Guards are trained on cannabis retail regulations, age verification procedures, incident documentation standards, and customer de-escalation tailored to dispensary environments.
Ongoing Compliance Monitoring & Reporting
Regular audits, real-time incident logging, and quarterly compliance reviews ensure your store is always inspection-ready and operating within regulatory guidelines.
DW Security Cannabis Retail Benefits
When you choose DW Security Services for your cannabis retail security needs, you get AGCO-ready protection that keeps your store compliant and your customers confident.
AGCO Inspection Readiness
Our guards maintain meticulous incident logs, age verification records, and compliance documentation so your store is always prepared for unannounced AGCO inspections. Every shift produces audit-ready reports that align with regulatory expectations.
Seamless Customer Experience
Security that enhances rather than hinders the retail experience. Our guards manage queues efficiently, verify IDs with professionalism, and maintain a welcoming atmosphere while deterring theft and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Add parking lot patrol to your cannabis retail security package for full-property coverage, or tap our rapid-deployment temporary staffing for new store openings and product launch events.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about cannabis retail security
Does an Ontario cannabis retail store need licensed security guards?
AGCO expects authorized cannabis retail stores to maintain controls over access, age verification, and product security, and most operators meet that with a uniformed licensed guard during open hours. All DW Security guards are licensed under Ontario's Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA), so your security presence is documented and verifiable at inspection.
Do your guards handle ID and age verification at the door?
Yes. Guards are trained on age verification procedures for cannabis retail and can run the door check, manage the entry queue, and turn away anyone who cannot produce valid identification. Every refusal and incident is logged so you have a written record if AGCO asks for one.
How do you help with AGCO inspections?
We start with a compliance audit that maps your entry points, product display zones, and ID verification stations against AGCO requirements, and you get a gap report from it. From there, real-time incident logging and monthly compliance reports keep the store inspection-ready rather than scrambling when an inspector arrives.
Can you manage lineups during product drops and peak hours?
Yes. Queue management is a standard part of cannabis retail coverage, including outdoor lineups, entry pacing to respect occupancy limits, and keeping the sidewalk clear for neighbouring businesses. We scale guard numbers for launch days and known high-traffic dates.
How do you prevent theft and product diversion?
Guards work to documented theft and diversion prevention protocols covering display area monitoring, back-of-house access control, and staff bag-check procedures where your policy calls for them. Loss prevention is delivered as part of the customer experience rather than as an aggressive floor presence.
How fast can you deploy guards to a dispensary?
We deploy to cannabis retail locations within 48 hours in most cases, including short-notice coverage for a licence inspection, a staffing gap, or a new store opening. Call (647) 877-7834 for current availability in your area.
Ready to Get Started?
Secure Your Cannabis Retail Store
Share your store details and we'll deliver an AGCO-compliant security plan within 24 hours — covering staffing, compliance protocols, and loss prevention so you can focus on your business. Available across Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, Scarborough, Hamilton, and throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Speak to a StrategistDW Security Services provides AGCO-compliant cannabis retail security guard services across Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, Scarborough, Hamilton, and throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Ontario.
Whether you need concierge security for your retail front or temporary security guards for new store openings, our licensed security professionals are ready to protect your cannabis retail operation 24/7.