Window Film Solutions for the Cannabis Industry

In Canada, the cannabis industry is booming. Since becoming the second country in the world to legalize the production, use and sale of recreational cannabis, we have seen continued growth year after year, and it’s projected to continue.

According to the latest market insights by Chicago-based industry Brightfield Group, Canada’s cannabis market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 10 percent over the next five years to $8.8 billion.

As this industry continues to grow, there are many ways that cannabis dispensaries can improve their bottom line. One of those ways is by utilizing window film solutions.

In today’s blog, we’ll take a look at the multitude of ways 3M window films can benefit your cannabis dispensary – from increased security and privacy to improving your store’s overall aesthetic and energy costs. 

The Need for Effective Safety & Security at Cannabis Dispensaries 

With the expected growth of the cannabis industry comes an increased need for effective safety and security measures at cannabis retailers.

While there are several options on the market that offer protection from intrusion, theft and vandalism, there’s one deterrent that remains superior – 3M™ Security Window Films. 

What are 3M™ Security Window Films? 

3M™ Security and Safety Window Films make it much more difficult for criminals to gain access to your business. Made from clear polyester, the virtually invisible film is designed to make glass shatter-resistant by holding the glass in place when broken. This dramatically reduces the risk of shattered glass causing damage or harm to your store, employees and customers while also making unwarranted entry extremely difficult.

To do so, security window films are often made thicker than regular sun control films and feature a more aggressive adhesive system.

Benefits of 3M™ Security and Safety Window Film 

• Extremely cost-effective – More affordable than security glazing
• Creates an invisible layer of glass security
• Provides an extremely strong barrier that is difficult to penetrate
• If shattered, the film holds shards of glass in place
• Protects from smash and grabs, burglary, and vandalism
• Easily applied to any glass surface without affecting the appearance of the glass
• Provides more time for people to react to unexpected attacks
• Gives security and authorities more time to arrive 

How can Window Film Increase Security? 

Windows are the most vulnerable point of entry in most retail stores, including cannabis dispensaries. Most burglars know this and as a result, often take advantage of these susceptible areas with “smash and grab” thefts. Fortunately, strengthening them with 3M™ Security Window Films can help by delaying entry long enough to deter potential intruders. This delay also provides ample time for security guards and police to respond.

To highlight just how effective window film is at deterring forced entry, 3M held a demonstration comparing its renowned Safety and Security Window Film Ultra S600 to a pane of glass without any installed film. In the demonstration, the glass door with the installed 3M™ Safety and Security film took a full 45 seconds to break through. The door without window film, on the other hand, only held off the intruder for a mere 3 seconds, proving that a glass surface with 3M™ Safety and Security window film is a successful deterrent against smash-and-grab burglaries. 

But did you know that security window films can do a lot more than just protect your windows and doors? Thanks to their invisible layer of protection and glass-shatter resistance, they can also be utilized to protect products shown in glass display cases. This is especially beneficial for dispensaries where cannabis products are legally required to be stored securely at all times.

By installing 3M™ Security films on windows, doors and other glass surfaces you can greatly reduce the likelihood of thefts, both during and after operating hours. 

Improve the strength of your security film with impact protection

If you’re looking for the strongest level of protection to secure your cannabis dispensary, we have just the thing– the 3M™ Impact Protection Attachment System.

The attachment system is a combination of 3M™’s Ultra Safety and Security Window Films and the 3M™ Impact Protection Adhesive. Together the micro-layer safety film and the world-class adhesive form an extremely durable layer that protects and strengthens the glass in the event of a break-in. 

Additional 3M™ Window Film Solutions suitable for your dispensary 

Security films aren’t the only type of window film that can provide benefits for your retail location. At Convenience Group, we offer several other window films that can improve the overall aesthetic of your store, protect against vandalism, and reduce energy costs.

Ensure products are hidden from the public with 3M™ Privacy Window Films 

In Canada, the Cannabis Act states that cannabis products and/or cannabis accessories must not be displayed in a way that can be witnessed by a minor. This forces store owners to take whatever measures necessary to ensure merchandise cannot be seen from the store’s exterior, like specifically arranging display units and orchestrating unique aisle placement. But doing so may disrupt the feng shui of your store, hindering your business and customers’ experiences.

With 3M™ Privacy Window Films, you can ensure compliance with the Cannabis Act and improve the overall aesthetics of your dispensary. Whether you choose the 3M™ Mirror Privacy Film for a one-way mirror effect or opt for something more subtle and elegant with the 3M™ White Matte Privacy Film, you can ensure enhanced privacy without sacrificing natural light.

Making your windows harder to see through with 3M™ Privacy Window Film also improves the safety and security of your store – if potential intruders can’t see what’s inside, they won’t be enticed to break in. 

Protect your Store from Vandalism with 3M™ Anti-Graffiti Film 

Maintaining the appearance of your store is crucial to business. Customers who witness graffiti sprawled across a storefront may assume the space is run-down, dirty, or not well-tended, and as a result, avoid coming inside. To avoid this hit to business, it’s of utmost importance that you tackle the issue of vandalism as soon as it surfaces. 3M™ Anti-Graffiti Film provides a protective barrier between the surface and the vandalism, protecting the glass surface against graffiti before it even begins.

If windows are “tagged” and are without anti-graffiti window film, chances are they’ll need to undergo a deep cleaning or be replaced before your business can return to normal. With anti-graffiti film, however, you can simply peel off the graffitied layer and return to business as usual.

Here at Convenience Group, we offer the optically clear, distortion-free 3M™ Anti-Graffiti Film in two thicknesses, one suitable for low-risk situations and the other for high-risk situations. Both films can be utilized in interior and exterior applications.

3M™ Anti-Graffiti Window Film Product Benefits: 

• Gouge Resistant: Helps repel intentional attempts to gouge, deface, or destroy surfaces
• Acid-etch Resistant: Helps protect glass from permanent damage caused by glass etching solutions
• Scratch Resistant: Helps resist scratching and abrasion caused by sharp objects or devices
• Clean Removability: Adheres clearly and firmly to glass surfaces, but can be removed leaving little or no residue
• Indoor/Outdoor Use: May be applied to either interior or exterior locations such as glass, windows, and mirrors
• Easy to Use: Easy to apply and clean without the use of harmful and abrasive chemicals 

Reduce energy costs & improve comfort with 3M™ Window Films 

Today, it’s become routine for retailers to modify their spaces to increase comfort in hopes of encouraging customers to spend more time in-store. After all, how much customers buy is a direct result of how long they spend in-store. In fact, research shows that when customers spend 6 minutes browsing, it typically results in increased sales.

As this trend continues, products that increase comfort are becoming increasingly important for retail stores, and nothing improves comfort better than 3M™ Sun Control and Security Combination Window Films.

3M™ Sun Control & Security Combination Films can optimize your dispensary

Once installed, 3M™ Sun Control and Security Combination Films can provide several benefits to your cannabis dispensary: 

Energy Cost Savings 

Energy used for heating and air conditioning is a major expense for any retailer, especially with the increase in energy prices. 3M™ Sun Control and Security Combination Films can reduce heating and air-conditioning costs by rejecting up to 78 percent of the total solar energy and reducing peak power demand during the hottest periods of the day.

More specifically, they can reduce air-conditioning loads by up to one ton for every 100 square feet of glass in the warmer months and retain up to 30 percent of radiant heat that would have been lost through the glass in the colder months.

3M Window film is a simple and cost-effective retrofit that can boost your dispensaries’ overall energy efficiency. 

Optimal comfort for employees and customers 

Glare can be irritating to customers browsing through your store. Allow customers to shop in peace by installing 3M™ Sun Control and Security Combination Films. These window films reduce glare and heat gain while providing security and impact resistance for smash-and-grab crimes. 

Protection from harmful UV Rays

If left unfiltered, the natural light seeping through your storefront can cause fading and sun damage to your furniture, carpets, floors, and inventory.

Protect your assets with the combination film 3M™ Ultra Prestige PR S70. The film is designed to offer the security protection your cannabis dispensary needs all while reducing the effects of solar heat and fading. It even blocks and filters up to 99 percent of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, which are the single largest cause of fading. 

Spruce up your storefront with 3M Large Format Graphic Solutions 

Whether you’re seeking a lasting architectural effect for your dispensary, or a temporary but memorable promotion graphic, 3M window films can help. 

Large Format Signage & Graphics 

More often than not, retail stores have hundreds of square feet of unused display space. Why not take advantage of this unused wall space and showcase your brand? With custom large format signage and graphics, you can draw attention to your storefront or business and promote your brand.

Large-format building advertisements can seamlessly enhance the exterior of your dispensary with powerful signage, logo treatments and messaging.

Thermoformed vinyl graphics, specifically, provide the ultimate flexibility. This type of signage is extremely durable and can be used to create crisp photographic-quality images and graphics as large as you design. They can be applied just about anywhere, from indoors on your floors or outdoors on textured surfaces like brick and concrete.

With hundreds of superior quality 3M graphic films and coloured films available, the possibilities to attract customers and promote your business are endless. 

Interior Signage & Graphics 

Don’t forget about the inside! Interior graphics can provide your dispensary with visual intrigue and style. Whether you choose from standard shapes and patterns or work with our 3M Window Film experts to create a custom-designed film that is unique to your brand, you can aesthetically enhance your store’s appearance to ensure a great first impression.

With interior films, you can expect to dramatically boost the visual impact of your store by bringing your creative ideas to life. And the Convenience Group team will be here to help you every step of the way – from the design and production to expert installation.

Benefits of Interior & Exterior Signage and Graphics 

To summarize, here are a few of the main benefits that signage and graphics can bring to your cannabis dispensary:

• Draw street-level attention to your business
• Aesthetically enhance your brand and retail presentation
• Deliver your visual message powerfully with crisp, large-format photographs
• Apply graphics to surfaces like floors and brick walls
• Bring all your creative ideas to life

Discover Window Film Solutions for your Dispensary with Convenience Group 

When it comes to your business, you don’t want to take any chances. That’s why you need to trust the best window film dealer in the business.

As an authorized 3M Window Film dealer who has been providing window film solutions for both commercial and residential applications across Canada for over 45 years, you can trust us to provide your business with leading-edge innovative products, highly experienced consulting, superior design, and expert installation.

Whether you’re seeking solar film for sun control, privacy, security and safety film, decorative graphic film for windows and textured surfaces or large-format digital print capabilities, Convenience Group will take the time to ensure you feel confident in your window film selection.

Our team of experienced professionals is here to help you find the right window film solutions for your cannabis dispensary. Contact us today by filling out the following form or giving us a call at 416-233-6900. We look forward to working with you on your next project.