Earthquakes Strike Without Warning — Why Cannabis Businesses Must Prepare Now

Unlike hurricanes or severe storms, earthquakes provide little to no advance warning. Their sudden onset and violent shaking can cause immense structural damage, harm to employees, and business interruption in just a matter of seconds. For cannabis businesses—already operating under intense regulatory scrutiny and thin profit margins—the stakes are even higher.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), around 40% of small businesses never reopen after a major disaster. That number may be even higher for cannabis operators, who face additional challenges like license restrictions, cash-heavy operations, and insurance limitations. Preparedness is not optional—it’s essential.

This guide offers actionable steps cannabis businesses can take to prepare for earthquakes before they strike, respond effectively during the shaking, and recover operations quickly afterward.

Before the Quake: Building a Comprehensive Earthquake Emergency Plan

For cannabis businesses to survive an earthquake, they must be proactive. Preparation involves more than having a few supplies on hand. It requires building three crucial plans: a Critical Incident Response Plan, a Disaster Recovery Plan, and a Business Continuity Plan.

Critical Incident Response Plan: Empower Employees to Act Fast

This plan prepares your team for immediate action when the earth starts shaking. Train all employees using the well-established FEMA method: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

• Drop to your hands and knees to avoid falling and injuring yourself.
  
• Cover your head and neck with your arms. Seek shelter under a sturdy desk or table. Avoid glass, heavy fixtures, or unstable furniture.
  
• Hold On to something solid until the shaking stops. Do not move until you’re sure it’s safe.
  

Regularly conduct tabletop exercises to simulate earthquake scenarios. This builds muscle memory and reduces panic during a real emergency. A thorough tabletop session should last two to three hours and explore roles across departments:

• Facilities: Evaluate building integrity, backup power systems, and safe zones.
  
• HR: Establish policies for employee alerts, medical aid access, and emergency leave.
  
• Communication: Set up multi-channel systems for real-time emergency updates and coordination with first responders.
  

These exercises ensure all teams understand their responsibilities and decision-making hierarchies during a quake.

During the Quake: Reacting Effectively to Save Lives

When an earthquake hits, there is no time to strategize—only time to react.

If your team is trained in Drop, Cover, and Hold On, they’ll know what to do instantly. It’s vital to stay indoors and away from windows, tall shelves, and hanging light fixtures. Many injuries during earthquakes happen when people try to run instead of taking cover.

Make sure emergency supply kits are accessible in every area of your facility. These should include flashlights, batteries, radios, water, and first aid materials. Assign safety officers or floor wardens who know how to check for immediate dangers, assist the injured, and begin initial damage assessments.

After the Quake: Recovery, Shelter, and Employee Support

Earthquakes often lead to aftershocks—sometimes more damaging than the original quake. Your Disaster Recovery Plan should account for extended periods of instability and offer steps to protect your people and your property.

Sheltering in Place: Prepare for 72 Hours of In-House Support

Cannabis businesses must prepare to shelter employees on-site for up to three days if needed. This means stocking:

• Food and clean water
  
• Sanitary supplies (toilets, hand sanitizer, etc.)
  
• Sleeping materials and blankets
  
• Communication devices and power backups
  

This preparation is especially vital for cultivation facilities located in rural or hard-to-access regions. Don’t forget the emotional and psychological toll on employees trapped in a disaster situation—include stress management resources and protocols for post-trauma check-ins.

Safe Evacuation: Move with Caution and Purpose

Once it’s deemed safe to exit the building, your team must move calmly and follow a pre-established evacuation protocol. Don’t assume going outside is always the safest choice—aftershocks and structural collapses can still pose threats.

Conduct post-quake building safety checks before allowing employees or customers to return. Designate safe zones both indoors and outdoors, and be ready to offer first aid or mental health support for anyone in distress.

Getting Back to Business: Your Earthquake Business Continuity Plan

The third pillar of earthquake preparedness is the Business Continuity Plan (BCP)—a blueprint for how your business will function in the days, weeks, or months following a major earthquake.

Assessing Damage and Continuing Operations

The BCP should identify:

• Maximum Tolerable Downtime (MTD): How long can you be non-operational before risking failure?
  
• Recovery Point Objectives (RPO): What data, inventory, and systems must be restored first?
  
• Recovery Time Objectives (RTO): How quickly can these resources be reinstated?
  

Include these essential strategies:

• Alternative Office Locations: Secure a remote workspace for continued operations.
  
• Supply Chain Notifications: Update partners and vendors on delays or changes.
  
• Flexible Staffing: Enable work-from-home options, staggered shifts, or temp labor solutions.
  
• Public Communications: Prepare a messaging plan for customers, patients, regulators, and the press.
  
• Insurance Claims: Ensure documentation is ready for quick filing with your insurer.
  

Many cannabis businesses say it would take them over three months to recover fully from a disaster. Yet, some clients and supply chain partners now require a verified BCP before doing business with you. Insurance underwriters also view continuity plans as a necessity, not a bonus.

The High Cost of Not Preparing: Earthquakes Threaten Long-Term Viability

It’s easy to assume your business won’t be affected by an earthquake—until it is. From California to Oregon, Washington to Nevada, and increasingly across other seismic zones, cannabis companies are exposed to this risk.

If your operation lacks a plan, you’re gambling with your employees’ safety, your license, and your livelihood.

Start Your Earthquake Preparation Today: Small Steps, Big Difference

Time is of the essence. Build your Critical Incident Response, Disaster Recovery, and Business Continuity plans today. Make earthquake drills part of your annual risk mitigation practices. Ensure every employee knows what to do, who to call, and where to go.

Working with a specialized cannabis risk management firm can help you tailor your plans to meet industry-specific requirements. Whether you’re a dispensary, grower, distributor, or vertically integrated operator, your needs are unique—and your earthquake plans should reflect that.

Earthquakes last seconds. But the damage can last years. Preparation is your most powerful tool.

Stay safe. Stay resilient. And make readiness part of your cannabis business DNA.