State approves KC Cann Transport as first transportation company to operate

KC Cann Transport, based in Blue Springs, is Missouri’s first licensed transportation company approved to operate in the state of Missouri. Medical marijuana transportation facilities can provide transportation services to cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and dispensary facility licensees.

Led by veteran Kevin Schnell, KC Cann Transport will provide statewide services to the industry, including armed guard services for licensed facilities, armed/secure transport of product and currency, education and training of employees and third-party security operators and transportation specialists, and audits and evaluations of facilities’ policies, procedures, and security measures.

“We are very excited to have accomplished this goal. Having said that, we still have a long way to go,” Schnell said. “The industry is just taking off, and slowly, but until the business starts rolling in, we don’t want to get too excited. We are, however, off to a great start. We have been fortunate to secure business with some very reputable organizations and have spoken with many more. If all goes well, we will be able to provide many new security industry jobs to Missouri military and law enforcement veterans. In turn, this will help keep the medical marijuana industry safe and secure, as we set out to do. We are very excited to be part of this venture.”

KCCT provides armed transportation using a low-profile procedure that does not draw attention to its clients or its products.

The company employs protection specialists with backgrounds from the city, state, and federal police agencies, Military Special Operations such as U.S. Army Special Forces, U.S. Army Rangers and Marine Corps MARSOC, Airborne Infantry, Department of State (DoS) and Department of Defense (DoD) protection specialists. Many of their protection specialists possess Worldwide Protective Services (WPS) certifications, Secret and Top-Secret clearances, and other protective services training and experience.

“We recruit, select and train only individuals whose orientation and motivation are in congruence with our Mission Statement; they must be mentally alert, physically strong, morally straight and tactically sound,” Schnell said. “We do not offer generic, pre-packaged services; rather, our services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. For this reason, our protection specialists are hand-picked to fill each assignment based on the needs of the customer and the unique characteristics and skillset of the protection specialist. We are committed to listening and responding to the needs of our clients and we take pride in our ability to exceed their expectations and surpass the quality of services of our competitors.”

Schnell has a decade of military experience. His titles include Infantry Staff Sergeant (SSG), reconnaissance Scout Observer, Airborne Ranger, Drill Sergeant, Presidential Escort, Pentagon Tour Director, and Master Fitness Instructor. Kevin was certified as a Combat Lifesaver (CLS) and held a Top Secret -Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS-SCI) security clearance for the duration of his military career. Kevin has managed tactical and garrison teams ranging from 5-60 personnel in various environments.

   

He has over 14 years of law enforcement experience in Missouri, working for the Kansas City, Belton, and Independence Police Departments. He has been assigned to patrol units, a proactive unit, an ATV team, a bicycle unit, and S.W.A.T. Kevin is certified as a Critical Incident Team (CIT) member and is well trained in defensive tactics and first aid. Kevin is trained in the Incident Command System and Emergency Management Response (ICS 100, 200, 700 & 800).

Since 2011, he has worked in the protective services industry and was an Honor Graduate of the 28-day Executive Security International protective services school in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2012. Schnell is also a co-owner of KC Protective Services LLC.

Read Schnell’s piece that appeared in Greenway Magazine in November 2019 here.

Kevin Schnell: Why I’m getting involved in the medical marijuana industry

Schnell said Project Manager & Instructor Eben Hall has been instrumental in getting the company across the finish line.

According to their website, Hall has “spent 26 years as leader, tactical officer and trainer for the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. He has held the position of team leader for the department’s Tactical Response Team as well as a patrol supervisor. While in this position he conducted high-risk warrant service and armed and barricaded subject resolution. During his career, he has focused his service as a SWAT team sniper and entry specialist. He has developed and implemented security plans for the protection of high-value targets to include stationery and transport protection. He received a Meritorious Service Award for his contributions to tactical operations. Eben is a member of the Metro Tactical Officers Association and provides advanced firearms training to area SWAT teams. He is the subject matter expert for the KCMTOA in police sniper operations.”