Coronavirus and Cannabis – What You Need to Know
We’ve all been impacted by coronavirus by now. Whether we’re in full quarantine or simply self-isolating or still going to work as an essential employee, coronavirus has changed our day-to-day lives. And many of us are wondering: how is coronavirus going to impact my cannabis consumption? Can I still access my legal products? Will the dispensaries be open? Is it even safe to smoke or vape cannabis, given that coronavirus is a respiratory illness? Those are all good questions and we’ll answer them all. Keep reading.Cannabis is an Essential Industry
The cannabis industry has made great strides in the last few years, going from illegal to what many states consider an essential industry, along with supermarkets, law enforcement, and hospitals. As of March 30, 2020, the following states consider cannabis an essential industry and the following types of businesses are allowed to continue operations:- California – state-licensed cannabis companies
- Colorado – medical and recreational cannabis vendors
- Connecticut – medical cannabis dispensaries and producers
- Delaware – medical cannabis dispensaries
- Hawaii – medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation centers
- Illinois – state-licensed cannabis growers and retailers
- Louisiana – the entire medical cannabis supply chain
- Massachusetts – licensed medical cannabis retailers
- Michigan – licensed medical and recreational cannabis businesses may operate if they offer curbside or delivery service
- Minnesota – both medical cannabis companies
- Montana – all state-licensed medical cannabis businesses
- New Hampshire – all five state-licensed dispensaries
- New Jersey – all medical marijuana dispensaries
- New Mexico – medical cannabis businesses
- New York – all licensed medical cannabis businesses
- Ohio – all licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and growers
- Oklahoma – all medical cannabis businesses
- Oregon– licensed medical cannabis retailers may continue to operate through curbside service (no official “essential industry” list exists for Oregon.)
- Pennsylvania – medical cannabis dispensaries may offer service through curbside pickup service
- Vermont – medical cannabis dispensaries
- Washington (State) – all licensed cannabis businesses may sell both medical and recreational products through curbside pickup service