COVID-19 has initiated many new changes to society. Similar to how dining in restaurants has been replaced with drive-thru or pick-up food deliveries, cannabis businesses have evolved to dispense cannabis without requiring in-store purchases. In most states, cannabis can now be “temporarily” ordered online for pick-up or through the drive-thru, just like ordering a cheeseburger from a fast food restaurant. But are these changes truly temporary or could they be here to stay?
Colorado
The recent stay-at-home orders required citizens to only leave the house when necessary and only allowed companies to remain open if they were considered an essential business. But states varied on how they classified dispensaries throughout the U.S. For example, cannabis dispensaries in Colorado are considered “critical” retail businesses and were granted legal permission to stay open with minor restrictions. The most obvious restriction is that dispensaries can only offer medical cannabis or curbside delivery via phone or online purchases for recreational cannabis.
Nevada
The state of Nevada also has their own classification and restrictions for cannabis businesses. While dispensaries were considered essential, they enforced “stricter” regulations and prohibited access into these facilities by purchasers. As a result, the only way for dispensaries to continue operation was via delivery service. This minimizes person-to-person contact and meets the mandated requirement of direct delivery to purchasers only.
For Thrive Cannabis Marketplace in Las Vegas, deliveries before the COVID-19 outbreak were less than around a couple dozen per day. Now they are filling several hundred delivery orders per day. This has completely changed their work environment overnight and has required them to quickly adapt. Acres Cannabis, owned by Curaleaf, has officially started offering its own delivery service, but before that it used third party delivery services like many other dispensaries in the area due to increasing demand. Planet 13 dispensary offers a 24/7 delivery service and is still struggling to meet the high demands of its cannabis purchasers and their orders.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, dispensaries have been offering a “temporary” curbside pickup program since March 27th. This program was launched by the Cannabis Control Commission as a way to help keep their 67,700 medical marijuana patients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program allows medical cannabis patients to order their cannabis via phone and come pick their order up from an employee who brings it directly to them while waiting in the parking lot or hands it to them at the front door. The only time purchasers may enter the facility is when paying with cash. Many dispensaries are now offering debit or credit card payments instead of cash as another way to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Illinois
Illinois has also implemented a “temporary” curbside pickup program for medical cannabis preorders only. Once the program was legally approved, the state mandated cannabis dispensaries to abide to social distancing rules. Purchasers and employees have been required to remain 6 feet apart from one another to protect sensitive immune systems and limit the spread of the virus. Despite restrictions and a cannabis program in relative infancy, cannabis sales in the state continue to exceed expectations.
Overall, there are many benefits in the temporary transition to online and phone pick-up orders and delivery services. During these turbulent times, the option to pick-up pre-purchased cannabis or purchase through delivery services appears to be the safest and best alternative for everyone involved. For cannabis business owners, these options allow them to remain in business and removes the fear of temporary or permanent store closures. For purchasers who prefer to avoid social interaction, these services may entice them to purchase larger quantities or more frequently. Even though many of these services were only approved temporarily, many hope that pick-up and delivery options will remain. Although restrictions varied greatly by state, cannabis dispensaries have been given the opportunity to prove to the American people just how essential they really are.