Coronavirus: US states consider cannabis dispensaries «essential businesses»

The coronavirus pandemic arrives in the United States. As in Europe, non-essential businesses are reducing their opening hours or closing. And if cannabis dispensaries are currently very busy, Under the new law, each state can choose to continue or stop cannabis sales. Although there are no common rules, American states generally consider them to be «essential businesses», and ask that they be allowed to continue operating while adapting to the new situation.

Politico journalist Natalie Fertig was able to confirm that the cannabis dispensaries New York State will be able to continue to open. In the same thread, she adds that Illinois has also issued rules for the continuity of medical cannabis sales, which can now be conducted outside the store, on the sidewalk or store parking lot, but only for patients with cannabis-based treatment.

Update: I received more specifics from NY State. If non-essential businesses are forced to close statewide, registered medical marijuana dispensaries *will* be considered essential businesses. https://t.co/9rTNgaEG65

- Natalie Fertig (@natsfert) March 17, 2020

To limit exposure to the virus, the state of Michigan has decided to authorize all dispensaries to deliver cannabis and to sell take-away outside dispensaries. Approximately 15 cannabis retailers and 66 medical cannabis dispensaries can now make home deliveries. The Cannabis Regulatory Agency has also temporarily removed the requirement to have ID with the same address as the delivery location, and is committed to processing delivery service license applications for businesses already licensed to sell within 48 hours.

In Washington State, cannabis sellers are also not required to close, However, they will have to sell outside the dispensary walls, while remaining on their own property. Only holders of a medical cannabis authorization will be able to buy supplies.

In California, it's more interpreting instructions. An ordinance published Monday afternoon provided a list of essential services that could remain open, including medical facilities, leaving room for interpretation regarding dispensaries, which straddle the line between recreational and medical, with many residents nonetheless relying on cannabis for treatment and pain relief.

Application will be county by county. Some, like Santa Cruz, have announced that they will allow cannabis dispensaries to continue operating on a delivery or takeaway basis. Others, like San Jose, will serve medical customers only.

San Francisco's Department of Health has decided to allow the city's dispensaries to continue to serve. Los Angeles had not yet decided at the time of writing.

Cannabis is an essential medicine for many San Francisco residents. Dispensaries can continue to operate as essential businesses during this time, while practicing social distancing and other public health recommendations.

- SFDPH (@SF_DPH) March 17, 2020