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Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on the cannabis industry
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The 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic had a significant impact on the cannabis industry. Investor's Business Daily said the industry was affected as "customers stock up on prescriptions and recreational customers load up on something to make the lockdown a little more mellow or a little less boring". Europe Cannabis prices soared in France. The Netherlands' coffeeshops were initially closed, but later deemed essential businesses. In North Macedonia, construction of Pharmacon's 178,000-square-foot cannabis grow house slowed because of social distancing requirements. North America Canada Canada continued operating legal cannabis stores and saw sales increase. United States Many U.S. states with legal cannabis, where dispensaries were deemed "essential" businesses, saw sales increases. California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington all deemed cannabis businesses as such. U.S. cities issuing similar stances included Chicago, Denver, Some dispensaries had to lay off employees or reduce working hours. The decision to remain open in California drew criticism from those who thought a congregation of shoppers posed a risk of spreading virus. Sales in Denver on March 23, 2020 were up 392 percent over the same weekday prior to the stay-home order. A Reno delivery service saw a 400 percent increase in business after the state ordered in-person retail operations to close. Determination of retail store closures or remaining open as critical infrastructure or essential medical need was uneven in the U.S. states that had legalized sales. In Missouri, social distancing requirements may prevent organizers of a recreational marijuana legalization campaign from collecting signatures for ballot inclusion. Erik Altieri, the executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said, "Cannabis is a safe and effective treatment that millions of Americans rely on to maintain productive daily lives while suffering from diseases and ailments. It is the very definition of essential that these individuals can still access their medicine at this time." See Also
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