Marijuana Businesses Thrive Despite Coronavirus Crisis
Michigan marijuana shops will remain open during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to the Marijuana Regulatory Agency. While Michigan is ordering medical and recreational marijuana retail outlets to close, they are still able to make curbside and home delivery sales.
“In-person transactions within the licensed facility or establishment are prohibited. Additionally, licensees must comply with social distancing requirements for staff within the facilities and establishments,” says David Harns, MRA Spokesman.
On March 16th, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency committed to expediting requests for marijuana business home delivery authorization. The MRA also said it will temporarily allow medical provisioning centers and recreational retailers to make curbside sales, which wasn’t previously allowed.
Members of the Michigan marijuana industry sent Governor Gretchen Whitmer a letter on March 18, asking that she qualify marijuana as an essential item.
Executive Order 2020-21 prohibits all businesses and operations from requiring workers to leave their homes, unless said employees are necessary to sustain and protect life, or conduct basic operations. Businesses must determine which of their workers are necessary to conduct minimum basic operations.
Critical businesses identified in the executive order so far include: child care, health care, law enforcement, public safety, transportation, communication and information technology, manufacturing, hazardous materials, first responders, food and agriculture, energy, public utilities, financial services, and defense.
As the Coronavirus continues to spread, several states in the U.S. have decided to declare cannabis an essential good- the same category as groceries and traditional medications. The majority of Americans seem to agree with these decisions. Fifty-three percent of Americans believe marijuana dispensaries should be considered essential businesses.
But while many states are weed-friendly, the federal government is maintaining its anti-cannabis stance. The United States is excluding marijuana and hemp companies from its $2 trillion economic stimulus bill. Despite the lack of federal support, cannabis companies have continued to thrive in recent weeks. Most stocks are up substantially. Sales have hit record highs amid the novel virus outbreak. Michiganders seem to be stocking up on cannabis in preparation for the stay-at-home order, likely worried about a potential quarantine.
Michigan is smoking more marijuana than any other state during the coronavirus pandemic, one survey says. Quarantine caused by the global outbreak of COVID-19 is forcing people to find ways to entertain themselves. In Michigan, people are stocking up and lighting up.
According to a Twitter survey conducted by the health blog bodynutrition.org, Michigan residents are smoking marijuana more than any other state during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Analysts used trend software with Twitter data to come to this conclusion. More than 200,000 tweets since March 1 were tracked, specifically tweets and hashtags about using marijuana, including phrases such as “smoke marijuana,” and all related slang terms, were considered.
Michigan legalized adult-use marijuana in November 2018. The market and regulation has continued to develop and evolve ever since. Overall, the southernmost half of the United States has the most marijuana activity and use, with the exception of Michigan, which was the number one state.
While many people are preparing for the current pandemic by stocking up on toilet paper and canned goods, it seems that just as many have been stocking up on cannabis. Marijuana businesses are easily surviving during the currently diminished economy. If you are interested in opening your own marijuana facility during this time, check out our current listings HERE!
We at Bricks + Mortar Group wish you and your loved ones health and happiness during this trying time!