Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cannabis industry

Canada continued operating legal cannabis stores and saw sales increase.[14][15][16]

A cannabis dispensary in Portland, Oregon's Woodstock neighborhood with social distancing signage

Many U.S. states with legal cannabis, where dispensaries were deemed "essential" businesses,[17][18] saw sales increases.[19][20][21] California,[22] Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan,[23] New Jersey, New Mexico,[24] New York,[25] Ohio,[26] Oregon, and Washington all deemed cannabis businesses as such.[27][28] U.S. cities issuing similar stances included Chicago,[29] Denver,[29] and San Francisco.[25] Stocks for cannabis companies saw increases following reports of the increased demand.[30]

Some dispensaries had to lay off employees or reduce working hours.[31] The decision to remain open in California drew criticism from those who thought a congregation of shoppers posed a risk of spreading virus.[32] Santa Clara County eliminated take-out service on April 2.[33]

Sales in Denver on March 23, 2020 were up 392 percent over the same weekday prior to the stay-home order.[34] A Reno delivery service saw a 400 percent increase in business after the state ordered in-person retail operations to close.[35] 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.[36]

While states that had an established local customer base generally saw an increase in sales, other states where marijuana sales were closely linked with tourism suffered. Markets such as Las Vegas and Massachusetts were hit particularly hard.[37] The sale of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts was generally prohibited by Governor Charlie Barker during the outbreak, with Massachusetts becoming the only state that has legalized marijuana to prohibit it during the pandemic.[38]

In Massachusetts, the Cannabis Control Commission paused the sale of recreation cannabis fearing an influx of out-of-state buyers[39] and following a large increase in registrations by new medical patients and to study the supply chain.[40][41] Five dispensaries and a medical cannabis patient sued Governor Charlie Baker over the closures.[42]

Ann Arbor, Michigan's annual Hash Bash festival was held online.[43] In Missouri, social distancing requirements may prevent organizers of a recreational marijuana legalization campaign from collecting signatures for ballot inclusion.[44]

University of Miami researchers are studying the pandemic's impact on the industry, as of April 2020.[45] Cannabis legalization efforts were paused in multiple U.S. states.[46]

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."[47]

Leafly launched a cannabis delivery service for Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Oregon.[48] Lantern launched a cannabis delivery service for Massachusetts and Michigan.[49]

Controversial and cumbersome licensing processes within California cities and counties may be lessened and more opportunities created as local leadership struggle with COVID related budgets shortfalls, unemployment and lower commercial occupancy rates. [50] Many dispensaries began offering drive-thru services [51][52]