More than two months after the Coronavirus appeared in Wuhan, China, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the virus a pandemic. With more than 180,000 infected and over 4,000 left dead in its wake, the virus doesn’t seem to be taking a break anytime soon. In fact, governments have started making contingency plans for the worst case scenarios, with experts predicting that up to 70% of Americans may be infected if no treatment is found.
As numerous states go into shutdown mode, people have been stocking up for an indeterminate period of self-isolation. Everything from non-perishable foods to cleaning supplies and drugs, everything is game. Michigan has started allowing curbside pickup at marijuana stores on a temporary basis in light of this prevailing scare.
The state has about 15 recreational marijuana stores and 66 medical marijuana dispensaries, and the Marijuana Regulatory Agency has encouraged medical marijuana patients and recreational customers to place delivery orders when possible.
The agency is lifting a requirement that anyone placing a marijuana order have an ID with the same address as the delivery location, and it has promised to process delivery service license requests for already licensed businesses within 48 hours.
“During a crisis like this, you really get to see if state governments are prepared or not, and in this case, our department is absolutely shining,” says Robin Schneider, Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Director. She also heads a marijuana trade organization with 200 licensed members, and she states that her members have asked for the ability to make curbside sales outside their businesses to limit personal contact.
“The curbside pickup is going to make a world of difference in order to protect the workers in this process,” she says.
“Customers may complete an order including payment for their product via the internet or they may place their order once parked at the facility. An employee from the licensed facility or adult-use establishment is permitted to complete the sales transaction by interacting with the customer in the parking lot and recording the necessary information into the statewide monitoring system,” states the Marijuana Regulatory Agency.
According to Schneider, marijuana sales have been spiking as retail establishments shut down. “There has been an increase of customers who are stockpiling both medical and recreational cannabis and sales are definitely up, just like other essentials.”
The measure allowing curbside pickups is temporary, and it will stay in place until the agency terminates it.
Experts believe that industry players like Round Meadow Holdings Corp. and SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING) are likely to welcome this proactive step taken by the authorities in Michigan amidst the Coronavirus crisis.
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor
CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com
CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.
