Medical Cannabis Getting A Free Pass During Covid

We’ve already reported on Canada, San Francisco, Oregon & Amsterdam and medical cannabis dispensaries getting permission to stay open, the exemptions go wider. It’s almost as though it’s easier to buy medical cannabis during the lockdown than it was beforehand

CALIFORNIA

City of Sacramento Email Update

Cannabis Services Considered Essential Services
The Office of Cannabis Management has received assurances this afternoon from Sacramento County that cannabis services are considered medical/health related, and therefore essential services under the March 19, 2020 Public Health Officer’s Order. For questions, please send us an email at cannabis@cityofsacramento.org

PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL TO RATIFY LOCAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION

The Palm Springs City Council Thursday is expected to ratify a local emergency declaration issued last weekend aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The declaration, issued Saturday by City Manager David Ready, paved the way for a series of emergency orders issued in recent days that have forced the closure of bars and night clubs, then gyms and cannabis lounges, culminating into a widespread shelter-in-place order approved by the council at an emergency meeting Tuesday that shuttered all nonessential businesses in Palm Springs effective 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Palm Springs City Council To Ratify Local Emergency Declaration

 

Vallejo City: Greg Nyhoff issues emergency orders for medical weed, evictions, and essential businesses

Allowing the city’s cannabis businesses to offer curbside pick-up of medical marijuana is one of three orders issued Wednesday by Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nyhoff’s orders also included keeping essential businesses open to the public, while limiting residential and business evictions in the city.

Nyhoff

The orders come just two days after the Vallejo City Council approved a proclamation declaring a local state of emergency as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The move also gives Nyhoff emergency powers as Vallejo’s director of emergency services.

“These three orders really help to keep the city safe,” Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan said by phone on Wednesday. “They also keep the city up and running.”

The city’s 11 cannabis storefront businesses are now allowed to “conduct curbside pick­-up of medical cannabis goods under video surveillance or under monitor of the retailer’s security personnel,” the order states. Retailers are still required to check a customer’s age under state law.

Nyhoff stated that such businesses are essential health care operations. His second order listed almost every type of business as essential, including grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits, businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals.

Greg Nyhoff issues emergency orders for medical weed, evictions, and essential businesses

COLORADO

Boulder Dispensary Receives First Weed Delivery Permit

MARCH 19, 2020

One of Colorado’s largest dispensary chains will be the first to implement medical marijuana delivery under a new state law…but only from one location.

The Native Roots Dandelion store just became the first dispensary in Colorado to receive a marijuana delivery license from the state Marijuana Enforcement Division, the MED confirms. But because local jurisdictions must approve delivery within their borders before it can take place, Native Roots drivers will be confined to the city where the Dandelion resides: Boulder.

https://www.westword.com/marijuana/boulder-dispensary-receives-colorados-first-marijuana-delivery-permit-11668985

 

NEVADA

Cannabis sales, deliveries increase as Nevadans stock up on pot amid COVID-19 isolation

Eggs? Check. Milk? Check. Weed? Check.

Nevadans are stocking up on marijuana along with the rest of their goods as they self-isolate in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While marijuana dispensaries remain open currently, both industry and state officials are encouraging consumers to order products remotely and have them delivered to their homes. State officials emphasized that shops are not allowed to have lines, waiting rooms filled with patrons or curbside service.

“It’s difficult because we are a more ‘affectionate’ dispensary,” said Ed Alexander, owner of Sol Cannabis in Washoe Valley.

As a business, shaking hands and hosting outdoor concerts has made the dispensary a more welcoming place, he said, but Alexander now is encouraging his clients to stay home and order deliveries of product. He’s seen a 25 percent jump in sales over the past few days.

https://www.rgj.com/story/news/marijuana/2020/03/19/cannabis-sales-deliveries-increase-nevadans-stock-up-pot/2871741001/

 

NEW YORK

Marijuana outlets win ‘essential’ status to stay open in coronavirus crisis

Medical marijuana outlets have won ‘essential’ status to stay open in New York and other states amid the coronavirus crisis.

Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order instructing non-essential businesses to establish telework policies by Friday.

But the state put pot dispensaries in the same “essential” category as grocery stores, media and banks that are permitted to stay open

https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-marijuana-cannabis-20200319-yd7iuhp4snghjnah5m3dduxipu-story.html

 

OREGON

March 19, 2020

Delivery, Curbside Pickup Rules Eased to Help

Applications Prioritized, Temporary Action Eases Delivery Requirements

Portland, OR — Today the Oregon Liquor Control Commission took action designed to ease the economic hardship faced by the hospitality industry as result of public health mandates to help stop the spread of the novel infectious coronavirus (COVID-19).  The Commission’s action relaxes some of the requirements relating to delivery of malt beverages, wine and cider by licensees who qualify for same-day delivery.

At its monthly meeting today the Commission approved emergency rules to enable licensees that currently have an Off-Premises license – or a license that includes Off-Premises Sales Privileges with Same-Day Delivery approval to make delivery of malt beverages, wine and cider to customers at curbside. Home delivery was already permissible, but with the Commission’s action today, the hours for same-day delivery of alcohol have been extended to 2:30 a.m.

Separately, Commission staff have created a streamlined application process for existing Limited On-Premises Sales and Full On-Premises Sales Licensees (restaurants & bars) to start selling malt beverages, wine and cider to go. Qualified licensees can apply for a “90-day Authority To Operate” (ATO) with an Off-Premises Sales license.

“We are looking to help our licensees – economically helping them get every dollar they can, but also administratively by giving them the tools they need,” said Steve Marks, OLCC Executive Director. “These are difficult times for all our industries, and we are looking across our licensee types to do what we can do to help business.”

Curbside delivery includes delivery to a location that is within 100 feet of the boundary of the licensed premises. Licensees can utilize e-commerce operators (beverage & food-delivery app couriers) for delivery provided that the e-commerce providers and the licensees comply with amended delivery rules and the temporary policy which can be located here OAR 845-006-0392 and OAR 845-006-0396.

Licensees seeking to apply for a 90-day ATO with an Off-Premises Sales license can begin the process online here. Statewide there are approximately 5500 eligible licensees for this license; the processing time for each application will vary and a timeframe for granting the ATO cannot be specified.

The Governor of Oregon declared an emergency under ORS 401.165 due to the public health threat posed by the novel infectious coronavirus (COVID-19). The Governor has ordered that immediate implementation of social distancing and community mitigation measures necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Governor’s March 17, 2020 Executive Order 20-07 further prohibits on-site consumption of food and drink at restaurants, bars, and similar establishments.   The penalty for failure to comply includes immediate suspension of the license of the licensed premises.

Licensees that have general questions about their license should contact Licensing Services at olcc.liquorlicenseapplication@oregon.gov.

Click here for the COVID-19 Temporary Changes: Off-Premises Sales & Delivery Fact Sheet

Go to OLCC’s Business Continuity Information web page

CANADA

Group calls on provinces to ‘immediately remove barriers’ to same-day weed delivery

The Consumer Choice Center (CCC) wants the rest of Canada’s provinces to join Saskatchewan and Manitoba in allowing the same-day delivery of cannabis.

Self-described champions of lifestyle freedom and innovation, the group noted that weed should not be excluded from the extensive list of everyday items consumers can have brought to their front door, especially in the time of COVID-19.

“Consumers can order household products, food and alcohol for same-day delivery,” said David Clement, North American affairs manager for the CCC. “It is silly to prohibit same-day cannabis delivery from licensed retailers,” Clement said.

“With the exception of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, cannabis consumers are left waiting days for Canada Post to deliver online orders. Provincial governments should immediately remove the legal barriers for same-day delivery from licensed retailers.”

https://lfpress.com/cannabis-news/group-calls-on-provinces-to-immediately-remove-barriers-to-same-day-weed-delivery/wcm/93e20974-520f-47ea-9a31-4d3cd5cde897

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