To reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, most governments have implemented lockdowns of varying degrees. People are encouraged to stay indoors unless they absolutely have to, public gatherings have been banned and all but the most essential businesses have been shut down for the time being. Essential businesses include supermarkets and grocery stores, pharmacies, and daycare centers.
To the delight of the patients and over 200,000 employees who rely on the industry, the cannabis industry has been deemed essential by a number of states. Cannabis is quite effective against stress, anxiety, and depression, after all. On top of that, a large portion of medical marijuana patients are senior citizens with underlying health issues, and it would be unwise to deprive them of their medication during such trying times.
According to Sabrina Fendrick, Chief Public Affairs Officer at the Berkeley Patients Group cannabis store, adaptability is a core trait in cannabis. And adaptability will be key for any cannabis business hoping to weather this storm.
Preventing congestion in your store ought to be your first move. The virus is transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and recent research suggests that simply breathing could do the trick. States like Colorado have okayed curbside pickups, where the customer stays in their vehicle and the employee comes out to transact with them. If you can afford it and have the infrastructure in place, home deliveries are also a great alternative.
Online purchases will also limit long lines. For instance, Mission Illinois, a Chicago-based store has switched to hourly reservation windows, and customers get a text informing them when it’s time to pick up their cannabis. According to Mission Illinois’ operator Kris Krane, the reservation system serves just as many customers, but with far fewer people gathering outside.
Ensuring employee safety is crucial too since half measures will absolutely not work against the virus. If possible, encourage them to work at home, and scale down the number to the most essential. At your brick and mortar location, keep them six feet apart as much as possible, and make sure there is good ventilation.
As Debby Goldsberry, operator of the Magnolia dispensary in Oakland, CA says, “No staffer shaking hands, hugging or bumping fists right now. If you do, follow hand cleaning procedures.”
Good hygiene is the best way to prevent new infections. And since patients seem healthy for a short period while still transmitting the virus, employees who are at the store need to be especially meticulous. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly or disinfect them with hand sanitizer and avoid touching your face.
At Mission Illinois, staff wear latex gloves and they disinfect surfaces on the hour and each night. Face masks are encouraged too since we’re still learning about the virus and it’s better to err on the side of caution. As the CDC has said, anything is better than nothing.
Experts believe that marijuana industry actors, such as Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF), are not taking any chances in this fight to keep employees and customers safe during this COVID-19 storm.
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