Cannabis businesses declared essential during the coronavirus outbreak are hoping to leverage newly allowed flexibility such as curbside pickup and home delivery into permanent ways of doing business.
They also believe this is an ideal opportunity to seek additional regulatory relief and other reforms to help fend off challenges related to the economic downturn resulting from COVID-19.
The emboldened marijuana industry also hopes to accelerate legalization efforts, especially given that states are becoming financially strapped amid economic shutdowns related to coronavirus.
“Cannabis is going to be an important part of the economic recovery. … I think, first and foremost, is tax revenue,” Adam Goers, vice president of corporate affairs for New York-based multistate operator Columbia Care, said during a recent media briefing sponsored by the Cannabis Information Project.
The Cannabis Information Project is made up of 12 of the largest marijuana operators in North America, with a mission that includes communicating the benefits of the industry to the public, regulators and other cannabis stakeholders.