Adult-use cannabis dispensaries in Massachusetts that have been temporarily closed for the past two months as part of emergency orders to shut down nonessential businesses will be allowed to offer curbside pickup beginning Memorial Day.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker discussed his four-phase plan to reopen businesses in the state, one of the top five in the U.S. hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, during a press conference May 18. The plan is to reopen the economy slowly in phases, and as part of the first, retailers in the state can offer curbside pickup starting May 25.
Each phase will last a minimum of three weeks, though each has the potential of being extended, according to the “Reopening Massachusetts” report released by the Gov. Baker administration. Phase 2 includes guidance for nonessential retailers to reopen with “restrictions and some capacity limitations.”
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) released additional guidance after the announcement, referencing state resources for procedures to reopen safely. In addition to adult-use retailers, those licensed to cultivate, manufacture, process and test cannabis under the adult-use program are able to resume production as of May 18, following social distancing and safety guidelines from the state.
Adult-use cannabis dispensaries have been closed since March 24, when the nonessential business shutdown orders announced the day before took effect, while medical cannabis dispensaries in the state were deemed essential and allowed to continue operations while following social distancing guidelines.