Explore Reasons Why Weed Dispensaries Are Needed During This Global COVID-19 Pandemic
Medical marijuana has been slowly moving away from the stigma of an 84-year prohibition period. The plant-based treatment has officially moved back into the mainstream world between the CBD market's success for non-intoxicating wellness products and now the essential business designation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Win for the Marijuana Industry
Medical cannabis has been fighting an uphill battle for 84 years for legitimacy. The change began with the first medical dispensary in San Francisco in 1994. Soon California state followed with the Compassionate Care Act in 1996. As of 2020, 36 states and four territories have legal medicinal programs, and 15 states and three territories have adult-use recreational marijuana. In North America, both of America's border countries have legal adult recreational cannabis and medical programs.
In both Canada and the U.S., recreational pot sales have also been deemed essential. This change put cannabis retailers and liquor stores on equal footing. Not being classified with non-essential businesses for recreational or medical marijuana is a win for all workers, patients, and consumers in the industry.
Medical Marijuana is an Essential Health Care Service
Pharmacies and medical providers are essential. The medical cannabis industry is critical to public health. Thousands of patients throughout the U.S. need their plant-based medicines to function without pain, sleep, improve mood, increase appetite, and help with many other medical conditions. The general idea is you can't deny people a legal health treatment that enhances their quality of life, even during a global pandemic.
Keeping Patients Safe & Off the Black Market For Marijuana Sales
Patients that don't have access to the legal industry don't stop buying cannabis products. They go to the black market. These options were part of the reason for the push towards cannabis legalization.
The unregulated portion of the marijuana industry has no safety regulations. More often than not, these cannabis producers are out to make a dollar and will throw caution to the wind. The legal marijuana industry has checks and balances that keep patients and recreational users safe. Cannabis companies follow strict regulations from seed to sale that include third-party testing.
Extended Services for Medical Cannabis Patients During the Pandemic
Making medical cannabis businesses essential during the coronavirus outbreak added a few more options to help with social distancing in Los Angeles and throughout states with medical marijuana laws. Additional changes in the process, such as online orders, parking lot pickups, and cannabis delivery services, quickly spread. State and county regulators agree these have been excellent at keeping up with social distancing measures that protect everyone in the industry. Business have expanded to serve more THC and CBD.
A side benefit for the legal industry is cannabis stock values have increased significantly over the past year.
States have also streamlined their medical marijuana card application and approval, which assists all businesses in the cannabis industry, from medical providers that help patients to legal pot retailers. Find out today how you can take advantage of safe, legal sales at your local medical dispensary.
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