Cannabis Health Insider

Under a plan that was released by Gov.Charlie Baker on Monday, regarding the gradual restart of the economic activity in the state, sales could resume in cannabis dispensaries in Massachusetts, as early as next week.

The reopening plan is a four-phase plan and a variety of establishments will be allowed to offer curbside pick-up, beginning from May 25.

This announcement is a major development for cannabis store owners who either feared that the reopening of their stores would be delayed for a long period, or suffered from lost sales, ongoing rent payments, and other business expenses, while also unable to be allowed to file for federal small business assistance.

On March 24, a sweeping statewide shutdown went into effect for non-essential businesses, in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Ever since then, the pot shops that were given the restriction to only sell medical cannabis, are now included in the list.

Despite the closure of recreational cannabis stores, medical cannabis dispensaries were allowed to continue sales by the curbside pickup, with the compulsion of following social distancing guidelines between employees and customers.

Previously, the idea of keeping dispensaries open for the sales of recreational cannabis during the shutdown was dismissed by Gov. Charlie Baker. He held an argument that doing so, would lead to attracting visitors from around the region which could potentially worsen the situation by furthering the spread of the disease.

According to The Associated Press, Gov. Charlie Baker had reportedly said last month that there were significant numbers of customers who were not Massachusetts residents and would obtain cannabis from recreational dispensaries in Massachusetts. He further added that if the government were to make those sites available to anybody from the northeast, it would ultimately lead to going against the entire strategy that the government is trying to pursue.

In New England, Massachusetts is the only state that has allowed the opening of recreational cannabis dispensaries. Due to the statewide shutdown, the closure was forced on more than 40 licensed retail cannabis establishments.

However, Gov. Charlie Baker was sued by a group of dispensary owners, last month. They argued that the authority was exceeded by the governor, and there were violations of the constitutional rights of cannabis users due to the classification of the pot shops as non-essential, especially when similar regulated businesses, such as liquor stores, were granted permission to stay open. However, a superior court judge later sided with Gov. Charlie Baker.

Under the new guidance of the governor, in case of reopening, the development of a written plan is essential for the businesses that were not already deemed essential, in an attempt for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, posters on hygiene and social distancing for the customers and workers are important and must be displayed.

In the first phase of the plan, retail establishments are included. Moreover, In the second phase o the plan, shops could expand their operations. However, the governor has further warned that a spike in new COVID-19 infected cases could cause the state’s progress to slow down, or possibly reverse.

A cease and desist order was previously issued to adult-use cannabis operators in the state by the Cannabis Control Commission of the state, for the enforcement of the governor’s non-essential businesses shutdown.

While the order was amended last month, it allowed adult-use facilities to sell their products to medical cannabis shops during the public health emergency, which in turn was responsible for a 158% increase in patient applications.

There was no immediate response from the CCC to a request for comment from NBC10 Monday on the reopening plan of the governor.