Protecting Cannabis Patients During A Pandemic

A Dispensary’s Guide to COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak has temporarily reshaped daily life and will forever change how we deal with deadly diseases. During this time of high anxiety and uncertainty, it has never been more imperative to take precautionary measures than now. Although many companies are closing their doors to prevent the spread of COVID-19, medical marijuana dispensaries must remain open to provide patients with medicine.

Outlined below are what most dispensaries are doing to remain open while ensuring the safety of patients and employees:

1. In-Store Patient Limit: Limit the number of patients allowed inside the dispensary at any given time. Depending on the size of the dispensary, some dispensaries are only allowing 10 people inside at any given time. This will allow for dispensaries to follow cleanliness and social distancing guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

2. Offer Discounts: Offer discounts to patients when they place orders through an online system, by phone, Leafly or with a delivery service. Once a patient arrives, have them check-in and wait in their car. When the order is ready, they will receive a text to finish the order inside. Dispensaries prefer to have their products delivered with a delivery service to encourage patients to stay at home per CDC requests.

3. Improve Cleanliness: Implement frequent sanitizing and disinfectant practices throughout the dispensary and issue a no-touch policy including the touching, smelling and handling of bud jars.

4. Stay Home: Advise employees that feel ill or have had a fever within the past 24 hours to stay home until better. Any employees that feel ill or have a fever, are required to be tested for COVID-19 and may not return to work until test results are given. Additionally, postpone or curtail all non-essential business travel during the time being. Any employees that have recently traveled should report this to their supervisor.

Dispensary’s and their employees are on the front line during this pandemic, providing for those in desperate need of medicine. In order to provide the utmost security for dispensary employees and patients, these guidelines should be followed at all times.