Minnesota Extends Medical Cannabis Enrollments for Patients to Limit Spread of COVID-19
Enrollments in the state’s medical cannabis program are extended until Aug. 1 or 60 days after the state’s peacetime emergency ends, whichever is later.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order March 31 that extends medical cannabis enrollments for patients to limit the spread of COVID-19, according to an INFORUM report.
Patient enrollments are extended until Aug. 1 or 60 days after Minnesota’s peacetime emergency ends, whichever is later, the news outlet reported.
Walz’s order also allows patients to send a caregiver to pick up their medical cannabis products, and dispensaries may offer curbside pickup. Those seeking enrollment in the program can consult remotely with a medical provider under the order, according to INFORUM.
The changes are aimed at keeping patients at home and slowing the spread of coronavirus in the state, which had 629 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of March 31, INFORUM reported.
Coronavirus Could Jeopardize Campaign to Place Cannabis Legalization Initiative on Missouri’s November Ballot: Legalization Watch
Missourians for a New Approach was on pace to meet its campaign goals until COVID-19 halted efforts to gather signatures for its petition.
Missourians for a New Approach is up against a May deadline to collect enough signatures for a petition to place an adult-use cannabis legalization initiative on Missouri’s November ballot, but the coronavirus pandemic could very easily spell doom for these efforts, according to Dan Viets, who chairs the campaign’s advisory board.
“It’s become much more difficult,” Viets tells Cannabis Business Times. “It’s causing major concerns. We have until the first week of May to gather 160,000 voter signatures. We have more than 60,000 in hand, but given the fact that petitioning is now much more difficult, we’re reassessing whether it’s going to be possible to accomplish this or not this year.”
Prior to the nationwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign was on schedule, gathering signatures at a rate that would have allowed Missourians for a New Approach to meet the deadline with more than the required number of signatures, Viets says.
Missouri law requires those who wish to place an initiative on the ballot to gather signatures in six—and only six—of the state’s eight congressional districts.
“The first thing that every campaign has to do is pick out two districts where you’re not going to gather signatures, and signatures from those districts simply won’t count toward the total,” Viets says. “Then, you have a minimum in each of those six districts. In essence, you’re running six different campaigns and you have to meet the minimum in each of those six districts.”
“It’s never easy, but we were on course to accomplish it,” he adds. “We accomplished it two years ago, when we passed medical marijuana here. We were on course to do it again until the response to the coronavirus eliminated public gatherings. When you eliminate public gatherings, you eliminate the most useful opportunities to gather signatures efficiently and effectively.”
Missouri law does not allow for the electronic collection of signatures, but Missourians for a New Approach is currently assessing other options to keep the campaign afloat.
“We’ve already invested lots of work and time and money, but we don’t want to continue if it’s just not possible,” Viets says.
The initiative itself is 15 pages of language based largely on Missouri’s medical cannabis law, as well as elements that other states have implemented in their adult-use cannabis programs.
“We’ve used our opportunity to see what has worked and what has not worked well in other states, and we’ve tried to make the most of that opportunity,” Viets says.
The measure allows for a minimum number of business licenses issued for cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries and testing facilities. It does not set a maximum number of licenses, but it does allow the state to set a limit on licenses above certain minimums, Viets says. The proposal also allows medical cannabis licensees to apply for adult-use licenses, as well.
In addition, the initiative permits personal cultivation, so Missourians could grow their own cannabis plants at home for personal use.
The measure is a constitutional amendment instead of a statutory initiative; statutory initiatives can be revised by the state legislature, and Missourians for a New Approach feared that lawmakers would render the measure unworkable should voters pass it this fall.
“It takes far fewer signatures here in Missouri to put a statutory initiative on the ballot than it does to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot, but just as we did with medical marijuana, we are absolutely convinced that only a constitutional amendment makes sense,” Viets says. “If we pass a statutory initiative, the legislature will not hesitate to immediately gut it, cut it to shreds, repeal it. They’ve done that with other issues and we’ve no doubt they’d do that with this, as well. So, we had no reason to even consider anything other than a constitutional amendment, which of course is immune to tinkering by the legislature.”
Missouri is still working to implement the medical cannabis initiative that voters approved in 2018, but there are now more than 40,000 patients enrolled in the program, Viets says, and patients are allowed to grow their own cannabis until dispensaries open. The commercial market is expected to launch sometime this summer.
The legislature is essentially shut down, however, as the state deals with the coronavirus outbreak.
“It’s essentially as it is across the nation—so-called ‘non-essential’ businesses are closed,” he says. “That is interpreted in different ways in different places, but there’s a very low level of public activity—no public meetings, very little traffic and very little opportunity for petitioning, unfortunately.”
While reaching its signature goal may seem impossible amid the current chaos, Missourians for a New Approach has not formally suspended the campaign yet, and Viets vows that the effort will be back if it does perish in the wake of COVID-19.
“If we can’t accomplish it this year, we will very likely be back in 2022."
Photo courtesy of Platinum
For Platinum’s George Sadler, Cannabis Businesses Carry Great Responsibility as Essential Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis
The vape manufacturer has taken steps to keep its supply chain running smoothly amid the outbreak, and is using its advantages to keep employees working and customers satisfied.
After being deemed essential businesses in many states, cannabis companies have been busier than ever amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and product manufacturers like Platinum are no exception.
Co-founder George Sadler says it’s business as usual for the California-based company, which produces vapes and edibles for sale in California, Michigan and Oklahoma.
In early March, Platinum foresaw potential supply shortages for its vape cartridge hardware and batteries, which are produced in China. The company secured a large volume of these items from a United States-based supplier to avoid interruptions in the supply chain, which has proven to be a large advantage, Sadler tells Cannabis Business Times.
“That was probably the most critical point for us, was the fact that we got into that early enough and were able to do that,” he says. “Other than that, our packaging is made right here in the U.S., [so] we don’t have the issue with that. As far as product goes, there aren’t any change because in the cannabis space, everybody’s still up and running. We haven’t seen any slowdown in any flower or trim or anything else.”
As long as the company’s cultivation partners continue to operate, Sadler does not anticipate any product shortages.
“It wouldn’t be the first time that I was wrong, but I just don’t see it being an issue because a lot of people have always carried a large inventory and backstock,” he says. “If the cultivators were shut down, then we’d have huge issues looking forward because you wouldn’t have a supply. But on the cultivator’s side, … we are deemed essential, [and] there hasn’t been a call to shut down. … There shouldn’t be anything drastic when it comes to shortages or supply and demand. I think it’s just business as usual.”
Photo courtesy of Platinum
Seemingly, the only issue Platinum has run into is dispensaries postponing scheduled patient appreciation days in their stores, where manufacturers would normally spend time educating customers on their products. Platinum has a full team in California dedicated to operating patient appreciation days in partnership with the state’s retailers, and these employees have since been brought into the manufacturing facility to work for the time being.
Like many other essential businesses, Platinum has increased its cleaning and sanitation measures at its facility to keep its employees safe. Doors, knobs, bathrooms, tables and computers are regularly wiped down, and while employees are encouraged to stay home if they have symptoms of illness, only one employee has been unable to work, and that is due to childcare issues rather than illness, Sadler says.
More broadly speaking, Sadler says the cannabis industry has many lessons to learn from this unprecedented moment in history. First and foremost, he says cannabis businesses need to understand the importance of being deemed an essential business during this uncertain time, and the responsibility to employees and customers that goes along with that.
“We’re really being recognized as a need,” Sadler says. “That’s huge, and we’re going to see that probably come to light when this all starts to get back to normal … [with] decisions being made on deregulation … [and] banking.”
While many other businesses have been forced to close, leaving their employees out of work, the cannabis industry has a unique opportunity to keep people employed, he adds, and Platinum recently hired 15 new employees for its Michigan operations.
“We’re just one company that employs 160 to 180 people, but all these cannabis companies [are] doing a big part in keeping people working and keeping people active,” Sadler says. “You have to make everybody feel secure in coming to work every day. … It’s educating your employees, talking to them, understanding their positions. … There are a lot of great companies out there in the cannabis space that are doing everything that they can to keep their part going. … There are a lot of people out of work right now—a lot of people who aren’t that fortunate."
Terrapin Care Station Suspends 420 Activities
The Boulder, Colo.-based cannabis company is postponing all 420 promotions, sponsorships and events amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
BOULDER, COLO. — March 31, 2020 — PRESS RELEASE — Boulder, Colo.-based cannabis company Terrapin Care Station is postponing all 420 promotions, sponsorships and events in an effort to do its part amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Terrapin made the decision to postpone all activities related to the unofficial cannabis holiday to encourage social distancing and self-isolation during this time of uncertainty. The April 20th 420 “holiday” is normally an opportunity for cannabis companies and consumers to get together and celebrate progress made on the legalization front. But with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis pushing a #DoingMyPartCO campaign, in which people are encouraged to make sacrifices in the fight against COVID-19, Terrapin felt it was prudent to suspend any 420-related marketing activities. The company will re-evaluate plans after stay-at-home orders are lifted and health officials believe we have turned the corner in the fight against the virus.
“Now is the time for us to do our part. That means making sacrifices,” said Chris Woods, owner and chief executive of Terrapin Care Station, which has six cannabis storefronts in Colorado. “We understand that 420 is a time of celebration for all that we have accomplished in our efforts to end cannabis prohibition. But there is a bigger battle at our doorsteps today, and we must do our part to control the spread of this deadly virus. We hope that by suspending 420-related marketing, people will be encouraged to social distance this April.”
Cannabis companies have been allowed to remain operational as a “critical” service in Colorado and in most legal marijuana states. In Denver, Mayor Michael Hancock flirted with the idea of closing cannabis companies. But the order spurred panic buying, which defeated the purpose of social distancing as hundreds flocked to cannabis stores to stock up. The prohibition in Denver lasted just over two hours before the mayor rolled back the proposal, allowing cannabis stores to remain operational.
As an industry, cannabis businesses have quickly adjusted operating procedures to allow for curbside pickup and online ordering; Terrapin Care Station has adjusted shift schedules to encourage employees to stay home if they’re not feeling well or to care for a loved one; increased sanitization procedures; mandated hand-washing and wearing personal protective equipment; and the team constantly pushes social distancing for customers and employees, to name a few adjustments. As a company, Terrapin Care Station wanted to do more to encourage people to self-isolate and social distance. Suspending 420 activities is just one additional step.
Recognizing that many are experiencing economic hardship and job loss stemming from COVID-19, Terrapin is offering discounts on products. The Terrapin Relief Package will see discounts of at least 20 percent on some products during the month of April. We have also been offering discounts on cannabis consumption accessories in the wake of COVID-19. Instead of sharing pre-rolls and consumption glassware and apparatuses, Terrapin Care Station is encouraging its customers to puff, puff—don’t pass.
“We have made great progress as an industry. Just the fact that we have been deemed an essential service during this outbreak is further evidence of our evolution,” Woods added. “But that didn’t come without work and determination. We won hearts and minds by leading by example and acting responsibly. Suspending 420 and encouraging individual cannabis use is simply an extension of our efforts to lead by example."
Joel Cordero
Americann CEO Discusses Cannabis Tech Center, COVID-19 Impact
Tim Keogh previews start-up of Massachusetts Cannabis Center and its progress amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Vertically integrated operator Bask Inc. recently moved its cultivation operations to the new Massachusetts Cannabis Center (MCC), a high-tech cultivation and processing facility in Freetown, Mass. Bask entered into a 15-year joint venture with MCC’s owner, AmeriCann Inc., to cultivate and process cannabis in a 30,000-square foot building on the 52-acre site. MCC will eventually encompass 987,000 square feet of cannabis cultivation and processing infrastructure for the medical and adult-use cannabis marketplace. Americann, a developer of cannabis cultivation, processing and product manufacturing facilities, hopes to have up to eight tenants when the project is completed.
Keough
Cannabis Business Times recently touched base with Americann President and CEO Tim Keogh to discuss how COVID-19 has impacted start-up plans. CBT will feature Americann and Bask in the upcoming May issue.
When did Bask move into the facility?
Bask began operations at the end of February, so their first harvest was Feb. 28.
So, Bask started operations right around the time coronavirus was becoming an issue in the U.S.?
It’s obviously progressed very rapidly. I think at the time we were aware of it, but it wasn’t front of mind the way that it is now, when we’re in the midst of a stay-at-home advisory. Before moving plants in, we went through a deep sterilization with a professional cleaning company. We use integrated pest management, so our people use gloves, hand sanitizer—everything is wiped down with hand sanitizer before it goes into the facility—and we’ve been doing this before the whole coronavirus pandemic as a way to protect the plants.
How have the COVID-19 restrictions impacted business? Did it impact start-up at all?
No. The process and the systems were all laid out, and a lot of the team from Bask moved in from their existing grow to the greenhouse and then just scaled up. It was probably around the week of March 10 that we started looking at our supplies, and we started to have a growing concern about our ability to access PPE (personal protective equipment). So, if you’re a visitor, we have you put on a Tyvek suit. Also, a lot of the team uses face masks. And we use rubber gloves everywhere. We were reading the tea leaves a little bit and realizing that we were going to have some supply chain issues. We’re being pretty conservative. We’re not having any outside visitors come in, so that removes the need for Tyvek suits. I think we were a little ahead of the curve in terms of communicating with staff and making everybody aware that there’s going to potentially be an issue here—just letting them know to be mindful and if you’re sick, don’t come to work. It’s been a progressive process where we’ve been enhancing things either based on direction from the Cannabis Control Commission or the CDC and Gov. [Charlie] Baker has been putting in policies, so we’ve been following that. A lot of the things they’ve been suggesting we’ve already been doing, so we’re feeling pretty well protected, but obviously it’s a little bit of a scary time.
Can you talk a little more about the supply chain issues and how you handled that?
The personal protective equipment, we talked about rubber gloves, which we use throughout the whole facility. Any time you’re touching a plant, you need to have gloves on to protect the plant material. Massachusetts has some of the highest testing standards for microbials, yeast that can be transferred from the skin, so we wear gloves, facemasks and then the Tyvek suits. Those are all supplies that are being put toward the pandemic that are part of our day-to-day operations. More recently, we were fortunate enough to order a trailer of soil, but we were having some issues identifying good soil vendors. I don’t know the real reason behind it. But anecdotally we’ve heard a lot of people are ordering soil in preparation for doing home cultivation, home farming. I haven’t pushed into finding out if that’s a valid reason, but the point is soil has been an issue.
Were there any lessons learned from that in terms of preparation?
I mean, we could have ordered in bulk or eight years’ worth of rubber gloves at a time, but that’s not the most efficient thing for storage space or utilization but also from a cashflow standpoint. For the most part, cannabis companies can’t access traditional lines of credit where you can make those bulk purchases. There’s enough supply on hand to continue. We’re being resourceful with the stuff we have on hand.
How did you manage the shortages in supplies?
We were able to identify vendors who were not our traditional vendors. We had to dig in a little deeper, a lot deeper, to find those resources and get them ordered and get them in. As an example, we are not using the N95 facemasks as the standard; we’ve taken a step back because, one, they’re not available, and, two, the ones we did have we were able to find a home for them through local police and fire departments.
Have you been able to gauge what impact the shelter-in-place and shutdowns will have on your business?
The licenses held in Americann’s project are both medical licenses—medical cultivation, medical processing—so from that standpoint nothing has changed. There has been a bit of a spike in the over-the-counter medical sales at the Bask dispensary in Fairhaven. Over the last two weeks there’s been a little bit of stockpiling, certainly before the stay-at-home advisory was put in place—and there was concern about the dispensaries both medically and recreationally being shut down—but even since the stay-at-home advisory patients are still coming in to access cannabis. It will be interesting to see what happens on the wholesale side of the market in Massachusetts.
As far as the recreational licenses, the directive from the CCC was that they were able to maintain their plants, so the recreational cultivators don’t have to shut their grow down but they’re not able to transfer their product out. But for the most part they’ve seen an increase at the storefront. Bask also does home delivery and they’re looking at picking up a second vehicle and expanding the home-delivery business they run. I think what we’re seeing is everyone has switched over on the storefront side to order ahead—whether it’s through a Leafly pickup or call ahead or through their websites—so that you’re placing an order before you come in. The state does not allow curbside pickup to come in the building. The idea is to minimize the transaction time. Between that and home delivery I think we’re going to see a shift in how patients, and I think if the recreational dispensaries are allowed to open back up, how consumers are going to interact with cannabis purchasing. I think just by being forced to doing it through these venues, I think you’re going to see a lot of adoption more so than what was happening. I think it may change the way consumers and patients are purchasing cannabis for a long time.
Responses were edited for clarity. This article has been revised to reflect that Americann could have up to eight tenants in its facility, not 12. Read more about Americann’s joint venture with Bask Inc. in the May issue of CBT.
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