Some news outlets covering the novel coronavirus pandemic have noted how this crisis would be different had it happened 20 years ago.
Two decades ago, many people still dialed up to access the internet, working remotely was not an option for most and grocery stores were not set up for online ordering and delivery. Smart phones were not commonplace nor widely available, and social media platforms were still in their infancy. People could not connect as quickly, and as inexpensively, as they can today. The full scale of the devastating health and economic consequences from COVID-19 remains to be seen. However, stay-at-home orders and isolation would have looked very different for many had the pandemic struck at the turn of this past century, and being able to connect is something to be grateful for.
The timing also has meant that Cannabis Business Times has the tools to serve you more effectively than ever, wherever you are, with daily news updates on CannabisBusinessTimes.com, regular e-newsletters and a series of virtual conferences to help you manage the immediate needs ahead while also providing resources to help you maintain the pillars of your businesses—such as our upcoming Plant Health Virtual Conference.
While we are more equipped from a technology perspective, there is still an innate human need to connect face-to-face. It is comforting that we can connect via video conversations with our loved ones and colleagues, but they are no substitute for in-person visits.
Similarly, in-person events and conferences are essential and even more vital as we navigate new realities amid COVID-19, and we are thrilled that we were able to reschedule Cannabis Conference 2020, originally set for the end of April this year, to Sept. 1-3, 2020, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. We look forward to being able to gather together this fall.
Opportunities to network with peers and professionals that we perhaps once took for granted are even more valuable and necessary as we continue to understand what the impacts of COVID-19 will mean for the cannabis industry. State business closures have resulted in patchwork policies for cannabis companies; however, in many states, cannabis businesses have been deemed essential and allowed to operate. The long-term impact remains to be seen, however, as adult-use legalization efforts in New York and Missouri are now on hold, for example.
Many of you are still operating during COVID-19, adapting quickly to continue to serve your teams, customers and patients. We are continuing to serve you as well to be sure we provide you with educational resources and opportunities to make this industry stronger. Whatever the next few months bring, we will continue to be there for you and look forward to hearing your experiences, sharing ideas and continuing to move this incredible industry forward.
