Keeping liquor and pot stores open as essential
“Denver gives stay-home order, March 24 news story
I was so glad (ecstatic, actually) to see that liquor stores were removed from the city’s list of closures just hours after they ordered it.
I had driven past Argonaut Liquors earlier in the day and it was all quiet on Colfax. Then, upon my return trip, I did a neck-snapping double-take! Argonaut had a line of people snaking around the whole store. I was perplexed: Was the “end” eminent? I thought maybe they were having a one-cent sale for a second bottle to assuage our stress of COVID-19.
Now, what impressed me most was how fast people got there, properly queued like school children waiting for the bell. Maybe some decided, “I do not drink, but I may now.”
I chose not to get in line. But, I thought more about what would have ensued if the closures had not been rescinded. I do think chaos and mayhem would have ensued eventually. People being asked to sequester with spouses, children and animals could be a potential recipe for a coup d’etat if access to wine and liquor was gone and disease on the way. Normal people would be ballistic and run amok! Amazon would get orders for moonshine stills.
Thank you, city officials, for turning this around quickly before it got out of hand.
Now, I plan to go buy some wine
— just in case rationale takes a hike.
I could only laugh reading about the rush on liquor and pot stores after Mayor Hancock’s stay-athome order. We now know the three staples of life: alcohol, marijuana, and toilet paper.
Mayor Michael Hancock should be commended for reversing his decision and allowing all cannabis dispensaries in Denver to continue serving the city amid the COVID-19 outbreak. This is critical for ensuring that medical cannabis patients, like myself, who allowed patient registrations to lapse still have access. It can be hard to find time to make an additional doctor appointment, then pay a co-pay not covered by insurance, and in those times adult use provides over the counter access to much-needed therapies.
As we face this public health crisis, I take comfort in knowing that I will be able to purchase the cannabis treatments I rely on.
Lawmakers must continue to prioritize the health and safety of their communities amid the coronavirus pandemic by preserving access to cannabis, including more delivery and pickup options — particularly for those who may be immunocompromised. I hope other leaders will follow in Mayor Hancock’s footsteps.