Bravo, Mr. Nyhoff

City Manager Greg Nyhoff should be commended for his decision to designate Vallejo’s 11 medical cannabis dispensaries as essential businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which will allow area patients to continue accessing the medical care they need during this crisis.

Mr. Nyhoff’s recognition of the fact that medical cannabis dispensaries are essential health care operations will help provide comfort during an uncertain time to those in the community who rely on these products to treat chronic and often painful medical conditions. It will also help small dispensaries survive the economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19 while helping workers stay in their jobs.

Keeping cannabis dispensaries open not only benefits medical consumers, but also adult use consumers, many of whom could qualify as patients if they registered. The rest of the cannabis supply chain must also stay operational in order to continue to supply medical and adult use cannabis consumers alike with product.

For cannabis providers, preserving access and providing guidance for consumers must be our top priority as we navigate the difficult weeks and months ahead. And as cities in California and states across the country continue to cope with this unprecedented situation, I hope other local leaders will follow Mr. Nyhoff’s lead to prevent cutting off access to legal cannabis, which will only exacerbate this crisis for millions throughout the United States. — Morgan Sokol/Executive Vice President, Regulatory

Affairs MedMen