Pot shops to stay open for shelter-in-place rules
Cannabis dispensaries will be designated as healthcare operations and continue to remain open during Humboldt County’s shelter-in-place order amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The county health officer’s latest order now prevents businesses that offer “quality of life” products from staying open, but marijuana retailers (of all kinds) continue to be listed in their new category.
It’s a breath of relief for dispensary owners, including Julius Adams of Proper Wellness Center, who says sales have tanked this week after an initial spike saw customers stocking up for the local shutdown.
“We’re trying to just survive, really,” Adams said. “We’ve seen half as much as the usual customers come in, maybe even less some days.”
Proper Wellness and other dispensaries around the county are offering curbside pickup orders and home deliveries during the shelter-in-place order.
Although Proper Wellness’ new dispensary in Rio Dell is up and running, the storefront’s grand opening has been postponed indefinitely. The company had previously extended its celebration to April 15, but the coronavirus era is now expected to last much longer.
A large-scale economic stimulus approved by Congress last week will aid small and large businesses around the country, but it’s unlikely the local cannabis industry will see any of that funding, since pot remains federally illegal.
“Some federal organizations have been lobbying for years to change the (Small Business Administration’s) rules. We don’t have reason to think that’s going to happen soon,” said Ross Gordon, policy director for the Humboldt County Growers Association.
But as funding goes, 1st District Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn said Tuesday the county will make sure something comes over the mountaintop to aid the local economy.
“We have the whole economic
development department looking into being able to utilize funding for the employees and citizens of Humboldt County,” Bohn said.
Not all dispensaries are seeing revenue dip. Humboldt Patient Resource Center, which has locations in Eureka and Arcata, reports steady sales even as residents are told to stay home.
Mariellen Jurkovich, the center’s executive director, said the business is taking extra measures to stay clean and accessible during the pandemic.
“People are at home more, and maybe feeling a little anxious,” Jurkovich said. “It’s great we’re considered essential — that hasn’t always been the case.”