MD Cannabis Employees Qualified for Coronavirus Vaccine

Individuals employed by cannabis companies in Maryland will be receiving a similar status to healthcare workers for the coronavirus vaccine, reported Ganjapreneur. This was made possible with the help of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) which issued a directive regarding the matter.

The document stated that cannabis employees are covered in the 1A priority group which states that “licensed, registered and certified health care providers” are eligible for vaccine priority. The order encompasses various parts of the marijuana industry including cultivation, processing, testing, and retail. However, it is worth noting that active license holders with certification from the MMCC are eligible for priority status.

The MMCC’s directive is rooted in the essential service status given by the Maryland state government to the medical marijuana industry. As of writing, there are over 130 cannabis businesses in the state, noted Bizjournals. These companies are currently holding active registrations with the MMCC.

Aside from cannabis workers, Governor Larry Hogan’s Office reported that other healthcare workers, long-term care facility staff, and first responders are among the first ones to receive effective vaccines.

Hogan said, “Our team at the Maryland Department of Health has worked hard over the past eight months preparing plans to procure, distribute, and administer COVID-19 vaccines when they become available.” He added, “This is, by far, the most massive undertaking of this pandemic. The cavalry is coming, a vaccine is on the way, but it is absolutely critical that we continue to fight this virus with everything we’ve got, and we need to keep doing all the things that we know will help to keep us safe.”

The state will allocate vaccines for 227 nursing homes and 1,668 assisted living facilities, which will be distributed through CVS and Walgreens. In December, Maryland was set to receive a total of 155,000 initial doses, the first of the two-dose vaccine from Moderna and Pfizer. Bizjournals said that the current phase covers around 500,000 employees with the addition of law enforcement officials, nursing home residents, and frontline judiciary staff.

Aside from the 1A tier, the state also has the 1B priority status to those in assisted living and other congregate settings, adults who are 75 years old and above, as well as education and government sectors. Those in tier 1C include adults ages 65 to 74, essential workers in lab services, agriculture, manufacturing, postal services, and others.

Priority 2 includes individuals ages 16 to 64 with increased risks of severe COVID-19 illness because of comorbidities, essential workers in critical utilities, transportation, and food services. Lastly, Priority 3 covers the general population from healthy individuals at ages 16 to 64.

Regarding the MMCC’s decision to include the marijuana sector, industry executives say that this move “makes sense.” SunMed Growers compliance manager Justin Garcia said that the company’s employees have started signing up for the vaccine with some set to receive their first doses soon.

Garcia added, “As a company, we feel excited and blessed to be part of the phase 1A rollout… We hope it will help people feel even safer coming to work everyday. I am ready to get the shot in the arm. Sign me up.”

A similar positive response has been observed at Mana Supply Co. Owner Christopher Jensen said that the directive further validates the marijuana industry as an essential healthcare service provider. Mana, which has two dispensaries with more than 13,000 patients, welcomes this move. Jensen said, “Our people are on the front lines, having interactions with people coming to get their medicines every day. I’m really relieved for my staff and our patients.”

Peninsula Wellness CEO Anthony Darby and Storehouse CEO Jeff Jacobson agree that this move can be a significant step toward returning to a sense of normalcy.

In light of the upcoming vaccinations in DC, advocacy group DC Marijuana Justice (DCMJ) is planning to give away free cannabis products at vaccination centers throughout the district. According to DCMJ co-founder Adam Eidlinger, “If you believe in the science that supports medical cannabis, you should believe the science that supports the efficacy of the vaccine.” He added that the plan seeks to encourage more people to get their vaccination.

This will not be the first time that DCMJ has given away free marijuana at an event. In 2017, the organization handed out marijuana in front of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development at the “Haunted by HUD” protest.

DCMJ gave away more than 10,000 pre-rolled joints at the event. However, Eidlinger noted that those products were hand-rolled and licked, which would be an issue in light of the pandemic. For vaccination centers, the group will be handing out individual bags while wearing masks and gloves, and practicing social distancing. They will also be giving out seeds of a strain called “Grasso’s Green,” which was named after DC Councilman David Grosso.

The Need for Priority in Maryland’s Medical Marijuana Sector

As mentioned above, executives in the marijuana industry are taking the MMCC’s decision positively as it can protect their staff and patients. The importance of 1A priority given to the sector is amplified by the fact that a surge in the number of medical cannabis patients and registrations in the state.

Kent County News reported that more patients have been relying on medical marijuana during the pandemic, increasing industry sales. Since its legalization for medicinal purposes in 2014, dispensaries have successfully sold their products. However, the pandemic showed a tremendous increase in retail sales and patient registrations across the state in addition to the 124,118 individuals already enrolled as medical marijuana patients.

Sunburst Pharm general manager Michael Dunaway noted that “A lot of people use cannabis to help fight depression and anxiety, and heaven knows 2020 and 2021 are filled with moments that create those feelings.” He further noted that cannabis “helps them through those times.”

With this increase in patients who are bound to become customers, the medical cannabis community does need protection from the virus, especially with the recent surge in cases. The revitalized demand in cannabis and participation in the cannabis community by more people highlighted the need for vaccines for staff and patients for future developments.

The vaccines can play a role in the return to normalcy for the sector and can provide protection not only when purchasing marijuana as an essential healthcare service, but also in the possible launching of weed events in the future.

Sunburst Pharm saw a “really steady increase in new patients” and noted that before the pandemic, only a few new customers visit their stores. While this development is generally seen as a positive one, it poses a challenge to different aspects of the industry including the regulatory body and the supply chain. According to Kent County News, the increase in demand has overwhelmed players in the supply chain, from cultivators, producers, testers, and retailers.

Moreover, the MMCC has also seen an increase in backlogs and delays, especially with the evaluation and approval of registrations. The distribution of cards has been affected, as well. In fact, new applicants immediately receive a message from the MMCC to inform them that the agency is receiving a “high volume” of application. Moreover, the message says, “The Commission is experiencing an influx of applications, emails, and calls, therefore your application will take longer to process.” Moreover, “The Commission will not be responding to emails with status inquiries.”

Dunaway told Kent County News that many patients are having a hard time with the MMCC’s application process. He added that getting cards take around six weeks and more today, while it was just around three to four weeks before.

The manager attributes this delay to the pandemic but noted that the Commission’s process has always been complex and bureaucratic. According to Dunaway, “COVID just compounded an already existing problem and made it more difficult to proves applications efficiently.”

Guidelines for Purchasing Cannabis Safely

While vaccinated individuals may have protections against the virus, they still need to practice health and safety protocols until the community reaches herd community status. Some important things to remember when accessing marijuana in Maryland include:

·         Opting for contactless purchase methods such as weed delivery, contactless payments, and curbside pickups

·         Wearing protective gear when visiting dispensaries, the most common of which includes medical masks and face shields

·         Practicing social distancing when shopping in-store

·         Consistent and constant hand-washing or use of alcohol and sanitizers when touching exposed surfaces

·         Abiding by store protocols including social distancing, wearing of protective gear, refraining from using sniff jars, and giving space for staff to conduct periodic sanitation of exposed surfaces

With the help of these simple guidelines, patients can safely access medical marijuana products, whether they have been vaccinated or not. 

The Bottom Line

The priority given to medical cannabis staff will tremendously help these workers protect themselves and customers from the virus. The increase in demand for cannabis poses is reasons to anticipate strengthened participation in the cannabis community, which makes vaccination not only of staff but also customers all the more essential.

MMJ Dispensaries Open Up Shop in Virginia

As the state of Virginia is looking to legalize marijuana, more and more medical marijuana dispensaries are opening their doors in the region. In the past few weeks and months alone, three medical dispensaries have opened its doors to MMJ patients in Virginia in attempts to cater to the increased demands and needs of the people.

Among the first three companies to do so are Dharma Pharmaceuticals in Bristol, Green Leaf Medical in Richmond, and BEYOND/HELLO located in Manassas. Dharma Pharmaceuticals first opened its dispensary in October 2020, followed by Green Leaf Medical in the last week of November 2020.

The opening of all three dispensaries comes as Virginia changed its laws to decriminalize those who have access to CBD-dominant extract products. Under the reformed legislation which first occurred in 2015, patients whose physicians have recommended cannabis as a primary form of treatment or management tool may possess up to 90 days’ worth of products under their name.

Low-THC medical cannabis was allowed to be used for the treatment of those suffering from intractable epilepsy, provided these contained no more than five percent of THC. It was only in 2018 when marijuana products gained legality in the state, expanding the bill to include not just epilepsy patients, but all patients who could benefit from the drug.

This 2020, five years since the amended legislation have been put into place, the state of Virginia is proud to offer patients what they need. In a statement to NORML in October of this year, Jenn Michelle Padini, Development Director of NORML said, “Five long years after beginning the legislative process to bring medical cannabis to Virginians, we are thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of the Commonwealth’s first dispensary.”

“This day could not come soon enough for the thousands of Virginians who have been waiting patiently for in-state access to safe, regulated products. Virginia NORML has been on the front lines of this effort every step of the way, and I’m so proud of our members’ tireless work to make this a reality,” continued Padini.

As part of the medical cannabis dispensaries’ commitment to making their products more available and accessible to customers, these companies are providing their own home delivery operations. This allows MMJ patients to easily obtain medication designed to address their specific conditions.

Existing Weed Delivery Rules in Virginia

Medical marijuana dispensaries are only accessible to licensed patients recognized by the Virginia State Board of Pharmacy. For those living in the Commonwealth, the state law maintains that any individual diagnosed with any condition can obtain and qualify for medical cannabis treatment. However, this will only hold true provided the medical practitioner or the physician in question issues a certification that allows the patient to be treated using medical marijuana.

Given that the state has already decriminalized the drug to some degree, the new laws in place ensure that individuals in possession of small amounts of cannabis designed for personal consumption would not be subjected to having a criminal record nor prison time.

Deliveries have become a mainstay in the new norm, alongside curbside pickups and even telemedicine services. Most dispensaries in the state are now allowing product deliveries either on the same day or have it shipped, the latter of which takes a few days prior to receiving your package.

How Weed Delivery Changed the Game

The virus pandemic has greatly changed the way the cannabis industry conducted its business. From its in-person interactions with patients and users in the community to the services being afforded, it cannot be denied that the worldwide incident has impacted not only the business but the lives of many people around the globe.

Thankfully, alongside the digitization of services came decriminalization and the movement towards legalization. This entails that dispensaries are offering products and services in a more confident light. May it be displaying products clearly and properly, labeling items, and becoming more open to conversation, the changing tide is paving the way for a brighter future.

Technology has also adapted to the times, especially now that people are staying more indoors. Many established companies and startups alike have allowed their medical marijuana dispensaries to venture into cannabis delivery.

One of the ways that weed delivery changed the marijuana industry for the better is that it furthered the accessibility and convenience of cannabis products in the industry. Where once these were only accessible through physical stores, purchases can now be delivered at home with just the click of a button. At the very core, it preserves safe patient access across various levels, overcoming hurdles such as lack of transportation.

Besides offering hassle-free services, it also shows the dedication of those involved in the cannabis industry just how dedicated they are in extending and catering to the needs of their clients with delivery services and even curbside pick-up.

More than this, it provides an added element of safety and security, particularly to the more vulnerable patients and sectors in society such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and individuals who suffer from mobility restrictions. Leaving the products on your doorstep without the need for physical contact, it reduces the chances of getting the virus or from having to exert much effort. It also offers superior privacy, allowing clients to enjoy their cannabis products without the hullaballoo.

Getting Cannabis Products in Virginia

• Get Weed Delivery Services

There are many concerns about weed delivery, especially for those who have yet to experience the service themselves. Thankfully, what is great about these types of services is that cannabis products are thoroughly checked at every point, ensuring that strict controls are in place to maintain the quality of products and services.

With numerous weed delivery services popping up in Virginia alone, you can rest assured that you get safer and high-quality products, rather than being restricted solely to what the black market has to offer.

By utilizing weed delivery services for your needs, you are not only making the whole buying process much easier, but you are also streamlining the overall process. However, in choosing services providers and medical marijuana dispensaries to deliver your products, make sure to find one that does door-to-door delivery or those that same-day deliveries, especially for emergency situations. This ensures you that all of your needs are taken care of without having to leave the comforts of your own home.

• Consider Curbside Pick-Ups

If you are still iffy about totally switching to deliveries, we get you. To get on the middle ground, why not try a curbside pick-up service? This allows you to get the items you have ordered on the curbside rather than entering the store.

This option is a great compromise to see how well the dispensary works and if they stay on top of the numerous orders they receive from different types of customers. Plus, this also serves as a great way to minimize contact while still ensuring that you have received all of the necessary items under your list.

To do this, make sure to check if your preferred store offers curbside or scheduled pick-ups. Let them know about your orders beforehand so you can minimize your waiting time as well, particularly during a time when public health safety and security is at stake.

• Do Private Meet-Ups

Unfortunately, despite having delivery services available, there simply are just some products that are not eligible for delivery. Whatever these products might be, private meet-ups might be your best bet. This allows you to purchase your cannabis goods at a much closer location while having space and time mostly to yourself.

Not all dispensaries offer this kind of service, so make sure to see if your medical marijuana dispensary provides this type of service for their clients. Besides getting the order yourself and at a much faster pace, you will also have the opportunity to discuss more marijuana products with personnel who are knowledgeable about what they are selling.

• Visit In-Store

Many individuals are still scared to go outside and for good reason. There is, after all, still a pandemic happening. With the marijuana industry touted as one of the essential businesses that can operate, it can be surprising to see them operating.

Although it is not business as usual for these companies, they have certainly adapted to the needs and the call of the times. In-store visits are now more secure than ever, what with sanitation practices observed every so often in an hour.

What’s more, there are also enhanced safety protocols in place. From placing plastic or acrylic shields, encouraging the use of credit or debit cards for payments, to getting temperatures and observing contact tracing practices, in-store visits have now dramatically changed for the better.

Final Thoughts

The opening of new medical marijuana dispensaries in various parts of Virginia is only the start of fulfilling the needs of many MMJ patients in the Commonwealth. With dispensaries offering a more varied range of products and making these more accessible through weed delivery, patients in the state can now easily access their orders through a safer and more secure manner.

Wake and Bake: DC Scheduled Weed Delivery for First Timers

The advantages of scheduled weed delivery in DC are almost endless, helping people stay at home and get marijuana supplies easily. At the time of the pandemic, it is important to restrict the trips outside, and simply get delivery services and receive goods at the doorstep.

No need to go out and drop by a dispensary to get weed supply, line up for half an hour, and drive back home. Schedule delivery services provide a hassle-free service of getting a stash of marijuana on a given time and date.

For first-time buyers in DC, learning about the laws and regulations on weed delivery is crucial to get marijuana and CBD products. In this article, we are going to dive deeper into the weed delivery services in DC, and why schedule deliveries are on the rise.

DC Recreational Marijuana

The recreational marijuana laws in DC are quite confusing for newbies who come from states like California or Colorado. For one, buying directly at dispensaries isn’t allowed, and the only way to get marijuana is through trading, gifting, and freebies.

The DC legislature leaves a grey area on purchasing recreational marijuana, preventing ramping up of supplies, and limiting people’s purchasing power. By understanding the laws, consumers won’t get in trouble and enjoy recreational weed more.

When the Initiative 71 took full effect in 2015, DC residents are allowed to consume recreational marijuana at home, cultivate up to six plants, and carry less than 2 ounces of weed in public for personal use. Individuals under the age of 21 aren’t allowed to smoke or consume any marijuana products, as it’s against the law.

Basically, the state authorities are limiting the consumption of marijuana, banning public smoking and driving under the influence of the drug. Since 2015, residents are only allowed to trade items for weed, donate and receive marijuana as a gift, and get cannabis as a freebie from buying other products like clothing and smoking accessories.

These are better compared to not getting weed at all, in comparison to other states like Wisconsin and Wyoming. By observing the laws in place, residents can consume weed in their private property, plant, but not sell to other people.

In addition, no single person should smoke weed in public places like parking lots, parks, restaurants, malls, and fitness centers. Anyone found doing this illegal activity is subject to a maximum penalty of $1,000 or jail time up to 60 days. The reason behind this is, the DC Department of Health is trying to reduce the exposure of secondhand smoke, which can affect other people.

Scheduled Marijuana Orders

As mentioned, customers cannot buy weed directly from any other dispensaries in the state. The only way to get the supply is by buying a different product and gets the weed as a freebie. Hence, the schedule marijuana delivery is meant for buying another product, then a small pack of weed is provided to customers.

Different dispensaries have distinct rules on scheduled delivery services, and most of the time, couriers set a cut-off daily to avoid late-night delivery. The schedule delivery option is for people who want to place advance orders or deliver the item the following day.

For instance, if a customer is low on a marijuana supply, he or she can place an order online for a scheduled delivery of his or her choice. The customer can choose for the desired time and date of delivery, suited to his or her schedule. Given this setup, a customer can easily receive the order and pay the item without a hassle.

There are also some online delivery services like Ghouse, which arrange private meetups with a minimum order size of $75 for the accessories and other items. The private meetup could be anywhere near The National Cathedral on Wisconsin Avenue. Other weed delivery providers only support door-to-door delivery for a single purchase.

One thing that makes scheduled marijuana delivery better than regular delivery is, customers can expect the package on time, with real-time tracking, and order confirmation. Additionally, customers can select the preferred date and time to expect the order and receive it personally.

Choosing Delivery Services in DC

The weed delivery services in DC are saturated, and first-time buyers can easily fall victim to poor customer service and poor quality marijuana freebie. To get away with these things, it is important to choose the best weed delivery in DC and get excellent service.

Some of the things to consider are customers’ reviews, availability of products, and proximity of the dispensary.

For safety, customers need to know if the marijuana freebie is high quality, and doesn’t provide physical effects such as vomiting, nausea, and dehydration. The risks are higher with poor quality weed, those who are passed the shelf life. Usually, well-cured marijuana can stay up to six months to a year, depending on the quality. Ensure that supplies are always fresh, and the supplier is reliable.

Another way to check the quality of marijuana freebie offered by dispensaries is by checking customers’ reviews. If most customers can vouch for the quality of the items and the free weed, then consider buying from the service provider or supplier. Check other online forums too, and see whether the brand has consistently good reviews from buyers.

The availability of the products matters too, as some strains aren’t common. Consult the dispensary and ask if you can choose the freebies you want. If looking for specific marijuana strain or product, contact the service providers first before placing an order.

Finally, the proximity of the dispensary matters when getting scheduled weed delivery. Some areas are not serviceable, and dispensaries require an additional charge to deliver the items and freebies. Find out if your area is covered by the delivery service, and if not, consider finding another marijuana dispensary within your location.

Because quarantine procedures are stricter in some areas, many people would accept additional charges for weed delivery. After all, this is safe than going out of the house to get the marijuana supply.

Best Weed Delivery in DC

Despite the threat of the coronavirus, DC allowed emergency marijuana orders in the state. Curbside pickup and door-to-door deliveries are only available for individuals with a medical marijuana card, as authorities limit the number of people going out of their homes. Recreational marijuana isn’t allowed, and residents simply need to rely on cultivating the plant to get weed supply.

This initial order was announced by Mayor Muriel Bowser on April 14, and expires on August 12, or once the public health emergency order is lifted. However, mid-May, Bowser already lifted the stay-at-home order, which means non-essential retails can open for curbside pickup.

Scheduled marijuana delivery services are the thing these days, to avoid going out. Here are some of the best-scheduled weed delivery services in DC.

• Ghouse

One of the best weed delivery services in DC is Ghouse, offering high-quality marijuana for a minimum order of $75. The brand offers curbside pickup and private meetup, within a 3-mile radius of Winconsin Avenue.

Choose from sativa, hybrid, and Indica, as freebies from buying stickers, baseball cards, lighter, bags, shirts, edibles, and cartridges. The most affordable item to buy is a sticker, which costs $35, and customers can get a free eight of weed. For a full ounce, purchase either a bag or shirt, which costs $200.

Call Ghouse at (202)-845-9928 to place an order and schedule a private meet-up. All items are subject to availability.

• Jungle Girls Delivery

Want to buy art with weed as a freebie? Check out Jungle Girls Delivery for weed inspired artworks for sale. The brand offers rush delivery within DC, with pickup schedules 10:30 AM, 12noon, 2 PM, 4 PM, and 6 PM. All pickups are by appointment or schedule due to the pandemic.

Some of the products available to purchase are smoke essentials, flower-inspired art, digital art for download, edibles, concentrates, and munchies or snacks. The minimum order size is $40, which is totally affordable. Jungle Girls Delivery also sells infused snacks like cookies, chocolate bars, cannabis capsules, and brownies.

• Better Bud Bureau

Get your hands on some of the organic, pesticide-free marijuana products and merch from Better Bud Bureau. From stickers, logos, sanitizer, and edibles, customers can choose from a wide array of freebies. There are CBD and THC products to get, from mist, brownies, microdose cubes, and sour gummies.

All delivery services are limited and by appointment or schedule only. Contact Better Bud Bureau at (202)-891-1547 to place orders and schedule a delivery.

Conclusion

Buying recreational marijuana in DC is easy, even at the time of the pandemic. Many retail establishments offer by appointment or schedule delivery to attend to customers’ orders and requests. Individuals who possess a medical marijuana card can easily buy marijuana products, from THC, CBD-infused products, and marijuana strains.

Contact the weed delivery providers today to place orders and get your weed supply.