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How The COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Cannabis Sales: A Brief Review

The cannabis industry has entered new territory since the start of the pandemic. Projections for a normal flow of cannabis consumption and sales have basically gone out the window. Much like a lot of other aspects of life right now, we’re having to rewrite our normal. Divergence from a typical work routine, and what that means financially, has been reflected in the marijuana market. 

Since March and the onset of stay-at-home orders along the West Coast, cannabis consumption has increased. It seems more people began consuming cannabis – and consuming or smoking more often. Consumers began purchasing in larger quantities to stock up and limit store trips. And unemployment benefits and government money had provided consumers the means to keep up with their stoner lifestyle. 

The Cannabis Industry In A State Of Fluctuation

Photo Via. State Of Cannabis Industry Report 2020

Leading up to Phase One of Coronavirus lockdown is when cannabis sales really started to shift. With fears of closure, consumers started stocking up. The uncertainty of whether or not stores would remain open caused a bit of an uproar, to say the least. 

According to the State Of Cannabis Industry 2020 report, sales from March 19-22 increased by 70 percent in California and 74 percent in Oregon from the previous year.

In my experience as a budtender, during the first couple of weeks of learning about COVID-19, the shop was chaotic. Frantic energy circulating as people began shifting into apocalypse mode.

There were lines out of the door, starting the need for the new one-in-one-out flow. Customers who normally purchased smaller quantities were looking to buy in bulk. Our inventory of flower in half ounces and above were basically flying off the shelves. I saw first hand the spike in cannabis sales for those first two weeks and it was… impressive. 

Some States Deem The Cannabis Industry Essential 

Fortunately, that fear of not being able to purchase legal cannabis due to stay-at-home orders was pretty quickly alleviated. Along the West Coast and in various other states with legalized cannabis, dispensaries were not called to shut down. In Washington State, medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries were considered essential. 

Following this development, cannabis sales seemingly steadied to a more normal flow. A trend of higher quantities and fewer store visits was still very apparent. With COVID-19 in full swing, individuals likely find themselves with more isolated time to consume cannabis.

This, mixed with the new desire to avoid public places during the big times of uncertainty, proved well for the cannabis industry. Sales were steady, but not as heightened as the initial two-weeks following stay-at-home orders. 

More Time And Money For Cannabis Consumption 

As people began receiving government stimulus checks and claiming unemployment, another increase in cannabis sales was inevitable. An influx of money in a time where isolation was encouraged, lead to another increase in sales in the marijuana market. I am personally not surprised that a bit more financial stability and free time meant more time for cannabis consumption.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits provided unemployed individuals with an additional $600 per week. With a bit of government-funded monetary security during the height of COVID-19, many people seemingly chose to spend that extra cash on cannabis. But naturally, that too came to an end in July. And the COVID-19 cannabis sales rollercoaster continues. 

A Bit Of A Sales Rollercoaster

Photo Via. State Of Cannabis Industry Report 2020

As additional unemployment benefits came to a close, cannabis sales seemingly hit another plateau. People going back to work, finding new places of employment, or just running a bit dry on the financial front. It’s a little much to say there is a shift back to our normal. But, the stay-at-home, isolation mindset became less attractive. In my experiences, people were seemingly anxious to get back to a routine. 

With a lot of people also still out of work, or working reduced hours since the pandemic, it is less justifiable to spend money on cannabis. Without additional weekly unemployment benefits or any projections of another stimulus check, maybe people are reevaluating their newfound stoner lifestyle.

Nevertheless, a plateau of cannabis sales in 2020 is still projected to be much greater than in previous years. Life is looking a bit differently for most, and the stress-relieving properties of cannabis may be proving beneficial. Only time will tell. 

The Future Of Cannabis Sales During Times Of Pandemic

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Fast forward to the current projections of sales and we’re still looking at a bit of uncertainty. According to Forbes, our economy entered a recession in February. That economic instability was projected even prior to the introduction of COVID-19.

We also all know that the economy is going to be heavily impacted by the closures and financial stress caused by COVID-19. Businesses are already starting to feel the downturn of consumerism as government financial assistance becomes a thing of the past. 

The cannabis industry, on the other hand, isn’t necessarily feeling the pressure that other industries are. The fluctuation of work-life balance during the pandemic has driven record sales for the cannabis industry. Even with a plateau of cannabis sales as the pandemic progresses, the industry is still growing and expanding.

Industry Expansion

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The industry is expanding in a universal way, in my opinion. Marijuana is now essential and provides relief for consumers during the pandemic. This is really telling of the future of cannabis sales. Adjustments to the function of sales are now catering to customer safety and to the demand for the product.

Developments in the cannabis industry are catering to customer safety and product demand, so it can continue to provide and thrive. Even in times of economic recession, the cannabis industry is booming. And it’s not showing any signs of slowing down. 

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