Contributor: Jon Baron
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, most Americans are feeling some qualms about going into a dispensary. A medicinal user I spoke with said that she was suffering from deep anxiety even thinking about going in to get her required cannabis.
From the information I have gathered, and from personal visits to my favorite dispensary here in Colorado, I have found that going to the dispensary is probably safer than going to the grocery store. My last visit to the grocery store on Saturday, March 21st had long lines, where people were nowhere near six feet apart. The checkers were not wearing gloves. And I only saw one person wearing a mask.
How Dispensaries Are Handling The Pandemic
The only precaution I witnessed at this grocery store was the bottle of hand sanitizer, as you entered. So, I would have to say that going to the dispensary is going to be as safe as the facility can make it. For this article, I will examine three different regions where recreational use is now legal.
COLORADO
The situation in Colorado seems to change daily. On Monday, the governor gave all dispensaries and liquor stores until 5:00 p.m. to close their doors. He later rescinded that order, but it is probably just a matter of time until this is deemed appropriate action. And at that time, home delivery will be the only way to get your favorite smoke.
The dispensary I visited twice in the past nine days, has taken drastic action to ensure that all of their customers are kept as safe as possible. This is Nature’s Herbs and Wellness Center located in Garden City.
On my first visit, Saturday the 14th, they had everyone standing outside, with a security person out there with us, making sure we were at a safe distance from each other. Then, as soon as someone exited the facility, security would allow the next person in. I stood in line for about twenty minutes before gaining entry. They had all the doors open for ventilation. It was quite cool that day, but no one really complained.
My next visit was on Tuesday the 24th, and they had really taken measures to make sure everyone was as safe as possible.
First of all, no one was standing outside. Once I entered, security was making sure that we were all at least six feet apart. They accomplished this by using a colored tape to mark out Xs on the floor exactly six feet apart. These were placed from the waiting room, to the receptionist desk, where you check your ID, all throughout the product room, and finally, to the exit.
They had hand sanitizer at every budtender location (there were five budtenders working at that time), and also tape on the floor three feet from the counter thus keeping customers at least six feet away from them. Also, there can be no more than ten people on the premises at any one time.
They no longer allow the customer to smell the product—they can only show it to you—but if you know what you’re looking for, this isn’t a major issue. All of the employees were wearing rubber gloves, as this is a cash-only business, and your money (and change) are handled safely. So, I felt safe from entry to exit, and I was more than happy to liberally use their hand sanitizer.
CHICAGO
As of Friday, March 20, because of state regulations and local guidelines, dispensaries have taken measures similar to what I’ve seen in Colorado, and maybe even a little beyond that. Dispensaries are considered to be an essential service in Illinois, but they have had to make some changes to be as safe as possible.
One of the largest dispensaries in the Chicago area is the Mission dispensary. Mission was the first dispensary in the area to offer medicinal cannabis. Because of the shelter-in-place order that was mandated on Friday, they had to come up with some innovative practices to ensure satisfaction to all of their customers. And with the entire city at home, many are wanting to enjoy their time at home with their favorite cannabis product(s).
Dispensaries have taped lines across the floor keeping both their customers and staff at least six feet apart. They have placed hand sanitizers at the ATMs and purchase counters. The facilities are only allowing eight people at a time on the premises, and as I witnessed in Colorado, once one person leaves, another can enter.
Much of their business is now being done on a pick-up basis where you needn’t even get out of your car. You simply order your product online, set up a pick-up time, and they will have it ready for you at the specified time. They are even doing home deliveries, so you don’t have to expose yourself, or be exposed by others.
They have incredible demand as the entire city is on lockdown until April 7th. The dispensaries in the Chicago area are always trying to serve their customers in a timely, safe manner. There are no product on-site size limitations, so their demand for product is very high, and they are able to meet the demand as best they can. There may be some complications getting your order in, as demand is tremendously high, but keep trying. The Chicago-area dispensaries, and those in all of Illinois, are trying their best to meet the demand.
SAN DIEGO
In San Diego, many businesses have been voluntarily closing their doors due to the pandemic. On March 19th, the governor ordered all non-essential businesses to close, but (thankfully) dispensaries were not on the list.
If you do visit one, you will find the same safeguards that the other dispensaries are using. Six-feet distance restrictions and occupancy limits are now the norm in all dispensaries.
Many people are using the dispensaries’ delivery services to remain as safe as possible, and to avoid the lines at the dispensaries. Just remember when your budtender delivers your “goods” to sanitize the packaging before you enjoy the product. Everyone in the area is doing their fair share to make it through these trying times.
Also of note to this matter, is the fact that Las Vegas, Nevada has closed all dispensaries’ doors, and only delivery services are available.
CONCLUSION
Using your local dispensary is just as safe as going to any other business, in my opinion, maybe even more so.
If you’re spooked about going to the dispensary, no one can blame you for that, and you can certainly feel free to use their delivery service. Most are offering this service, and it may soon come to pass that all of them will be doing this.
No one knows what will happen, or how bad things will become. By watching the news, we can see what is happening in other countries around the world, and hopefully, those things will not get that bad here in the U.S.
The way the news cycle is changing daily, and as fears and anxiety increase, it is up to each and everyone of us to stay safe, and follow all the guidelines that have been made widely known.
So, let’s take some of that stress away by supporting your local dispensary, and purchasing your favorite strain. If they don’t have exactly what you’re seeking, they are sure to have a similar product on hand. Since many of us are now at home, we may as well kick back and get baked, right?
This will eventually pass, so we may as well enjoy ourselves as best we can. Take all the precautions that are recommended, and enjoy your stash! Twist one up and kick back. Maybe it’s time to buy an ounce. It’s completely up to you.
