TUESDAY, March 24 —While Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s latest executive order temporarily shutters many businesses in Michigan, both medical and recreational pot shops are able to continue sales through curbside pickup and at-home delivery.
And business, at least over the last week, has been booming.
Records provided by the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs show statewide sales for both recreational and medical marijuana spiked last week after Michigan detected its first confirmed case of COVID-19. Recreational sales were up over $1 million last week and medical sales were almost at an all-time high.
“We’re definitely keeping steady. Sales have increased with adult-use coming into play, but I don’t know if I can attribute that to any of the hysteria about coronavirus,” said Sam Usman Jr., owner of PG Group, which operates Stateside Wellness and Pure Options in Lansing. “We’re just trying to keep people as safe as possible.”
From March 9-15, the same week that Whitmer announced the first confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan, state officials tracked a total of $4.71 million and $6.24 million in recreational and medical marijuana sales, respectively. Those figures climbed last week to $5.78 million for recreational and $7.93 million for medical.
State officials said that the recent 27.1% sales spike for weekly medical marijuana sales is the second-highest revenue ever realized in Michigan. A 22.8% jump for recreational sales isn’t too shabby either.
“Studies have shown that cannabis can reduce anxiety and stress, and we believe continued access to this product during this time is pertinent,” said Robin Schneider, executive director of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, in a letter to Whitmer. “More importantly, patients with cancer, AIDS, chronic pain, seizures, and pediatric patients have reduced or replaced pharmaceuticals, including opiates, with medical cannabis.”
As of Tuesday, in-store sales at both recreational and medical marijuana dispensaries are prohibited amid Whitmer’s “Stay Safe, Stay Home” executive order that closed many business operations deemed nonessential. But good news for Michigan: Pot has been deemed essential. And shops can still bring their products to customers.
State officials confirmed this week that shops are still able to accept phone and online orders for curbside pickup or at-home delivery. And at least seven Lansing shops are still stocking their shelves amid the pandemic.
“The measure confirms what Michiganders have long known following legalization in the state — that marijuana businesses are essential and should remain open during ‘shelter-in-place’ measures designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” according to a statement officials at Skymint, a Michigan dispensary chain.
At least four dispensaries are still selling recreational marijuana in Lansing — including Pure Options, Stateside Wellness, HomeGrown Cannabis Co. and Skymint’s newly opened location on Cedar Street. At least until next month, those shops will be limited to curbside pickup for mostly online ordering and some phone orders.
Skymint is also offering a 10% discount on all purchases ordered online until further notice. And while Usman still worries that the recent in-store prohibition might hurt sales at his shops, he’s optimistic about the change.
“We’re actually used to radical changes on a daily basis from just being involved with this industry,” Usman Jr. added. “There has just been so much change on a consistent basis that I think we’re all just accustomed to it.”
Marijuana Sales in Michigan
2/24 - 3/1
Recreational: $4.33 million
Medical: $6.91 million
3/2 - 3/8
Recreational: $5.05 million
Medical: $7.22 million
3/9 - 3/15
Recreational: $4.71 million
Medical: $6.24 million
3/16 - 3/22
Recreational: $5.78 million
Medical: $7.93 million
Marijuana in Lansing
Pure Options — Recreational and Medical Marijuana
5815 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Online orders for curbside pickup only.
Stateside Wellness — Recreational and Medical Marijuana
1900 E. Kalamazoo St.
Online orders with curbside pickup online.
HomeGrown Cannabis Co. — Recreational and Medical Marijuana
5025 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Online, call-in or text orders for curbside pickup only.
Skymint — Recreational and Medical Marijuana
2508 S. Cedar St.
Online orders with curbside pickup only.
Old 27 Wellness — Medical Marijuana
2905 N. East St.
Online orders with curbside pickup only.
Edgewood Wellness — Medical Marijuana
134 E. Edgewood Blvd.
Online orders with curbside pickup only.
Cannaissuer — Medical Marijuana
3200 N. East St.
Online orders with curbside pickup only.
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