Maryland, like many states with legal medical cannabis, is seeing an increase in demand during this uncertain time of COVID-19. At Storehouse, we are setting a new standard, not only for how we serve our customers, but how we set best practices for both Maryland and the industry as a whole.

Many dispensaries are stretching their wholesale ordering, which is leading some industry analysts to voice concern surrounding cultivator’s ability to keep up and the effects it may have on the cannabis supply chain.

Due to Governor Hogan’s continuing shelter at home order, Maryland patients have been “Stocking Up”. Growers will now be tested to keep pace with the increased demand, similar to highly desired consumer driven industries supplying toilet paper and meats. Fortunately, we remain somewhat insulated from global impacts or cross state impacts of COVID-19.

For several years various segments of the cannabis business have faced unique challenges and adversity. In some ways, navigating these challenges has hardened the industry in a way that offers resiliency in the wake of COVID-19.

With all of these emerging challenges the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commision (MMCC) has moved to set guidelines and offer flexibility in regulations to meet the needs of this historic challenge to our community while serving Maryland patients. Authorization for telehealth for written certification and certification renewal, the suspension of the patient having to provide a signature at the point of sale or having to make patients complete written forms, and the additional methods of pick up such as curb side service have all been examples of how the MMCC rose to the occasion to meet the needs of patients across the state.

Some of these changes may even have a lasting impact on the business as a whole, as it becomes evident that some of these changes in policy will lead to future best practices. Patients are going to expect to continue to have these conveniences and it may very well be lasting permanent change. More methods of online communication and commerce, the move to a cashless based business are all things patients will continue to expect.

Examples of these decisions, such as curbside pickups, are not only a more convenient way of operating which leads to cost savings for the dispensary, these savings can then be passed down to patients.

Maryland has shined in this opportunity and perhaps is even setting an example for other states that have not evolved as fast and are struggling.

In this ever evolving environment we have found ourselves in, we at Storehouse celebrate the leadership of Governor Hogan’s administration to address these issues head on. They say that necessity is the mother of all invention, rising to the challenge of this crisis has led to progressive and perhaps permanent changes that meet the demands patients are asking for from their representatives.