Navigation For Cannabis Operators During COVID19 Pandemic
Emergency Operational Procedures are temporarily becoming a part of everyday life for Cannabis Operators. Governor Newsom issued a Statewide ‘Stay at Home’ order to stop COVID19 and it is in effect until further notice. All businesses must close temporarily unless they are considered essential. Cannabis Operators are experiencing a spike in business as users are stocking up. What can you do during this time? What are some things to consider?
Am I An Essential Business?
CA cities and counties are actively determining which businesses are considered “essential” during this time. Some municipalities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Palm Springs have expressly declared all cannabis facilities in the supply chain as “essential businesses.” Other municipalities have directed businesses to the federal guide on self-determining whether they qualify as “essential.” If you are unsure whether you qualify as an “essential business” let Global Go act as your liaison with local officials to help you make that determination.
Remember that local approval isn’t enough. Cannabis Operators must also receive State approval if emergency operational procedures deviate from normal ones. If you are a cannabis Retailer, let our team at Global Go help you obtain State approval for curbside pickup and/or delivery services.
Do Your Part to “Flatten the Curve”
Retailers should consider mandating all staff wear disposable gloves and masks – especially when handling money.
Sanitize everything going in and out of the facility.
Some cities have authorized lounges to sell product for pickup utilizing social distancing practices but are not allowing lounge goers to consume inside the building. At home consumption will remain in place until further notice.
Operators must adhere to normal sanitation measures and take some extra precautions. In addition to normal Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), employees should wear masks. This is especially true for cultivators and manufacturers.
Sanitize everything! Wear gloves when handling money, manifests, and deliveries. Gloves should be changed regularly whenever there is risk of cross contamination between customers.
Keep delivery vehicles spotless and clean after each trip.
Remember that closing is an option, too. Ensure to communicate with Employees to stay at home even if they feel a little sick.
Ensure rooms consist of no more than 10 persons to a room per social distancing guidelines.
Always wash hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds, wear gloves, avoid touching face, stay six feet away from others, don’t shake hands, disinfect every surface you can, and keep a cleaning log.
Metrc Compliance is still required, so ensure you’re reporting properly and checking Metrc daily!
As consumers and patients stock up on cannabis goods during this time, Retailers may want to consider offering free delivery services to encourage people to stay home to help flatten the curve.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!
Business to Business communication is imperative. If you’ll remain open during the order, ensure to tell operators with which you regularly conduct business.
If you’re open to the public, notify customers of new/updated operational protocols, such as delivery and curbside pick-up, and any changes to your hours of operations. Send out email campaigns, text messages to existing customers, post information on all social media platforms. Notify google what your operating hours are even if you’re temporarily closing.
Now is also a great time to engage SEO services so that potential customers who search for open Retailers in their areas will see your store is open while observing the Governor’s Order.
Tax Relief
On March 12, 2020, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order in response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency authorizing the CDTFA a 60 day window to grant tax relief to assist businesses impacted by social distance measures related to COVID-19. Relief may include granting extensions for filing returns and making payments, relief from interest and penalties, or replacement copies of records lost due to disasters.
Cannabis businesses may request assistance by contacting the CDTFA via their online portal, via email, or mail in request to the CDTFA. This 60 day window closes on May 11, 2020, so we encourage cannabis businesses to reach out now.
See CDTFA’s State of Emergency Tax Relief for more information.
Simone Sandoval
Partner / Director of Licensing and Compliance
Simone focuses on cannabis licensing and compliance and has extensive experience in understanding and deciphering complex cannabis regulations. Prior to entering the cannabis industry, Simone worked in Washington, D.C. as an intern for Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36). During her time on the Hill, she worked on legislation, and researched policy on renewable energy, healthcare, and tribal relations.
About Global Go
Global Go provides sophisticated consulting services to the global cannabis and hemp industry. In tandem with strategic allies around the world, Global Go serves clients throughout the world from offices in Bogota, Chicago, Desert Hot Springs, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York, Silicon Valley, and Toronto. Powered by a team of cannabis industry pioneers and world-class consultants, Global Go helps leading cannabis funds and companies assess and enter new markets; acquire assets; raise capital; launch new product lines; improve SOPs; comply with regulations; implement technology and security systems; find talent; diagnose and execute solutions to growth obstacles; and apply for cannabis licenses (with a 99% success rate on over 150 cannabis license applications across the United States). Learn more at https://globalgo.consulting.