The Big Apple has gone to pot amid the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Since the virus hit, marijuana sales have exploded in both Canada and the United States. From March 16 to March 22, recreational cannabis sales surged by 50% across many states, including Colorado, California, and Oregon. On the other hand, medical marijuana sales increased by 41% from the same period in 2019.
Despited recreational marijuana still being illegal in New York, the residents are helping fuel the trend. One Manhattan dealer who chose to remain anonymous said:
“Business is up a good 50 percent. I work in every borough except Staten Island, and people are very happy that my service is running. Customers are saying ‘Thank you’.”
The Westchester-based CEO of HappyMunkey, a marijuana lifestyle company, Vladimir Bautista, is undoubtedly grateful. He commented:
“My consumption has gone up by 50 percent due to the extra time and stress. It is helping me tremendously during these crazy times to cope with the fear of the unknown . . . and [to] prioritize what’s important in life.”
Marijuana sales increase as users try to stock up
Patients are also using marijuana more in New Jersey, where medical marijuana is legal. The president of Bridge Strategic Communication, Stu Zakim, has a prescription for cannabis to treat the effects of arthritis and chronic pain. He stated:
“I’m smoking more because business is down, and I’m stuck inside all day.”
Unlike California and many other places that have seen a run on medical marijuana, the Manhattan delivery dealer confirmed to his customers that there is still stock. He added:
“We’re not running out, and there are no issues with restocking… yet.”
However, a few New York City weed distributors have put their services on hold this week amid pressure from the COVID-19 menace.
Last week, Brooklyn Arboretum sent out a note to clients. The note read:
“We are suspending deliveries until further notice, due to concerns over the rapid spread of COVID-19 within the city . . . We urge you to stop inviting deliveries into your home and prepare yourselves and your loved ones.”
In the meantime, a Columbia professor said that his usage had increased lately. He warned against the downside of being high:
“I smoked the other night and went down a rabbit hole about how the coronavirus is going to crash the economy and kick off the end of the world as we know it.”
