Illinois Dispensaries See Sales Surge Amid COVID

Since the Governor of Illinois issued a “shelter in place” order, hundreds of stores in Illinois have all closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Cannabis businesses, on the other hand, are still in full operation as they are deemed as an “essential businesses” according to the order. 

How Stay At Home is Affecting Sales 

While most of the businesses in Illinois are shut down, cannabis dispensaries are still open, but taking precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of consumers. Speaking to the press, Michael Perimen VP of Jushi Holdings, one of the largest dispensaries in the state had this to say, “We can afford to keep our doors open and we’ve experienced an increase in sales. More people are coming in so our stores are doing quite well”. 

The unprecedented increase in sales these cannabis dispensaries have experienced in the last couple of weeks are likely a result of cannabis hoarding, and people being confined to their homes. CGO (Chief Growth Officer) at Verano Holdings revealed that a few days before the stay at home order by the Governor, they experienced a surge in sales as most individuals wanted to stock up their supplies before the lockdown. 

Preventive Measures To Be Taken 

To curb the spread of this virus, the DFPR (Department of Financial and Professional Regulations) has issued a set of rules cannabis dispensaries should follow as they continue to offer their services this time. According to the guideline, cannabis dispensaries are allowed to sell their products to patients outside of their stores for curbside pickup. 

In addition to that, these cannabis businesses have been advised to follow social distancing and also provide a means for sanitization for their customers. Currently, the dispensaries in the state are following these guidelines as they continue to offer their products to valid state-issued medical card holders who need these products.