Nevada cannabis company 1933 Industries Inc. (CSE: TGIF) says it will continue with regular operations even as the state enters a temporary public lockdown due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Starting today, the State of Nevada announced it will begin implementing a 30-day shutdown of all non-essential businesses as part of its aggressive social distancing strategy to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.
However, 1933 said in a statement the state’s closing mandate does not affect licensed cannabis operators and retailers, and the company will keep its cultivation and manufacturing facilities open.
1933 said it’s important to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the recent increased demand for its cannabis concentrates in Nevada.
“Our utmost priority is to ensure the health and well-being of our employees, partners and customers and we are taking the recommended steps to mitigate the risks of spreading the disease,” CEO Chris Rebentisch said.
Rebentisch said the company’s cultivation arm — Alternative Medicine Association — already follows stringent hygiene protocols, but additional safety measures have been put in place.
Those additions include: enhanced disinfection and hygiene measures, barring visitors from its facilities, monitoring employee health, and following health authorities’ social distancing recommendations.
1933 said its second Nevada harvest is still on schedule for the end of March. However, it will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and assess company operations as the situation evolves.
Quality, consistency, experience are at the core of what we do 🌱🔥 We are excited to share a first look at our upcoming harvest! $TGIF $TGIFF #1933industries #craftcannabis pic.twitter.com/qC21OvsP89
— 1933 Industries Inc. (@1933Industries) February 27, 2020
“We are encouraged, comforted and motivated by our strong team, our loyal customers and our close communities as we stand together during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rebentisch added.
Nevada isn’t the only U.S. jurisdiction to allow cannabis businesses to continue operating during a coronavirus-related shutdown.
The City and County of San Francisco has initiated a “shelter in place” order for all residents from March 16 until April 7, meaning only essential services would be allowed to remain open.
At first, city health officials did not include pot retailers as an essential service under the emergency measure.
However, the San Francisco Department of Public Health reversed that decision, citing that cannabis is an essential medicine for residents and dispensaries can continue to operate as essential businesses at this time.
Cannabis is an essential medicine for many San Francisco residents. Dispensaries can continue to operate as essential businesses during this time, while practicing social distancing and other public health recommendations.
— SFDPH (@SF_DPH) March 17, 2020
Read more: COVID-19 pandemic puts Canadian cannabis operations in limbo
Top image via 1933 Industries Inc.
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