Under Colorado’s emergency pandemic rules, cannabis dispensaries can now accept online orders and customers can pick them up at the shop, the Colorado Sun reports. Morgan Fox, a spokesman for the Denver-based National Cannabis Industry Association, said the changes are a step but it remains limited as credit card companies still shy away from doing business with the industry.
“We have an opportunity to prove that cannabis businesses can run these operations and do so effectively under extremely dire circumstances.” – Fox to the Sun
The order does not allow home delivery of adult-use products, which Cannabis Station manager Ben Prater called “a necessity at this point.” Lawmakers did approve cannabis delivery laws last year and companies can deliver medical cannabis this year; under the rules, adult-use products can be delivered in 2021, the report says. Localities can permit cannabis deliveries and Rachel Gillette, a board member for Colorado NORML, said municipalities should pass delivery laws as citizens are hunkered down amid the state’s stay-at-home order.
Gov. Jared Polis’ (D) office told the Sun that there are no plans to allow businesses to apply for recreational cannabis delivery licenses early and delivery of recreational products would not be allowed after the 120-day emergency order expires.
California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois, and Oregon allow recreational cannabis delivery services, but the practice remains limited due to the lack of credit card processing companies that are willing to serve the industry.
Colorado‘s Marijuana Enforcement Division is unable to authorize online sales without changes in state law but can evaluate whether the emergency rules should be amended, renewed, or repealed.
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