By Tom Angell | Forbes
Never has it been more clear than during the current COVID-19 pandemic that marijuana has arrived at the forefront of mainstream American society.
In state after state, governors and public health officials are deeming cannabis businesses “essential” operations that can stay open amid coronavirus-related forced closures and stay-at-home mandates. People might not be able to go bowling or see a movie in theaters, but they can still stock up on marijuana.
It wasn’t long ago that anyone growing and selling marijuana faced the risk of being arrested, prosecuted and jailed. But now, in the era of expanding legalization, cannabis providers in many states are held up as vital members of the community who are providing a valuable service on par with picking up prescription drugs at a pharmacy or filling up your car at a gas station.
“The COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented, but as in all times of hardship change is brewing. It appears that one of the consequences of the economic slow down caused by the virus is the embracing of medical marijuana as mainstream. This may or may not be linked to the revenue generation these enterprises provide for state governments, but nonetheless one of the impacts we will see as we emerge from this crisis will be less outcry against marijuana for medicinal purposes.” ~ Adam Trenk
