Under a clarification document Gov. Gavin Newsom issued late Friday, all licensed cannabis businesses in California can continue with business as usual during an effective statewide lockdown implemented in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The decision to categorize cannabis companies as “essential” in effect provides an economic lifeline to the marijuana industry by allowing cannabis businesses to keep their doors open.
Before Newsom’s declaration, cannabis business executives were unsure where they could operate legally in the state after the governor issued a stay-at-home order to California residents on Thursday. The California governor’s clarification could spur other states to follow suit. In a related move, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker took the lead when including cannabis companies in that state’s list of “essential” businesses when he issued a stay-at-home order on Friday.
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