The response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has varied from state to state with some doing a better job than others. We are happy to say that the majority of states with medical cannabis programs have allowed those businesses to continue serving patients in need. You can find our analysis for each medical cannabis state and territory below. This information was last updated 04/23/2020.

Alaska

While we are happy to report that Alaska has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential, to allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals (but not for new patients) and allow curbside pickup options for cannabis dispensaries. However we are disappointed to say that they have not allowed for the delivery of cannabis for those unable to travel, offered tax relief to businesses or patients, extended renewal deadlines, or increased patient limits for caregivers.

Arizona

We are happy to report that Arizona has adopted our recommendation to allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals and curbside pick up. While Arizona has not officially declared cannabis businesses essential, they are allowed to remain open at this time. However, the state has not allowed for temporary dispensary accommodations or delivery, offered tax relief to businesses or patients, extended renewal deadlines, or increased patient limits for caregivers.

Arkansas

We are disappointed to report that Arkansas has only adopted one of our recommendations, to extend the expiration date on cards until 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted. They have not however, adopted any of our other recommendations, including declaring cannabis businesses to be essential, allowing for temporary dispensary accommodations or delivery, offering tax relief to businesses or patients, allowing recommendation or renewal by telemedicine, or increasing patient limits for caregivers.

California

When certain counties in CA first declared dispensaries to close, ASA chapters immediately jumped into action. Soon after the Department of Health reversed course and announced cannabis businesses would be allowed to operate. We can now happily report that California has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors), and allowing temporary accommodations to help better serve patients. California could still improve their response by allowing extending expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief for cannabis businesses and patients. Businesses should check county ordinances to confirm whether a particular county has imposed additional restrictions, such as requiring curbside pickup.

Colorado

We can happily report that Colorado has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis dispensaries to be essential, offering them temporary accommodations to better serve patients such as allowing phone and online purchases as well as curbside pickup and allowing telehealth visits for receiving or renewing medical recommendations. Colorado could still improve their response by including allowing cultivators and processors to remain open, extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, offering tax relief to businesses and patients and expanding dispensary delivery availability.

Connecticut

We can happily report that Connecticut has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential, allow telehealth visits for recommendations and renewals and extend expiration deadlines. Connecticut could still improve their response by increasing patient limits for caregivers, allowing for temporary accommodations like pickup and delivery for dispensaries, and offering tax relief to businesses and patients.

Delaware

We are happy to report that Delaware has adopted our recommendations to allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals and dispensary delivery and pickup accommodations. While they have not officially declared cannabis businesses to be essential, they are allowed to remain open provided they follow certain health and safety guidelines. They have not adopted our other recommendations including tax relief to businesses or patients, extending renewal deadlines, or increasing patient limits for caregivers.

District of Columbia

We can happily report that the District of Columbia has adopted many of our recommendations by declaring cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivation and processing facilities), extending the expiration of patient registrations, adopting telehealth renewals, and increasing delivery and pick-up options for dispensaries. We would still like to see D.C. increase patient limits for caregivers, provide more temporary options for cannabis businesses, and provide tax relief for patients and businesses.

Florida

We can happily report that Florida has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis dispensaries to be essential, offering them temporary accommodations to better serve patients, and allowing telehealth visits for receiving or renewing medical recommendations. Florida could still improve their response by including allowing cultivators and processors to remain open, extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, allowing delivery or pick-up options for dispensaries, and offering tax relief to businesses and patients.

Guam

We are disappointed to report that Guam has not adopted any of our recommendations. They have not declared cannabis businesses to be essential, allowed for temporary dispensary accommodations or delivery, offered tax relief to businesses or patients, allowed recommendation or renewal by telemedicine, extended renewal deadlines, or increased patient limits for caregivers.

Hawai'i

While we are happy to report that Hawai’i has adopted our recommendations to allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals (but not for initial appointments) and declared cannabis businesses to be essential we are disappointed to say that they have not allowed for temporary dispensary accommodations or delivery, offered tax relief to businesses or patients, extended renewal deadlines, or increased patient limits for caregivers.

Illinois

We can happily report that Illinois has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators, processors and adult use dispensaries), allowing temporary dispensary accommodations like pick-up and delivery, and telehealth visits to receive a recommendation or renewal. Illinois could still improve their response by extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief for cannabis businesses and patients.

Iowa

We can happily report that Iowa has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential, allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals, giving dispensaries temporary accommodations including delivery and pickup options. Iowa could still improve their response by extending recommendation expirations, increasing caregiver patient limits, and offering tax relief to cannabis businesses and patients.

Louisiana

We can happily report that Louisiana has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors), allowing temporary dispensary accommodations like pick-up and delivery, and telehealth visits to receive a recommendation or renewal. Louisiana could still improve their response by extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief for cannabis businesses and patients.

Maine

We can happily report that Maine has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors), and allowing telehealth visits for recommendations and renewals. Maine could still improve their response by increasing patient limits for caregivers, extending recommendation expiration deadlines, allowing temporary delivery and pickup accommodations for dispensaries, and offering tax relief to businesses and patients.

Maryland

We can happily report that Maryland has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors), allowing temporary dispensary accommodations like online ordering, curbside pick-up, and telehealth visits to receive a recommendation or renewal. Maryland is also allowing an exception process for patients or caregivers unable to print a temporary ID card as long as patients present a valid Government issued photo ID and a Patient or Caregiver Identification number. Maryland could still improve their response by extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief for cannabis businesses and patients.

Massachusetts

We can happily report that Massachusetts has adopted our recommendations to declare medical cannabis dispensaries to be essential, offering them temporary accommodations like pick-up and delivery and allowing telehealth visits for receiving or renewing medical recommendations. Massachusetts could still improve their response by including allowing cultivators and processors to remain open, extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief to businesses and patients.

Michigan

We can happily report that Michigan has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential, offering them temporary accommodations like pick-up and delivery and allowing telehealth visits for receiving or renewing medical recommendations. Michigan could still improve their response by extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief to businesses and patients.

Minnesota

We can happily report that Minnesota has adopted almost all of our recommendations. Declaring cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors), allowing temporary dispensary accommodations like pick-up and delivery, telehealth visits to receive a recommendation or renewal, extending expiration deadlines, and lifting restrictions on caregivers to provide medications to the most vulnerable patients. Minnesota could still improve their response by offering tax relief for cannabis businesses and patients.

Missouri

While we are happy to report that Missouri has adopted our recommendation to allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals we are disappointed to say that they have not declared cannabis businesses to be essential, allowed for temporary dispensary accommodations or delivery, offered tax relief to businesses or patients, extended renewal deadlines, or increase patient limits for caregivers.

Montana

We are happy to report that in Montana dispensaries and cultivation centers have been classified as essential. Telemedicine is allowed for new and renewing patients to obtain their medical cannabis card. Deliveries are allowed if the local jurisdiction allows medical cannabis deliveries and curbside pickup is also allowed. Montana has not adopted our other recommendations such as offering tax relief to businesses or patients, extending renewal deadlines, or increasing patient limits for caregivers.

Nevada

We can happily report that Nevada has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors), allowing temporary accommodations to help better serve patients, and telehealth visits to receive a recommendation or renewal. Licensed cannabis dispensaries are allowed to deliver but curbside pickup is not allowed.Nevada could still improve their response by extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief for cannabis businesses and patients.

New Hampshire

We can happily report that New Hampshire has adopted our recommendations to allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals, extending expiration deadlines, giving dispensaries temporary accommodations including delivery and pickup options and increasing patient limits for caregivers. New Hampshire could still improve their response by officially declaring cannabis businesses to be essential and offering tax relief to cannabis businesses and patients.

New Jersey

We can happily report that New Jersey has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors), allowing temporary dispensary accommodations like pick-up and delivery, and telehealth visits to receive a recommendation or renewal. New Jersey could still improve their response by extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief for cannabis businesses and patients.

New Mexico

We can happily report that New Mexico has adopted almost all of our recommendations. Declaring cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors), allowing temporary dispensary accommodations like pick-up and delivery, telehealth visits for renewal, and extending expiration deadlines. New Mexico could still improve their response by allowing telehealth for new patients, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief for cannabis businesses and patients.

New York

We can happily report that New York has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors), allowing temporary dispensary accommodations like pick-up and delivery, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and allowing telehealth visits to receive a recommendation or renewal. New York could still improve their response by extending recommendation expiration deadlines, and offering tax relief for cannabis businesses and patients.

North Dakota

We are disappointed to report that North Dakota has not adopted any of our recommendations. They have not declared cannabis businesses to be essential, although they are not required to close at this time. They have not allowed for temporary dispensary accommodations, offered tax relief to businesses or patients, extended renewal deadlines, or increased patient limits for caregivers. They do allow delivery, but not curbside pickup. Telemedicine visits are also allowed.

Northern Mariana Islands

While we are happy to report that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has adopted our recommendation to allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals we are disappointed to say that they have not declared cannabis businesses to be essential, allowed for temporary dispensary accommodations or delivery, offered tax relief to businesses or patients, extended renewal deadlines, or increase patient limits for caregivers.

Ohio

We can happily report that Ohio has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis dispensaries and cultivation facilities to be essential, offering them temporary accommodations to better serve patients such as curbside pick up, and allowing telehealth visits for receiving or renewing medical recommendations. Ohio could still improve their response by including allowing cultivators and processors to remain open, extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, allowing delivery, and offering tax relief to businesses and patients.

Oklahoma

We can happily report that Oklahoma has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential (including cultivators and processors) and allowing temporary curbside pickup accommodations for dispensaries. Oklahoma also allows telemedicine to obtain a medical cannabis card. Oklahoma could still improve their response by allowing delivery, increasing patient limits for caregivers, extending expiration deadlines, and offering tax relief to businesses and patients.

Oregon

Oregon has allowed cannabis businesses to remain open if they physically distance customers, or use takeout and delivery services. We are happy to report that Oregon has adopted our recommendations to allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals, dispensary delivery and curbside pickup accommodations and other temporary allowances. However, we are disappointed to say that they have not included our other recommendations including offering tax relief to businesses or patients, extending renewal deadlines, or increasing patient limits for caregivers.

Pennsylvania

We can happily report that Pennsylvania has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis businesses to be essential, allow telehealth visits for recommendations and renewals, giving dispensaries temporary accommodations including delivery and pickup options, and increasing caregiver patient limits. Pennsylvania could still improve their response by allowing cultivators and processors to remain open, extending recommendation expirations, and offering tax relief to cannabis businesses and patients.

Puerto Rico

We are disappointed to report that Puerto Rico has not adopted any of our recommendations. They have not declared cannabis businesses to be essential, allowed for temporary dispensary accommodations or delivery, offered tax relief to businesses or patients, allowed recommendation or renewal by telemedicine, extended renewal deadlines, or increased patient limits for caregivers.

Rhode Island

We can happily report that Rhode Island has adopted our recommendations to declare cannabis dispensaries to be essential, offering them temporary accommodations like pick-up and delivery and allowing telehealth visits for receiving or renewing medical recommendations. Rhode Island could still improve their response by including allowing cultivators and processors to remain open, extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief to businesses and patients.

Texas

We are disappointed to report that Texas has not adopted any of our recommendations. They have not declared cannabis businesses to be essential, allowed for temporary dispensary accommodations or delivery, offered tax relief to businesses or patients, allowed recommendation or renewal by telemedicine, extended renewal deadlines, or increased patient limits for caregivers.

Utah

While licensed cannabis businesses can remain open at this time in Utah, we are disappointed to report that Utah has not adopted any of our recommendations. They do not allow for temporary dispensary accommodations for delivery or curbside pickup, offer tax relief to businesses or patients, extend renewal deadlines, or increase patient limits for caregivers. They do allow telemedicine visits for renewal but not for new patients.

Vermont

While Vermont dispensaries are allowed to remain open, they are strongly encouraged to use phone and on-line orders only. We can happily report that Vermont has adopted our recommendations to allow telehealth visits for recommendation renewals, extending expiration deadlines, and giving dispensaries temporary accommodations including delivery and pickup options. Vermont could still improve their response by increasing patient limits for caregivers and offering tax relief to cannabis businesses and patients.

Washington

We can happily report that Washington has adopted our recommendations to declare all cannabis businesses to be essential, offering them temporary accommodations like pick-up and delivery and allowing telehealth visits for renewing medical recommendations. Washington could still improve their response by allowing telehealth for initial visits, extending recommendation expiration deadlines, increasing patient limits for caregivers, and offering tax relief to businesses and patients.