The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused many people to panic and stock up on supplies leading to a shortage of supplies. Cannabis is one of the items that people are buying extra of, as it is seen as an essential.

Cannabis retailers are reporting huge increases in sales, both online and in person. This is a trend that is happening across the country, as more and more states legalize recreational cannabis. This is great news for the industry, and it shows that there is a strong demand for legal cannabis products.

What Is Cannabis?

Cannabis is a plant species in the family Cannabaceae. It includes three primary subspecies: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis has been used for a variety of purposes, including for its medicinal and recreational effects. It is also known for its psychoactive compounds, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

What Is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. It is responsible for the “high” commonly associated with cannabis use. THC acts on the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which are involved in the regulation of mood, appetite, and other cognitive functions. The amount of THC in cannabis varies depending on the strain, with some strains having higher levels of THC than others.

What Is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD is one of many compounds, known as cannabinoids, that are found in the cannabis plant. Unlike the more well-known compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not produce the “high” commonly associated with cannabis use.

CBD has become increasingly popular in recent years as a natural remedy for a variety of health conditions, including anxiety, pain, and insomnia. It is also used to manage symptoms of conditions such as multiple sclerosis and help with epilepsy. CBD is available in a variety of forms, including oils, capsules, and topical creams.

How are licensed producers reacting to the COVID-19 shortage?

What does this mean for licensed producers of cannabis who now have to provide for unemployed and TP-deprived Canadians? Can they keep up with demand while also managing health risks amongst their staff and customers? And if so, how?

In light of the outbreak of COVID-19, licensed producers are taking measures to protect themselves and their employees. Many are instituting policies such as working from home, increasing sanitation efforts, and providing personal protective equipment. Some licensed producers are even donating their products to help people affected by the virus. These efforts show that licensed producers are committed to ensuring the safety of their employees and the public.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges for businesses across Canada, cannabis providers have remained operational. By continuing to serve their customers, these businesses have shown their commitment to meeting the needs of the community.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many licensed cannabis producers are remaining fully operational while implementing new health protocols and encouraging employees to work from home when possible. Companies such as Zenabis, Aurora, Canopy, and 48North are leading the way in ensuring that the cannabis industry can continue to function safely and effectively during these challenging times.

“The COVID-19 situation remains fluid and with the health and safety of our team as a priority, 48North is working hard with our provincial partners to ensure our products are available to all Canadians,” said Charles Vennat, CEO at 48North. At his factories, shifts and breaks have been staggered to limit person-to-person contact, health procedures have been strengthened, and additional employment insurance is offered to those who may fall ill.

Similarly, Aurora has announced the activation of its crisis preparedness program. This includes cancelling work travel for its employees and monitoring and discouraging personal travel. By taking these precautions, Aurora is demonstrating its commitment to keeping its employees and the general public safe.

Although the situation is constantly changing, our production facilities have not experienced any disruptions and remain fully operational. We have a strong supply chain in place and are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that we can continue to meet our customers’ needs.

In response to the novel Coronavirus outbreak, Canopy Growth is implementing a digital-first solution to meet the growing demand. This solution will help us to continue serving our customers while protecting the health and safety of our employees.

We have made a strategic decision to focus on e-commerce instead of traditional retail, and our platforms for adult customers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are fully supported. Patients are able to access SpectrumTherapeutics.com as they normally would, and the independently-owned branded stores in Regina and Ontario are staying open for now.

Although Canadians have been experiencing disruptions in cannabis deliveries from Canada Post, it is still possible to order cannabis online and avoid having to go to a brick-and-mortar dispensary.

Should Canadians expect a shortage?

Although sales have increased substantially, there is no indication that Canada will experience a shortage of cannabis.

The recent doubling of sales through the provincial OCs store in Ontario has not raised any red flags.

Our licensed producer partners keep us updated on their progress, and we don’t have any reasons to be concerned at this time, says Daffyd Roderick, Director of Communications at the Ontario Cannabis Store.

Aurora is well-positioned to meet the demand for its products.

In the medical cannabis field, producers like WeedMD are taking similar precautions, but don’t anticipate a shortage.

Our company is well-prepared to meet the demands of the market, with 17 cultivation rooms that are all cycling through various stages of production. We have a mother room and two propagation rooms in our hybrid greenhouse, and we’re able to stagger our rooms so that harvest schedules are spaced out. This allows us to be more efficient in our production and packaging, and get products to market quickly. With the 10 additional rooms that came online in the second half of 2019, we’re now seeing the full production capabilities of our cultivation platform.

Conclusion

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