Last Updated on 16th March 2020

Cannabis stores experienced a flurry of sales as shutdowns caused many businesses to close their doors.

Customers around the world lined up around the block to get their supply of cannabis amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Shutdowns across the world will prohibit the opening of many businesses including cannabis dispensaries.

In Boston, the WGBH network broadcast images of customers lining up outside the New England Treatment Access (NETA) in Brookline. NETA is one of a small number of licensed dispensaries in Massachusetts.

Reporting for WGBH, Tori Bedford said, “In Brookline, marijuana dispensary New England Treatment Access has eliminated all walk-in orders due to a high volume of customers, and will now only serve customers who place orders in advance. “In light of the current environment, we will remain open,” an announcement on the NETA website reads, “but will move to Reserve Ahead only starting on Saturday.”

Workers inside the dispensary took precautions wearing latex gloves and stationing hand sanitizer and disinfectant near every check out counter.

Dutch panic

In Holland, the government announced that from March 15th until April 6th there is to be a shutdown of all coffee shops and cafes. In anticipation, customers lined up to get their last-minute supplies from the shut down took effect.

Cannabis is still illegal in the Netherlands, but the nation decriminalised possession of less than five grammes (0.18 ounces) of the substance in 1976 under an aptly-named “tolerance” policy.

As more countries tighten their border controls and social-distancing increases there is likely to be more increases in last-minute cannabis sales.

However, governments worldwide note that is important to not panic-buy as there is no supply scarcity.