New England Treatment Access said Friday that it has made the decision to reduce its workforce and place a number of our employees on furloughs following the halt of recreational marijuana sales amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month, Gov. Charlie Baker banned all non-essential businesses from operating in Massachusetts. While medical marijuana was considered essential business by the governor’s office, recreational marijuana was not.

“Governor Baker’s decision to halt the sale of adult-use cannabis has resulted in the unintended consequences of restricting important access for customers who rely on cannabis for their well-being and the loss of jobs for many hard working employees in our industry,” said a statement from Amanda Rositano, the president of NETA.

NETA has seen a drop of about 85% in store traffic without recreational sales and because of changes to its business model to allow for social distancing and other measures, Rositano said.

“Given this situation, we have no alternative than to make the extremely difficult decision to reduce our valued workforce to adjust to this new normal, as well as place a number of our employees on furloughs until the Governor lifts his order against adult-use sales,” the statement said.

The statement did not specify how many employees would be placed on furlough. Adult-use sales are stopped until at least May 4.

Members of the marijuana industry have called for Baker to reverse his decision. A group of recreational stores sued the governor this week, arguing that many people who use marijuana as medicine are not registered with the state’s medical program.

“Adult use cannabis is an important therapy for many customers who cannot be on a state registry for a federally illegal product and can help reduce the burden on the public health system for those suffering from pain, anxiety, sleeplessness and other debilitating conditions – at a time when it is needed the most,” the statement read. “Allowing adult use access to only Massachusetts residents while abiding by the comprehensive store safety protocols that are already in place, would benefit many individuals who cannot afford medical registration fees, veterans who cannot be on the registry, as well as others who rely on state-tested alternatives to opioids and cannot navigate the regulatory process.”

Rositano’s statement said NETA has had conversations with Baker and his staff to reiterate that marijuana companies can ensure public safety while meeting the health needs of the community, and therefore preserve jobs. She cautioned that the consequence of no adult-use sales could mean more people turning to the illicit market.

As the COVID-19 crisis began to emerge, NETA made changes in its operations to follow guidelines from the CDC and local health officials to promote social distancing. The company has a dedicated COVID-19 Task Force that oversees and updates protective measures, the statement said.

“We are concerned and cautious about the public health of all residents at this uncertain time,” Rositano said. “Our priority continues to be ensuring the safety of our associates, our customers and our communities, while balancing our obligation and commitment to provide cannabis as an ‘essential’ medical service for the well-being of our patients and consumers.”

NETA has dispensaries in Brookline and Northampton and a cultivation facility in Franklin.

Last week, NETA confirmed that two employees had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. On employee works at NETA’s cultivation facility in Franklin and the other employee works at the Northampton dispensary. NETA contracted with a third-party cleaning service for a deep cleanse of the facilities.

“Our heart goes out to our employees who have been impacted from the circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis. As we part ways with many talented people, we want to thank them for their passion, their dedication, and all they’ve done to help us care for our patients and customers,” Rositano’s statement said. “We are steadfast in our mission of providing cannabis products to improve the well-being of those we serve, and look forward to opening our doors again to our adult use customers.”

Earlier this week, the state Cannabis Control Commission told employees of marijuana companies who believe they are working in unsafe conditions or must continue working when non-essential that they can file a complaint with the Commission at Commission@CCCMass.Com with the subject line “COVID-19 Agent Complaint.”

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