LANSING, MI -- In order to limit exposure to the coronavirus, Michigan is temporarily allowing curbside pickup at marijuana stores across the state.

Additionally, the state Marijuana Regulatory Agency in a statement issued Monday, March 16, encouraged medical marijuana patients and recreational marijuana customers to place delivery orders when possible. There are about 15 recreational marijuana retailers and 66 medical marijuana dispensaries approved for home delivery, according to the state licensing website.

The Marijuana Regulatory Agency is temporarily lifting a requirement that anyone placing a marijuana order have an ID with the same address as the delivery location and is committing to processing delivery service license requests for already licensed businesses within 48 hours.

“During a crisis like this, you really get to see if state government is prepared or not,” said Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Director Robin Schneider, who heads a marijuana trade organization with 200 licensed business members. "And in this case, our department is absolutely shining ... "

Schneider said her members have asked for the ability to make curbside sales outside their businesses in order to limit personal contact in stores. Customers may place orders online, by phone or in person, depending on the the location, Schneider said.

“The curbside pickup is going to make a world of difference in order to to protect the workers in this process,” she said.

The Marijuana Regulatory Agency said customers may “remain in their parked vehicle in the parking lot of a licensed provisioning center or adult-use retailer.”

“Customers may complete an order including payment for their product via the internet or they may place their order once parked at the facility,” the Marijuana Regulatory Agency said. “An employee from the licensed facility or adult-use establishment is permitted to complete the sales transaction by interacting with the customer in the parking lot and recording the necessary information into the statewide monitoring system.”

The “temporary permissions” are in place until the agency terminates them through a future announcement.

Schneider said marijuana sales have been spiking as coronovirus concerns and related closings expand.

“There has been an increase of customers who are stockpiling both medical and recreational cannabis and sales are definitely up, just like other essentials,” Schneider said.

She said marijuana will be important to some during this crisis “in order to relive the stress.”

PREVENTION TIPS

Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state-government resources and the response to the coronavirus spread. It has shared the following tips:

What you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

· Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.

For statewide and national information on the virus, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

· Stay home if you are sick and advise others to do the same.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

· Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

· Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and warm water are not available.

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).

· It’s not too late to get your flu shot! While the influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 infection, it can help keep you healthy during the flu season.

READ MORE:

Complete coverage at mlive.com/coronavirus

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