KEY POINTS

  • Marijuana sales in New York City go up 50 percent after coronavirus hit the country
  • People are consuming marijuana to reduce stress and pass time
  • New York City has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country

New York City is badly hit with the coronavirus pandemic. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the city witnesses a sharp increase in marijuana sales.

According to a New York Post report, after the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, marijuana sales rose by 50 percent between March 16 and 22 across states like California, Oregon, and Colorado.

Vladimir Bautista, the CEO of a marijuana lifestyle company called HappyMunkey, stated that his consumption has increased due to stress and extra time at hand.

“My consumption has gone up by 50 percent due to the extra time and stress. It is helping me tremendously during these crazy times to cope with the fear of unknown . . . and [to] prioritize what’s important in life,” Bautista said.

Meanwhile, a Manhattan-based marijuana dealer said that business has seen a 50 percent rise in these times. The dealer said that people are happy that his services are operational despite the crisis, and customers are thankful for the services.

However, another marijuana distributor in New York City has halted its services this week.

“We are suspending deliveries until further notice, due to concerns over rapid spread of COVID-19 within the city . . . We urge you to stop inviting deliveries into your home and prepare yourselves and your loved ones,” Brooklyn Arboretum wrote a note to its clients.

Meanwhile, a new poll suggested that medicinal marijuana dispensaries should be considered essential services amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Do you believe medical marijuana dispensaries should or should not be considered essential services?” the survey asked, Boston Globe reported.

The survey results pointed out that 53 percent feel the marijuana dispensaries should be considered as essential services, while 26 percent stated they aren’t, and 21 percent mentioned they didn’t know.

The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 31,000 people as of Sunday, March 29, according to Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, more than 679,000 people have tested positive with coronavirus.

A jar of Insane OG, a strain of marijuana, at the opening of 'Dr. Greenthumb,' a medical and recreational marijuana dispensary in Sylmar, California
A jar of Insane OG, a strain of marijuana, at the opening of 'Dr. Greenthumb,' a medical and recreational marijuana dispensary in Sylmar, California AFP / Frederic J. BROWN
RELATED STORIES
Coronavirus Foxconn New york city