From the Editor

The Long Road Ahead

As we slowly slip into the winter months, one thing is clear: all of us have a long road ahead. But just because the road is long doesn’t mean it has to be rocky. December is usually a reflective month between the holidays and the end of the year, but it’s especially true for 2020. Yet I find myself surprisingly hopeful and optimistic about next year, as well as the cannabis industry at large. (I’ll do my best to refrain from using the word that shall not be named in this editor’s letter as I think we’re all sick and tired of hearing it at this point).

Cannabis as an Essential Service: During the first wave of the pandemic, licensed producers and cultivators were allowed to remain open as they were deemed an essential service. Even more remarkable was that this was mandated, not by the federal government, but ratified by each province individually to remain operational. In may cases, brick-and-mortar cannabis retailers were given special provisions for delivery and/or curbside pickup, while remaining closed to the public at large.

Cannabis Sales Are Up: During the first wave, spikes in cannabis sales could be seen across Canada as many people began hoarding cannabis not knowing how long cannabis retailers would remain “closed”. The fact remains more people are working from home, voluntarily limiting travel or refusing to leave the house unnecessarily for fear of risking community spread or infection. Similarly, the more this pandemic drags on the more we’re likely going to see increased cases of depression, anxiety and insomnia. And while no budtender can legally recommend cannabis as a treatment for the aforementioned ailments, I wouldn’t been surprised if we saw increased sales in cannabis from new and experienced connoisseurs alike.

It Exposed (and Brought Awareness of) Gaps in the System:

During the first wave of the pandemic, the Ontario government allowed cannabis retailers the option to deliver their products to consumers, a monopolistic provision only allowed to Ontario Cannabis Stores (OCS) previously. In late July, the provincial government took that provision away, and only allowed for inperson purchase of recreational cannabis within brick-and-mortar stores. The pandemic has exposed many gaps in the cannabis marketplace. Chief among them, I would argue, access to medical cannabis to patients. While this is nothing new, the pandemic has certainly brought about greater awareness to these shortcomings. Hopefully, this will lead to changes in the near future as more of these issues are brought to light.

No one can predict the future, and to say that we have a long road ahead is an understatement, but there’s also strength in knowing what we have ahead as well. If we can take anything from 2020, let it be that.

David Halpert President / CEO, Straight Dope Media Inc.

@cannabispromag