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RETAILERS RAKE IN PROFITS AS CONSUMERS LOAD-UP FOR A LOCKDOWN Cannabis retailers in Oregon and other legal states saw a notable increase in business as consumers flocked to dispensaries over the first major weekend of the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak. Toilet paper, groceries and guns weren’t the only items flying off shelves as consumers took to stockpiling quarantine goods. According to Headset Inc., a Cannabis industry analytics provider, sales were “about 75% higher” as concerns over city-wide lockdowns continued to grow. Chris Mitchem, the CEO of Diem, an Oregon dispensary, told Portland Business Journal that the company had experienced a 50% jump in delivery and a 25% increase in store sales. “It’s very fulfilling to be able to SALES WERE provide an essential service,” Mitchem “ABOUT 75% HIGHER” said. “But nobody knows how this is AS CONCERNS going to unfold and there are definitely OVER CITY-WIDE risks we’re thinking about.” LOCKDOWNS CONTINUED Those risks are something TO GROW. dispensaries around Oregon are trying to mitigate, despite Oregon retail regulations that can make it hard to adapt purchasing protocols. Many locations have ramped up delivery or pick-up efforts and implemented strict social distancing measures for in-store customers.
GOVERNOR KATE BROWN SUSPENDS GATHERINGS IN EFFORT TO CURB COVID-19 SPREAD
GREEN LEAF LAB OWNER ROWSHAN REORDAN
GREEN LEAF LAB RECEIVES FIRST A2LA ACCREDITATION IN OREGON
Green Leaf Labs has received the State of Oregon’s first American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) acknowledgment. The testing facility, located in Portland, has been accredited with ISO/ IEC 17025 status, a designation defined by a series of requirements put forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the only independent, non-profit and ”internationally-recognized laboratory accreditation body in the United States.” THE EXTRA According to ISO, this status means that the designee meets the STATUS OPENS UP “general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration THE POTENTIAL laboratories.” While ISO accreditation is not a requirement for Oregon FOR SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION. labs, the extra status opens up the potential for scientific collaboration. Labs around the world with this ISO accreditation can share test results and certificates, since an organization with the ISO/IEC 17025 label has demonstrated standardized technical competence and produced reliable results. “Receiving our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, in addition to required state accreditation, affirms our commitment to quality science and leadership in this industry,” Green Leaf Lab Owner Rowshan Reordan said in a press release.
oregonlEAF.COM
An executive order put forth by Governor Kate Brown prohibited social gatherings amid the global COVID-19 outbreak. Areas around the globe have implemented similar tactics to curb the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. Governor Brown’s announcement, made on March 16, included “a statewide cancelation of all events and gatherings larger than 25 people - exempting essential locations like workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies and retail stores.” Oregon officials, along with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have recommended avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people to limit exposure. As concerns over the outbreak continue to spread, experts and health officials around the globe have expressed uncertainty in how long social distancing measures will be necessary. The restrictions set in place by Gov. Brown went into effect on March 17 and will last “for at least four weeks.” Multiple event cancellations followed the order as organizers scrambled to forecast an outcome. Gatherings such as the Cultivation Classic have been put on hold and the Degenerate Flame Off (scheduled for June) organizers stopped selling tickets until further notice. If you have plans to attend a Cannabis event this month, be sure to confirm with the event organizers. For more information and statewide news and updates, visit www.Oregon.gov/oha and click on their COVID-19 page.
APR. 2020
OLCC MAKES TEMPORARY CHANGES TO MARIJUANA WORKERS’ PERMIT PROCESS
The OLCC has loosened regulations for Marijuana Worker Permits, in a move to expand employer access to employees. The temporary change is effective March 18 through April 30 and is in direct response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Workers that have submitted a permit test and application won’t have to wait for OLCC approval to begin work at licensed facilities, a decision that could help companies keep doors open as staff call in sick and choose to self-isolate.
STORIES by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
