Marijuana Dispensaries Remain as Essential Businesses

In many places, marijuana has been considered as an essential business, including Florida. As Florida municipalities and counties have started to close nonessential businesses to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, they have exempted what are deemed “essential” businesses like healthcare providers, gas stations, banks and news outlets. But what about medical marijuana treatment centers? According to Florida statute, marijuana dispensaries are considered an essential service and are to be treated like retail pharmacies. In most cases, the marijuana businesses must, like restaurants, limit themselves to taking orders for delivery or curbside pickup because of the COVID-19 epidemic.