by Rick Thompson/December 14, 2020
Some of the modifications made to the cannabis business industry in response to the pandemic crisis may stick around for a long time, suggested Director Andrew Brisbo of the Marijuana Regulatory Agency during an interview on Four20Post with hosts Mike Brennan, Rick Thompson and Jamie Cooper. The podcast aired on Wednesday, December 9 and featured guest Stevan Bratic from Bratic Industries.
“In looking at some of the things we’ve learned from the pandemic,” Director Brisbo reflected, “we were pretty restrictive on point-of-sale transactions.”
That prohibition had included a no-drive thru windows policy and a prohibition on cannabis transfers in non-controlled areas of the retail location. Then, Covid came to town and the MRA authorized a slew of adjustments in policy, including expanded delivery services and curbside service for cannabis transfers.
Even after the pandemic subsides, consumer purchasing habits will have been changed forever. “In-person contact… it’s something that’s always going to be on our minds now,” Brisbo stated. Offering retail customers a variety of purchase methods will be a necessity within the general consumer environment for years to come.
That means some of the MRA’s temporary allowances might become permanent parts of the cannabis program’s governing law.
“One thing we are going to look at in our administrative rules as we move ahead,” mused Director Brisbo, “is allowing for drive thru service, allowing for curbside service but figuring out how we can engage in that and still have the same focus on safety and security that we have in in-person transactions within a facility.”
The Marijuana Regulatory Agency is “Trying to think ahead to new technologies that might be utilized,” the Director added. “I’ve heard some interesting ideas about consumer authentication and limiting contact. We want to be on the forefront of allowing businesses to engage in that so we can do it in the safest way possible and in a business-friendly way.”
You can watch the video below to hear all of the Director’s comments on the year that was and the market that will be… in 2021.
Four20Post broadcasts each week at 1pm on Wednesdays via their Facebook page. Catch them at the following link:
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