How the Coronavirus can Destroy the Cannabis Industry

Posted by Toker Grace on Mar 6, 2020 2:30:12 PM

Since the beginning of 2020, there have been two primary talking points: the 2020 Presidential Elections as well as Coronavirus. Quite frankly, both topics are terrifying to think about. Moreover, stakeholders in the cannabis industry are concerned that the latter may have a massive impact on cannabis sales and consumption. But why is that? Let’s take a look at how the Coronavirus could potentially damage the cannabis industry.

What Exactly is the Coronavirus?

The Coronavirus is a SARS-like virus that was discovered in January of 2020. Coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China. However, Coronavirus has now been identified in almost 70 locations around the world, including in the United States of America. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” by the Center for Disease Control, or CDC. The Coronavirus is also known by its alias ‘COVID-19,’ due to it being detected toward the end of the 2019 calendar year.

Source of the Coronavirus

It is currently unknown exactly where COVID-19 comes from originally. Some researchers believe that COVID-19 originated in cattle, camels, rats, or bats and was eventually transmitted to humans. Researchers believe that the livestock to be the culprit due to COVID-19’s viral similarities to other viruses such as SARS, MERS, and others.

How the Coronavirus is Transmitted

Like most viral outbreaks, Coronavirus can be easily transmitted from person-to-person or even animal-to-person. The Center for Disease Control states that COVID-19 can be transmitted by coming within 6 feet of an infected individual. It is also possible to contract COVID-19 by coming in contact with contaminated surfaces such as toilets, sinks, countertops, and others.

Symptoms of Coronavirus

Similar to most common viruses, symptoms associated with the Coronavirus mirror those of flu-like symptoms. This includes:

• Runny nose
• Fever
• Chills
• A nagging cough
• Shortness of breath

Defending Yourself Against COVID-19

At the time of this post, no vaccine or antibiotic can help impede the growth and transmission of COVID-19. The best defense against Coronavirus is regular to obsessive hand washing with the hottest temperature you can withstand. The CDC also recommends self-quarantine anywhere from 2 to 14 days if an individual believes they have contracted COVID-19. If self-quarantine is not an option, consider stocking up on sterilized masks as well as alcohol-based sanitizers.

Cannabis and Coronavirus

The danger associated with Coronavirus and cannabis is quite obvious. Since most cannabis is ingested orally and often shared between parties, the risk of contracting Coronavirus while smoking cannabis is tenfold. This is because of cannabis’s ability to bring on respiratory issues such as shortness of breath, pneumonia, and more. It is a bad idea to consume cannabis when an individual is concerned that they have contracted a respiratory illness of any kind as it can hinder the repair of the cilia (the filtering hairs located inside the lungs).

The Cannabis Industry and COVID-19

Stakeholders and stockholders alike are genuinely concerned about how Coronavirus can impact the cannabis industry. COVID-19 has made its way into over 70 nations around the globe, including known cannabis markets such as the Netherlands and even in Los Angeles, California. At the time of this point, cannabis stocks have not been affected by the pandemic. However, with COVID-19 literally on the doorstep of dispensaries in the nation, the industry could be affected immediately. At the beginning of the year, Forbes estimated the cannabis industry to exceed $200 billion by 2030. However, these figures were calculated before the outbreak of Coronavirus. If you believe you may have contracted COVID-19, contact the appropriate emergency personnel (from a distance) and put a pause on the cannabis consumption until further notice.