How Dispensaries can Stay Clean Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted by Toker Grace on Mar 30, 2020 2:49:51 PM

As outlined by recent news, cannabis dispensaries and cannabis delivery services have been marked as ‘essential businesses’ by their corresponding governments. In fact, cannabis retail and delivery sales have been up approximately 10 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic and ‘Stay Home Initiative’. However, consumers, patients, budtenders, and other members of the cannabis industry are concerned with how dispensaries and cannabis delivery services are staying clean and sanitized amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few ways the industry is maintaining a clean work and service environment during these terrifying times.

Proper and Consistent Hygienics

One of the frontline defensive measures against germs and viruses is proper and consistent handwashing. More often than not, this is mandated by virtually every establishment within every industry. This is because federal agencies such as OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandated proper and consistent cleaning, sanitizing, and hygienics for every business. The same goes for cannabis dispensaries and cannabis delivery services. This includes constant handwashing after every transaction, bathroom visits, and even when handling known allergies (i.e. gluten, peanuts). 

Additionally, businesses have kicked their cleaning and sanitation methods up a notch in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dispensary operators and managers have mandated more handwashing, shelf and glass wipe downs with the proper sanitizing solutions, and even providing budtenders and cannabis delivery drivers with surgical masks. By constantly fighting the risk of the growth of bacteria, dispensaries and cannabis delivery services can protect themselves as well as the company’s product and reputation.

Implementing Curbside Drop-offs

Another way dispensaries and cannabis delivery services are attempting to curb the dangers of Coronavirus is by implementing curbside drop-offs. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery services such Doordash, Grubhub, and Postmates mandated a ‘doorstep dropoff’ program to help promote social distancing. Cannabis delivery services have also adopted this method of providing curbside (no-contact) deliveries.Normally, this practice is in a grey area since the consumer must verify their identity when receiving cannabis in the dispensary or at their door. This is because somewho who is underaged or not allowed to legally possess cannabis can hijack the curbside drop-off. However, the curbside drop-off program has been successful in increasing delivery sales as well as social distancing. The less chances there are for prolonged human interactions, the more susceptible we are to contracting viruses such as COVID-19.

Increased ‘Utility Belt’ for Cannabis Delivery Drivers

In addition to increasing cleaning and sanitation as well as the implementation of no-contact deliveries by cannabis businesses, companies are mandating their delivery drivers increase their cleaning and sanitation supplies while on the clock. This includes but is not limited to:

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Air-sanitizing spray
• Bleach-based all purpose wipes
• Surgical masks
• Disposable latex or vinyl gloves
• And even biohazard bags…

Although these items may seem excessive, they are extremely necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hand sanitizer will serve as an alternative to washing hands when delivery drivers are not able to do so. Air-sanitizing sprays such as Lysol Neutra-air and Ozium are designed with cleaning and sanitizing chemicals to remove the germs from your air space. Bleach-based wipes are also a good investment as the inside of the vehicle, door handles (the customers as well as your own), steering wheels, bags, and virtually anything else a cannabis delivery driver will come in contact with during their shift. Moreover, by wearing a surgical mask as well as disposable vinyl gloves, cannabis delivery drivers can increase social distancing while warding off any germs that may be present during deliveries. The biohazard bags are necessary for cannabis delivery drivers who feel they have come in contact with a contaminated item (such as their own masks and gloves) and can properly dispose of them. With these methods, as a community, we can curb the COVID-19 pandemic while making sure cannabis businesses remain open.