San Francisco, New York Declare Marijuana Dispensaries as ‘Essential’ Businesses

"Essential" businesses now include marijuana dispensaries in San Francisco and New York.

San Francisco made headlines on Monday, March 16 with Mayor London Breed announced that all non-essential businesses would be closed starting at 12:01 AM on March 17 and remain closed until April 7. At the time of the announcement, NPR notes marijuana dispensaries were not initially included as an essential business alongside grocery stores and gas stations. However, that decision was reversed with the San Francisco Department of Public Health tweeting on March 17, "Cannabis is an essential medicine for many San Francisco residents. Dispensaries can continue to operate as essential businesses during this time, while practicing social distancing and other public health recommendations."

As for New York City, NPR reports that Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor  Bill de Blasio are currently "at odds at whether a 'shelter in place' order should be put into effect," with Mayor de Blasio in favor of the action and Governor Cuomo against. However, both appear to support deeming dispensaries as essential businesses with a spokesperson for Governor Cuomo telling NPR, "...registered organizations in the State's Medical Marijuana Program are essential medical providers and will [be] allowed to remain open."