The state of Michigan saw a record week of marijuana sales in the middle of March but then tumbled after when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a “stay-at-home” order on March 24th.
According to a report from Crain’s that cites data from the Marijuana Regulatory Agency, Michigan adult-use recreational sales, before taxes, totaled $4.6 million between March 23-29.
This is 20 percent lower than sales the week prior at $5.8 million. This means that marijuana users may have stockpiled product ahead of the Governor’s order.
Despite marijuana dispensaries still being open as they are deemed essential businesses under Whitmer’s executive order, many retailers have been selling only curbside transactions to vehicles or delivering to homes.
Per Crain’s report, as of April 1st, 45 of the state’s 72 licensed retailers are approved for home delivery, according to data provided by the MRA.
Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders also lost their jobs in the last two weeks which may explain the slump as well.
Colorado has also seen similar drops in sales. Lisa Gee, director of marketing and corporate social responsibility for Denver-based Lightshade, told Marijuana Business Daily that Colorado’s slump comes from stockpiling product ahead of the outbreak and tourism drying up.
“The entire tourism industry shut down,” she said. “The ski areas officially closed three weeks ago. This would have been spring break, so you’re removing an entire sector.”
