Nevadans are adding cannabis to their pandemic stockpiles of eggs and milk as self-isolation measures take hold against COVID-19. Dispensaries report sharp sales increases, with consumers ordering bulk deliveries to avoid in-person contact. State regulators enforce no-waiting rules while expediting delivery approvals to sustain access, especially for medical patients.
Sales Surge Mirrors Holiday Peaks
Marijuana sales in Nevada have jumped 25 percent at some dispensaries over recent days, according to Sol Cannabis owner Ed Alexander. Nationwide data from BDS Analytics shows a 10 percent rise in purchase volume and 20 percent increase in product amounts, comparable to the April 20 cannabis holiday. Consumers favor raw flower over edibles or concentrates, signaling medical users preparing for extended home confinement.
Delivery Shifts and Purchase Limits
Dispensaries like Reno's Mynt see doubled orders within state caps of one ounce per purchase, spanning edibles, vapes, and flower. Delivery volumes have climbed as officials close other businesses, with no shelves emptied yet. Owners pivot from handshake greetings and events to remote service, while staff wear gloves, sanitize surfaces between customers, and limit facility entry.
Supply Fears Drive Bulk Buying
Fear of shortages prompts stockpiling, much like toilet paper or groceries, notes industry analyst Matt Karnes of GreenWave Advisors. Supply chains show vulnerabilities if hoarding persists, though demand could wane if stay-home orders reduce dispensary traffic, warns BDS CEO Roy Bingham. Medical patients, often immunocompromised and using cannabis for pain relief, rely on phone consultations to minimize exposure.
Regulatory Adaptations Sustain Operations
Nevada's Department of Taxation speeds vehicle inspections via video for more deliveries, maintaining oversight in a cash-heavy industry prone to past contamination issues. Unlike some Colorado closures, Nevada keeps doors open alongside states like California, New York, and Michigan, prioritizing medical access. Cash exchanges and ID checks persist even in deliveries, underscoring challenges in contactless transactions.
