The Covid-19 world pandemic has exerted its influence not only on how we as individuals can go about our lives, but also on industry, commerce and the economy as a whole. With many companies having closed their doors for the time being, and retail outlets also having to shut up shop, the USA is a vastly different place right now to that of just a few months ago. What is interesting is how the crisis has affected the cannabis industry.

In fact, there reports from licensed cannabis retailers of record sales thanks to customers stocking up on their supplies in the face of uncertainty, and there are no signs that this particular industry has been hard hit. There are also some indications that – as is expected in some other areas of retail and commerce – the way consumers approach cannabis and how they buy it may not have changed just for now, but also for the future beyond the pandemic. Let’s talk about three noticeable ways this period of quarantine has changed the cannabis industry.

1 – No More Waiting in Line

It’s not only the cannabis industry that has seen a change in shopping habits that may remain in place beyond the days of covid-19, and nor is it only the USA. Many people who would have previously gone to their trusted supplier on the high street for their cannabis have switched to using online purchasing, as well as the convenience of ‘click and collect’. Delivery, and the option for sidewalk collections, have become necessary in many retail industries – groceries and drinks notably – and online cannabis shopping has become much more popular.

According to some online vape shops and head shops, their Dry Herb Vaporizer category and Wax Pen category have shown a substantial increase. It is also interesting to note that research has shown many people who have been using click and collect, and online shopping, in the cannabis sector for the first time due to the crisis say they intend to continue doing so afterwards.

2 – Edibles and Beverages are In Demand

It would appear that with people now searching for cannabis products online, they have discovered much more than they previously knew existed. The result is the edibles and beverages infused with cannabis are now big business, much to the delight of the brands involved. It is expected that this sector of the cannabis market will play a large part in the predicted sales boom that is expected to continue throughout and beyond the covid-19 lockdown term. This is good news for those who want to try something new, and for the retailers and manufacturers who had expected it to be a sector of the market that would take far longer to grow.

3 – The Rise of Value Brands

Financial uncertainty is a product of the current situation, with people off work and unable to be sure of their future, hence the rise of ‘value’ cannabis brands, with many suppliers seeing the need for discounts and reduced prices to help their customers. Many industry commentators believe that the quarantine event has simply accelerated what would have happened in the cannabis market over the next couple of years – consumers would begin looking to lower and medium-priced products rather than the ‘luxury’ items that were previously the norm – and that this is another area of the market that will remain as it is once the crisis is resolved.

While all areas of commerce weather the storm, it would seem the cannabis industry is not feeling the downturn as much as some, and has been quick to modify its routines to satisfy customers.

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