The Covid-19 omicron variant is now confirmed in the U.S. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot known about it. Scientists suspect the omicron variant could be more contagious than the original virus as well as the delta variant. However they can’t make any conclusions yet as more information is needed.

And since the U.S. is in the middle of the holiday season, where travelling surges, stores and other retailers in the cannabis and hemp industry are preparing in different ways. 

Lockdown 

During the original lockdown in March and April of 2020, many retailers struggled to make sales. However, those with online marketing saw a massive surge in sales and demand that has continued throughout 2020 and into 2021. When stores began opening again at limited capacity in May 2020, online sales were still exponential. It wasn’t until the vaccine started rolling out at the beginning of 2021 that in person sales began to climb again. 

But omicron is presenting different challenges during this holiday 2021 season. Several stores report limiting the number of individuals and staff at any given time. Masks are also required again to enter some stores. 

Responses

​​“We have seen an uptick in phone calls in reference to omicron,” said Lance Robertson. He owns a CBD store in Georgia. “The community has been through [a lockdown] before and they’re taking control of their own health and wellness needs.”

Another store, this time a cannabis store in Massachusetts, is taking a bit more of a relaxed tone when it comes to the omicron variant and their business. “I don’t know that I would use the word “concerned,” but I think we’re paying very close attention to it,” said Thomas Winstantly about the cannabis store. 

“I hate to say that we’re almost, at this point, conditioned to navigate these things in a more routine way, where we keep a very open dialogue (and) we stay very, very close to any emerging details on it.”

Future

It’s unclear where the omicron variant of Covid-19 will lead people. Research shows positives and negatives of covid for people and for industries, especially the infant hemp industry. But with store owners preparing and keeping safety in mind, moving forward can be an opportunity more than a hindrance. 

Make sure to check back for more cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic related news.