The main goal of a medical cannabis cultivator or processor is to ensure safe and quality medicine for patients, especially when dealing with COVID-19. Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, cultivators and processors must implement new practices to maximize safety to products and employees. There are multiple best-practices for keeping products and people safe during a time of a pandemic. Outlined below are some precautionary methods medical cannabis cultivators and processors are taking:

1. Improve Cleanliness: Implement frequent sanitizing and disinfectant practices throughout the facility and issue a policy requiring all employees to wear protective gear such as a face mask, gloves, apron, hairnet, etc.
2. Educate Your Staff: Reinforce Sanitation Protocols regarding health, hygiene, and sanitation throughout all facilities. Employees are encouraged to follow Company Protocols and CDC guidelines of best health practices to stay properly sanitized.
3. Stay Home: Advise employees that feel ill or have had a fever within the past 24 hours to stay home until better. Any employees that feel ill or have a fever, are required to be tested for COVID-19 and may not return to work until test results are given. Additionally, postpone or curtail all non-essential business travel during the time being. Any employees that have recently traveled should report this to their supervisor.

During state-wide shutdowns of non-essential businesses, medical cannabis facilities have been labeled an essential service, allowing medical cannabis facilities to continue to operate. During a time of hysteria and panic, like we are facing, patients in need must be allowed their medicine. Cannabis cultivators and processors are the backbones to providing safe and clean medicine for patients and should follow these guidelines.