For residents in states that have legalized marijuana, the grass is indeed greener on their side.

That’s the takeaway from new polling data released earlier this month. The survey, from pollster YouGov, found that in “many states where recreational cannabis is legal, a plurality of citizens believes these laws have been more of a success than a failure overall.” 

As Illinois went through its first full month of coronavirus-related lockdown, an interesting thing happened with marijuana sales. Rather than drop, recreational marijuana sales reached $37.7 million, the highest total sales since Illinois legalized adult-use cannabis in January of 2020.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s can take credit for the soaring sales - or, at least, for not impeding them. Rather than close dispensaries, Pritzker made them an essential business, allowing them to stay open even as he put the state under stay-at-home orders that now extend through May.

The enactment of adult-use cannabis legalization laws in Colorado and Washington is associated with increased tourism in both states, according to data published in the Journal of Regional Analysis & Policy.

A team of researchers affiliated with Berry College in Georgia compared rates of hotel occupancy in Colorado and Washington post-legalization as compared to trends in other non-legal states.

High prices, enthusiastic support from local government and business groups, and looser regulations in the wake of the 2018 Farm Bill passage led to the planting of tens of thousands of new acres of hemp over the last few years.

In 2019, it became clear that the result of the additional product resulted in a production oversupply still being felt by the industry today, according to the 2020 Hemp Crop Survey from The Jacobsen Publishing Co., a Boulder-based commodity-pricing reporting agency.

The new coronavirus appeared and began causing devastation around the world with such haste that most individuals have not had time to catch their breath — if you can pardon the metaphor.

Businesses, too, are struggling to survive in a climate of fear and discomfort, and many are suffering significant setbacks that might result in widespread, long-term economic fallout if not properly addressed by the government.

However, not all industries are flailing. In many parts of the country, cannabis dispensaries are noticing a remarkable shift in public attitude as well as a much-needed boost to sales. In Colorado, especially, coronavirus has brought sweeping changes to the policy, which could ultimately save the industry in the state.

Most adults living in states where marijuana use is legal view the policy change as successful, according to state-specific polling data compiled by YouGov.com.

Respondents in California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, and Washington were asked their opinion regarding whether their state’s adult-use legalization policy “has been a success or a failure.”

Ever since COVID-19 started impacting Colorado and shut-down orders were put in place across the state, the state relaxed some rules and allowed for curbside cannabis and online ordering. The new, convenient purchase methods may remain in place even once COVID-19 measures are relaxed and folks can resume their normal shopping habits.  

According to Westword, many are enjoying being able to order their cannabis at home and then go pick it up. In addition to being a safer option right now, it saves the customer time. 

Denver’s local government just announced a Marijuana Licensing Work Group (MLWG) that will help make recommendations in the newly relevant areas of cannabis licensing. 

According to a press release, the group is made up of representatives from the business community, social justice activists, public health and safety officials, and youth specialists. Their goal will be to make recommendations on new cannabis licensing laws and rules in the best interest of all those involved with, and impacted by, the industry.

While many companies are getting benefits from the government to help battle COVID-19 and its impact on the economy, cannabis is one industry that's been overlooked. Marijuana companies are ineligible for support under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act because they're involved in federally illegal activities. Even companies that do business with these federally illegal entities (e.g., the cannabis industry) are ineligible for government aid.

As a result, the cannabis industry has been overlooked thus far in financial assistance. However, that could change as Democrats try to get help for cannabis companies. And if they succeed, it would help make pot stocks safer buys.

The company that makes Charlotte’s Web CBD products is donating $1 million worth of product to families affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the company said Monday.