The year 2020 was destined to be a banner year for marijuana producers and dispensaries. That is, until COVID-19 reared its ugly head. 

If you’re wondering how COVID-19 is affecting marijuana legislation, you’re not the only one. The reality is that the coronavirus pandemic has, unfortunately, hampered some marijuana legalization efforts in the short term, but it shouldn’t have any long-lasting effects. 

A ban on employers requiring candidates to undergo marijuana testing as part of the hiring process took effect this week in New York City.  

As our state and country face an unprecedented crisis, Governor Cuomo and New York State legislators rightfully decided to streamline the budget, leaving the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis to be fought for another day.

Despite the varying policies and confusing rules, cannabis businesses continue to generate significant tax revenue in various states during the pandemic.

The coronavirus outbreak has prevented most businesses from remaining open for the foreseeable future, slamming local economies and devastating state tax revenue.

This grim scenario should be enough to convince states that were previously anti-cannabis to change their tune, according to David Hess, the co-founder of investment firm Tress Capital.

Marijuana legalization is “not likely” to be included in the final budget in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said on Tuesday, explaining that the issue proved too complicated as the state grapples with the coronavirus.

Another sign that the policy change isn't happening as Cuomo and advocates had planned comes from a pair of newly revised budget bills that exclude the proposal, making it all but certain that legalization won't make the final cut.

“Too much, too little time,” the governor said of the proposal during a press conference.

The city has gone to pot. Marijuana, that is.

Since the coronavirus hit, sales of marijuana have gone through the roof in both the United States and Canada. Between March 16 and 22, sales of recreational cannabis rose by 50 percent across states including California, Colorado and Oregon, while medical marijuana sales jumped 41 percent from the same period a year ago.

Despite recreational pot still being illegal here, New Yorkers are helping fuel the trend.

Without the ability to gather in person, marijuana reform efforts have stalled in multiple states across the country.

New York lawmakers will prioritize response to the novel coronavirus pandemic and likely delay marijuana legalization.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo intended to legalize adult-use marijuana through the state budget this session, but the novel coronavirus outbreak may force the issue on the back burner. The state budget is due in two weeks and key lawmakers now believe issues around legalization, including how the state will spend tax revenue created by marijuana sales, will not be negotiated in time.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo believes New York will still legalize recreational marijuana this year, though others aren’t so sure.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the coronavirus outbreak has not stopped his intention to legalize recreational marijuana in New York. Because the government doesn’t know how the coronavirus will affect their ability to convene and pass legislation, Cuomo talked of an “accelerated” budget process in the coming days to push through bills.

“I want to see as much as we can get done,” Cuomo said during a press conference this week. ”I want to see as much as we can get done. Only caveat, I want to do things right.”

The story of cannabis legalization is, in part, a real estate story, as cannabis business owners buy and rent storefront property, scope out cultivation spaces, and engage with zoning boards. Today, eleven states and Washington, D.C. have legalized adult use cannabis, and a number of efforts to legalize by ballot or by legislature are underway, from New Jersey and New York to Oklahoma.