COVID-19 Resources

By now it is clear that things will not be “business as usual” for quite some time and that we are truly facing a time of crisis.  Governments, businesses, and communities are facing up to the reality of COVID-19, and here at The Law Office of Kimberly R. Simms, we are doing our best to adapt to the pandemic and support our clients in doing the same. We are committed to staying informed and relaying relevant information to both our clients and colleagues in real time.  We are in constant communication with the California Cannabis Industry Association, state regulators, and local officials to continue to understand how local, state, and federal efforts will impact and affect the cannabis industry.   

Below please find a list of helpful resources that we have compiled.  We will do our best to regularly update this page, so please check back frequently.  Remember, we are here to help and we are all in this together.  #cannabisessential


General Resources

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides for a Paycheck Protection Program that offers forgivable loans to companies with 500 or fewer employees. Marijuana businesses, as well as ancillary firms that contribute to them with products or service, are specifically excluded from those benefits.

Quick guide to federal aid available to hemp businesses impacted by coronavirus:

CDC:

OSHA: 

California

State Information 

Governor Gavin Newsom and California’s three cannabis licensing agencies have classified Cannabis Businesses as Essential Critical Infrastructure and will allow them to remain open, as long as they act in accordance with local laws and regulations.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order

State Public Health Officer released the “Essential Critical Infrastructure” Workers list which followed Governor Newsom’s executive order. 

Licensees that continue to operate must adopt social distancing and anti-congregating measures and follow the CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease

Instructions for Requesting Disaster Relief from the Bureau of Cannabis Control

The BCC released further guidance regarding COVID-19, as well as information for licensed dispensaries seeking to conduct curbside pickup. Business must requests for disaster relief using the Notification and Request Form, (BCC-LIC-027), and may be submitted to the Bureau at BCC@dca.ca.gov. 

Business Resources

Cannabis Companies Helping in the Crisis

CannaCraft, a cannabis manufacturer in Santa Rosa, California, converted a portion of its production space to formulate and package individual bottles of sanitizer.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cannacraft-converts-cannabis-facility-to-manufacture-hand-sanitizer-301029222.html

Care By Design in Santa Rosa produced 5000 1-ounce tubes of hand sanitizer that went to Bay Area hospitals and police departments and they are working on manufacturing an additional 20,000.  

SPARC produced hand sanitizer and donated ten gallons to San Francisco and Sonoma hospitals.

And check out how many other companies are stepping up to the plate here:

https://www.leafly.com/news/industry/covid19-marijuana-companies-help-leafly?fbclid=IwAR3WEm0KBHBLzGqd9hWRShnJ104qU4SRteUn_JWUylcj14BNaANA6kAjOzo

Webinars

The industry has come together to provide content that will benefit operators during these challenging times.  We will do our best to update this section with new content on a regular basis.