CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Those looking for some cannabis relief, medical or otherwise, will still be able to rely on their neighborhood dispensary during these strange times.
As nonessential businesses prepare to close in Illinois under the governor's shelter in place order, cannabis dispensaries will remain open, largely serving customers online for pickup instead of waiting in long lines.
Dispensaries are considered essential businesses under Gov. Pritzker's executive order to shelter in place, which states that only healthcare operations and businesses such as groceries, pharmacies, doctor's offices, gas stations, human service organizations, banks, hardware stores and the media can stay open. Medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries fall under essential businesses and healthcare providers.
Dispensary 33, Sunnyside dispensaries and Mission South Shore Cannabis Dispensary are some of the Chicago dispensaries offering online orders for pickup. Mission South Shore is only letting eight people on the sales floor at a time and has spread out ordering kiosks to practice social distance. Sunnyside has limited windows of online shopping due to high demand and will close or open it depending on time of day and supply.
However, some have their own rules in place during the pandemic closures that have affected thousands of residents and left many jobless.
MOCA Modern Cannabis in Logan Square is only serving its medical patients through online order pickup to reduce wait time and the stress on its employees. That means no recreational purchases can be made, including in-person consultations.
On Friday afternoon, as residents prepared for the statewide shelter in place, a long line was seen outside MOCA for medical patients on its Fullerton Avenue entrance — each practicing social distance and standing about six feet apart.
