Omicron variant affecting cannabis industry supply chain
The omicron variant of COVID-19 has been stressing supply chains around the world, and it appears the cannabis industry hasn’t been spared from supply chain issues. Cannabis companies are sometimes having difficulty obtaining the packaging and construction products they need to operate their businesses. Many of these products come from abroad, and it’s often taking longer than expected to get the products.
These supply chain issues are often causing cannabis businesses to have to pay more for things like construction than they otherwise would have. The variant is also making it difficult for cannabis businesses to keep their companies staffed because employees often have to take off work to recover from contracting the virus.
It’s not currently clear how long cannabis businesses will be dealing with these issues, but many companies are doing their best to find ways to prevent supply chain issues from disrupting service or affecting prices.
Morgan Fox, political director at NORML, told Cannabis News Box that it does appear these supply chain issues are affecting the cannabis industry to some degree.
“While direct reports are limited, this new COVID strain appears to be causing many of the same supply chain issues that occurred in the beginning of the pandemic, particularly as it relates to staffing or facility closures,” Fox said. “Though symptoms appear to be milder, infection
appears more pervasive than previous variants, and could potentially have an even bigger impact.”
Fox said there isn’t a whole lot cannabis businesses can do to deal with these products from abroad being delayed. Some of these products simply
aren’t produced in high volumes within the country. Fox said companies can do their best to make sure employees are working in safe environments so staffing issues don’t become such a big problem.
“The regulated cannabis market continues to thrive and expand no thanks to federal prohibition, and several more state markets are expected to open in the coming months,” Fox said. “The focus on employee and customer health and safety has been a vital part of this performance, aided by an increased consumer preference for obtaining tested, quality-controlled products in a safe environment.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every industry in the world, and the cannabis industry hasn’t been saved from those effects. Employers in the industry are simply hoping whatever problems they’re facing today will be less prevalent in the coming months if the omicron variant isn’t infecting as many people as it is now.