Maryland Cannabis Workers Eligible for Coronavirus Vaccine

Maryland medical cannabis industry workers are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine under a directive issued by the Medical Cannabis Commission (MCC) on Monday. According to the document, industry employees fall under the 1A priority group which includes “licensed, registered and certified health care providers.”

Only industry workers who hold active registrations with the MCC are eligible, but the order covers cultivation, dispensary, processing, and testing laboratory employees.

The medical cannabis industry is considered an essential service in Maryland and businesses remained open during government-mandated closures related to the pandemic.

The activist group D.C. Marijuana Justice (DCMJ) said on Tuesday that they planned to give away cannabis at vaccination centers throughout the city as they come online, according to a DCist report.

Organization Co-founder Adam Eidinger said he hopes the plan brings more people into the Capitol City’s vaccination centers.

“If you believe in the science that supports medical cannabis, you should believe the science that supports the efficacy of the vaccine.” – Eidinger to DCist

In 2017, DCMJ handed out more than 10,000 joints at an event, but Eidinger noted that those were hand-rolled and licked which, he said, is an issue during this pandemic. Instead of pre-rolled joints, the group will be handing out individual bags while wearing masks and gloves, from a safe distance outdoors.

The group also plans to give away seeds named “Grasso’s Green” after former D.C. Councilman David Grosso who left his post at the end of last year.