Florida cannabis businesses began shutting down this week in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, which was expected to make landfall late Wednesday on the state’s west coast.
Milton’s wrath didn’t sway Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to extend the Oct. 7 deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election.
In addition to casting votes for president, Florida voters will decide whether to legalize adult-use marijuana in the state.
“People can register today,” DeSantis told the Florida Phoenix on Monday.
“There’s nothing inhibiting you from registering today. The storm has not hit yet.”
Voters’ rights groups had asked DeSantis to extend the deadline as Florida residents continued to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene ahead of Milton making landfall.
Meanwhile, cannabis operators were busy preparing their businesses for the storm.
Dispensaries announce closures
Chicago-based marijuana multistate operator Cresco Labs closed some of its Sunnyside medical cannabis dispensaries at 5 p.m. ET Monday in anticipation of Hurricane Milton.
Closures continued through Tuesday, bringing to nine the total of Sunnyside dispensaries closed in Florida.
Cresco kept some of its Sunnyside locations in Florida open as the company tried to balance the needs of medical marijuana patients and the safety of both patients and employees, Jason Erkes, the MSO’s chief communications officer, told MJBizDaily.
“We are currently installing tarps, sandbags, storm shutters and boarding up windows in an effort to protect our physical property from wind and water while protecting the safety of our patients and staff,” Erkes said via email.
“We are simultaneously working with our store teams to make sure they have the time and resources needed for them to personally prepare their homes” for the coming storm.
Cresco closes grow; Trulieve stops deliveries
Erkes said Cresco closed its cultivation facility in Indiantown to give employees time to prepare their homes for the incoming storm.
“We will be constantly assessing the weather conditions and evaluating any potential damage to the facility with hopes of restarting full operations on Friday,” Erkes said on Tuesday.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Trulieve Cannabis Corp. had closed 80 stores and planned to close another 26 early, according to the company’s website.
The Tallahassee-headquartered MSO also paused deliveries from 19 of its Florida stores at least through Thursday.
Trulieve suggested its patients who rely on medical marijuana stock up with one week’s worth of products in anticipation of prolonged closures.
“As we navigate through hurricane season, the safety and well-being of our customers and employees remain our top priority,” the company said on its website.
“At Trulieve, we are committed to keeping you informed about the status of our dispensaries during hurricanes and severe weather conditions.”
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Ayr and Verano closures
Ayr Wellness closed 56 of its 66 stores in Florida in preparation for Hurricane Milton and shut down its cultivation facility on Wednesday.
The Miami-based MSO has environmental sensors in place to monitor plant health throughout the grow.
“We plan to be closed through this evening and tomorrow and will reevaluate everything on Friday,” George DeNardo, the company’s chief operating officer, told MJBizDaily on Wednesday.
“We have generators full of fuel on standby and a skeleton staff to make sure we’re keeping an update on the weather and any issues that might arise.”
Chicago-based Verano Holdings Corp. closed two-dozen of its Müv stores in Florida on Tuesday.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 37 Müv stores were closed, and the company planned for 55 of its Florida dispensaries to remain closed Thursday.
The MSO also halted delivery operations because of the potential impact of Hurricane Milton.
“We continue to monitor the hurricane and have initiated proactive advanced measures to prioritize the health and safety of our employees and patients, including adhering to guidance provided by emergency management officials,” Verano Vice President of Communications Steve Mazeika told MJBizDaily on Tuesday.
“As we continue following the storm’s path and take proactive safety measures, we are providing real-time updates on the status of Müv dispensary operations via the Müv website.”
Margaret Jackson can be reached at margaret.jackson@mjbizdaily.com.
