New England Treatment Access, a Massachusetts cannabis company, on Friday said it will reduce its workforce by an undisclosed number of employees as it has seen its store traffic drop by 85% during the coronavirus crisis.
NETA President Amanda Rositano blamed Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s decision to not allow adult-use cannabis stores to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic as “essential” businesses, MassLive.com reported.
In order to “adjust to this new normal,” she added, the company needed to reduce its workforce “as well as place a number of our employees on furloughs until the governor lifts his order against adult-use sales.”
In Massachusetts, adult-use MJ sales are on hold until at least May 4.
Earlier this week, a group of recreational marijuana businesses sued Baker in an effort to force a reversal of his decision to declare adult-use MJ stores as nonessential businesses. Baker has said he fears out-of-state shoppers would spread the disease.
Earlier this month, two NETA employees – one at a cultivation facility it owns and another at a marijuana store – tested positive for COVID-19.
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