Closed MA Cannabis Dealers Will Make Hand Sanitizer

SALEM, MA — INSA, which operates recreational cannabis stores in Salem and Easthampton, and at least 13 other Massachusetts marijuana retailers will shift operations to make hand sanitizer during a two-week, state government shutdown of nonessential businesses.

The Commonwealth Dispensary Association partnered with the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association to lead the effort. The Baker administration has approved the proposed plan, which has the dispensaries taking on the production costs and donating the sanitizer to the mass effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

"I am incredibly proud of members who are allocating time and resources to produce hand sanitizer... to help clinicians in the fight against COVID-19," CDA President David Torrisi said in a news release.

The coalition expects to produce 5,000 gallons of hand sanitizer per week. The finished products will be delivered to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Association for distribution to hospitals.

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"Given the extreme stress that our health system is facing, seeing the business community step up to produce critical supplies to ease that burden reinforces the notion that we are all in this together," said Steve Walsh, president & CEO of Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association.

In addition to INSA, the following dispensaries are taking part in the effort: Revolutionary Clinics, INSA, Central Ave. Compassionate Care, Inc., SIRA Naturals, New England Treatment Access, Theory Wellness, Garden Remedies, Triple M, Alternative Therapies Group, Inc., Berkshire Roots, Cultivate, NorthEast Alternatives, Patriot Care, and Mass Wellspring.

The dispensaries that also provide cannabis products to medical patients will make hand sanitizer alongside medical marijuana.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).