Booming Cannabis Conference Business Isn’t Immune to Coronavirus Fears

Cannabis has been touted as a therapy for just about everything from anxiety to cancer, but even the well-affirmed feel-good effects of the now broadly legalized drug aren’t immune to the caustic impact of an unfolding international pandemic.

Joining the growing ranks of political rallies and sporting events temporarily shutting down – and large insurance conferences being canceled or postponed – the usually booming business of cannabis conferences is seeing one major event cancellation after another over fears of the spread by COVID-19, or the Coronavirus.

The National Cannabis Risk Management Association announced this week it was postponing NCRMA2020, its upcoming conference in Las Vegas at the Bally’s hotel and resort on March 22-24.

“Our responsibilities as a risk manager transcend our passion and desire to bring our membership together,” Rocco Petrilli, chairman of the NCRMA, said in a statement announcing the cancelation. “Though we are disappointed to have to postpone our event, as our leadership continued to monitor the developments, it became abundantly clear that this was the correct course of action. Our hearts go out to families and communities that have been affected by the COVID-19. We hope our decision will help reduce the spread of this virus.”