Pot, Liquor ‘Essential’ to Keep Up Spirits, Revenue During Virus

Sales of recreational cannabis and liquor could become bright spots for states as the coronavirus pandemic and governors’ stay-at-home orders hammer state revenues.

State officials from Washington to Delaware have deemed alcohol and recreational marijuana as essential services that are allowed to continue while many other businesses have to close. By putting those sales in the same category as groceries, the politicians avoided a constituent revolt and the governments got to keep collecting the taxes.

Total national alcohol sales were up 55% the week ending March 21; spirits were up 75%; and beer and cider, up 42%, said Greg Doonan, ...