LOS ANGELES –  In the midst of a global pandemic causing many businesses to close their doors, cannabis shops and delivery services are thriving.

Herb, a leading cannabis delivery business serving Los Angeles and the surrounding area, experienced a roughly 75 percent increase in sales this spring compared to the same time last year, according to CEO Bobby Vecchio, and as much as a 300 percent increase in the wake of big announcements concerning the pandemic.

“I would imagine that recreational use has increased as people have more free time, and medical use has increased as people are dealing with more stress and anxiety than usual,” Vecchio said.

Herb’s sales surge reflects a national trend. This March, retail sales of recreational marijuana in California jumped 160 percent above what they were at the same time last year, according to surveys acquired by Statistica, and similar statistics are coming out of Washington and Colorado.

While most states have begun to reopen in the past few weeks, California remains highly impacted by the virus. Vecchio believes this long quarantine may cause an increase in demand for cannabis delivery, which, as of now, is only fully legal in California.

“I believe COVID has forced people to rethink the way they get their cannabis,” he said. “Nobody wants to go out and stand in a queue with strangers right now. They’d much prefer to receive delivery from a reliable and professional company to the safety of their home.”

Elissa Esher is Assistant Editor at GreenState. Her work has also appeared in The Boston Guardian, Brooklyn Paper, Religion Unplugged, and Iridescent Women. Send inquiries and tips to elli.esher@hearst.com.