Ybor City, Fla. – Local entrepreneurs at Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary are turning to a popular food‑delivery platform to reach customers and move remaining hemp‑derived THC inventory before a federal ban on intoxicating hemp products becomes law on Dec. 11.
DoorDash contract aims to simplify access
Owner Carlos Hermida told FOX 13 that the dispensary signed a two‑year agreement with DoorDash earlier this year. Under the deal, DoorDash drivers will deliver select hemp‑derived THC items, including edibles, directly to a customer’s door. Hermida explained the process is straightforward: “We get an order on our tablet, accept it, bag the product and the driver brings it to the customer’s door.” DoorDash is tasked with verifying the buyer’s age to ensure each sale complies with state law.
Why delivery matters to the community
Hermida, who opened the shop as a CBD retailer before expanding into intoxicating cannabinoids around 2020‑2021, said delivery helps people who suffer from anxiety and who find Ybor City’s streets crowded or intimidating. By offering a door‑to‑door option, the dispensary hopes to serve residents who might otherwise avoid in‑person visits.
Federal ban creates urgency
Congress recently moved the deadline for intoxicating hemp products from early November to Dec. 11, giving businesses a short window to sell or otherwise dispose of stock. Hermida noted the impending ban has already forced the shop to switch its point‑of‑sale system to cash‑only transactions until a new register arrives.
He warned that if any intoxicating hemp items remain on shelves after Dec. 12, selling them would be illegal and the business would have to destroy the remaining inventory. “If I have to take the products off of my shelf it’s going to impact us greatly,” Hermida said, adding that the shop may hold a clearance sale before the deadline.
Uncertainty remains
It is not yet clear whether Chillum Dispensary will formally announce a clearance sale or how much inventory still needs to be moved. The future of the two‑year DoorDash contract after the ban also remains uncertain, as the delivery service currently handles intoxicating hemp products that will become prohibited.
Despite the challenges, Hermida remains optimistic that the DoorDash partnership will help the business serve the community while complying with new federal rules.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
