On July 17, 2025, Washington D.C. authorities executed a closure order on the Temple of the Golden Teacher, an unlicensed psychedelic and cannabis business situated at 511 Florida Avenue NW. This marks the third shutdown of its kind as city officials intensify their crackdown on illegal activities associated with psychedelic and cannabis sales.
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), cited illegal operations and public safety concerns as justifications for the closure.
During the raid, law enforcement seized over a pound of psychedelic mushrooms, more than 11 pounds of mushroom-infused edibles, and less than an ounce of cannabis. Additionally, one individual was arrested on charges related to the distribution of a controlled substance.
In related news, a House Appropriations subcommittee has advanced a bill that retains a long-standing federal funding rider which prohibits Washington, D.C. from utilizing its own tax revenues to facilitate recreational marijuana sales. This decision has significant implications for local efforts to regulate and legitimize cannabis within the district.
Shifting focus to nearby Maryland, the St. Mary’s County Board has approved a new cannabis dispensary called Southern Waves in California, Maryland. This approval is a reflection of the expanding adult-use cannabis market in the state.
Furthermore, the Maryland state officials have reopened their search for a site to host a cannabis business incubator, attracting multiple counties eager to participate in this burgeoning industry.
In Virginia, Delegate Lashrecse Aird has been appointed vice chair of the Marijuana Legalization Commission. This leadership position suggests a renewed commitment to advance adult-use legalization and regulatory planning in the state.
In a related context, another unlicensed psychedelic shop, Bouquet Labs, was also shut down recently alongside fines imposed, further illustrating the strict measures D.C. is taking against unregulated cannabis and psychedelic businesses.
Looking across the East Coast, concerns have arisen in Delaware regarding the cannabis retail launch, with critics arguing that the initiative disproportionately favors existing medical operators and marginalizes smaller businesses and social equity applicants. In Pennsylvania, lawmakers remain divided over adult-use cannabis legalization as part of the state budget, particularly with Senate Republicans expressing opposition.
Additionally, Rhode Island regulators have paused the issuance of new hemp retailer licenses amid rising anxieties around unregulated THC products flooding the market. Such regulatory pauses aim to ensure consumer safety and maintain market integrity.
On the scientific front, researchers in Brazil have made a groundbreaking discovery, unveiling a non-cannabis plant, Trema micrantha, that produces CBD without THC. This finding holds potential for creating legally acceptable alternatives in the CBD market.
In California, amidst increasing scrutiny around immigration enforcement within the cannabis industry, a professor was arrested during an ICE raid on a cannabis farm, raising alarm over the blending of drug enforcement with immigration tactics.
A recent University of Colorado study has highlighted discrepancies in cannabis product labeling, casting doubts on consumer safety and transparency as inaccurate information proliferates across the market.
Innovative solutions for cannabis cultivation are being encouraged as beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps are identified as effective, pesticide-free protectors against pests.
The overall landscape of cannabis regulation is rapidly evolving, with federal raids on unlicensed cannabis farms in California resulting in political fallout. These raids, spurred by immigration violations, have faced backlash following the death of a migrant worker during an operation.
As cannabis laws continue to unfold, the California State Fair is taking an interesting approach, offering cannabis seeds at a symbolic cost of just one penny, as part of an educational initiative to promote legal cultivation.
In North Texas, advocates are preparing for a renewed debate after Governor Abbott vetoed a proposed THC ban during a recent legislative session. This development has again placed cannabis regulations at the forefront of political discussions.
In Washington D.C., the ongoing political tensions surrounding cannabis are displayed vividly as a U.S. House subcommittee advanced a bill to block the DOJ from rescheduling cannabis, potentially impacting future federal reform efforts. As these issues unfold, stakeholders in the cannabis industry will need to navigate a complex regulatory landscape.
image source from：outlawreport
