The cannabis landscape in Washington D.C. has witnessed a remarkable surge, particularly within the medical sector, which reached an astonishing $9 million in sales in April—a notable 50% increase from March.
This growth has been fueled by a substantial uptick in registered patients, which rose by 66%.
The closure of unlicensed cannabis shops, along with the introduction of 13 new legal dispensaries, has also contributed to this upward trend, pushing the total number of dispensaries in the District to 36.
Despite this overall expansion, individual dispensaries may experience revenue challenges, as the average earnings per establishment registered a slight decline amid the market’s improvement.
In addition to retail sales, there has been a remarkable increase in the manufacturing sector, with sales doubling and introducing new cannabis concentrates and edibles.
In fact, the collective sales of vapes, edibles, and concentrates in April 2025 saw an increase of nearly $4 million compared to the same month in 2024.
As the momentum continues, experts anticipate further growth with more dispensaries slated to open in May.
In regulatory news, the next ABC Board meeting, scheduled for May 27 at 10:30 A.M., will focus on a summary action hearing for Crown Tobacco, emphasizing the ongoing adjustments in the cannabis market.
The proposed rulemaking allows D.C. medical cannabis businesses to remediate products that fail testing due to addressable issues.
This alignment with practices in other states aims to reduce waste and provide opportunities to repurpose products that would otherwise be destroyed.
Meanwhile, in Maryland, the Office of Social Equity (OSE) is gearing up to host a “From Seed to Success” Cannabis Business Vendor Fair on June 6, 2025.
This event seeks to foster connections between Maryland’s 191 Social Equity Cannabis Licensees and crucial local vendors and service providers, covering sectors such as construction, legal, accounting, and security.
Businesses interested in participating can express their interest by submitting the OSE 2025 Vendor Fair Interest Form by May 30th.
However, the cannabis industry in Maryland is not without its challenges, as regulators have initiated raids on several businesses in Baltimore suspected of engaging in illegal cannabis operations.
The Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Commission (ATCC), in collaboration with Baltimore police, conducted raids on four establishments in Southeast Baltimore, including various smoke shops.
While authorities seized suspected illegal cannabis from these locations, there were no immediate shutdowns, although some businesses appeared to be mislabeling themselves as dispensaries without the necessary state licensing.
In West Virginia, the New Leaf medical cannabis dispensary chain has expanded its reach by opening its sixth location at The Highlands in Triadelphia.
This facility is designed with two drive-thru windows to enhance accessibility and convenience for patients with medical cannabis prescriptions in the northern part of the state, potentially attracting clientele from nearby areas including Delaware.
In further regional developments, New York officials have launched an interactive “Buy Legal” map designed to assist consumers in locating licensed marijuana retailers, promoting a shift towards the regulated market.
Simultaneously, a DEA investigation has resulted in the seizure of over 29,000 cannabis plants and the arrest of two individuals tied to an unlicensed cultivation facility in New York.
As a proactive measure to normalize cannabis and bolster the state’s growing legal market, New York has also expanded its marijuana farmers market program, enabling licensed businesses to sell their products directly to consumers at pop-up events.
On the cultural front, despite ongoing stagnation regarding federal legalization in the U.S., American cannabis companies are shifting their focus towards Europe, where they perceive significant opportunities for growth and investment.
In another striking development, Thailand is considering tightening its cannabis regulations, potentially requiring prescriptions for purchases to combat a spike in smuggling cases, primarily involving tourists from the UK and India since the country’s decriminalization in 2022.
Cryptocurrencies are emerging as possible solutions to the banking hurdles that the cannabis industry faces; however, their adoption could be slowed down by market volatility, tax implications, and the financial burden of necessary infrastructure.
Additionally, tribally-owned cannabis stores have seen impressive growth, increasing by 24% since May 2024 to total 77 outlets across nine states, operated by 59 different tribes.
Surprisingly, more than one in ten older U.S. veterans report using cannabis, primarily for pain relief, with many indicating it significantly enhances their quality of life and reduces their reliance on prescription medications.
Across the nation, Minnesota has recently finalized a cannabis compact with the White Earth Nation, marking a historical agreement that permits the tribe to regulate and manage cannabis businesses outside tribal lands—a first of its kind.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has raised concerns regarding the reliability of cannabis testing in the state, particularly highlighting repeated violations and findings at the national testing lab, Kaycha Labs.
In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee has enacted legislation that will ban the sale of THCA and synthetic cannabinoids effective January 2026.
This legislation also transfers regulatory authority over hemp products from the Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission and prohibits online sales as well as sales at convenience and grocery stores.
In California, authorities have seized over 105,000 illegal cannabis plants and 22,000 pounds of processed cannabis valued at approximately $123.5 million through a coordinated multi-agency operation in the Central Valley.
In political news, attorney Matthew Zorn, who has a history of suing federal agencies over cannabis and psychedelics reform, has joined the Trump administration as Deputy General Counsel under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In this newly acquired position, Zorn will focus on shaping psychedelics policy.
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