Author: High Level Data

D.C.’s cannabis market is booming — maybe too fast. With more dispensaries per capita than Maryland or Pennsylvania, sales per store are slipping and prices stay high. More shops don’t always mean a stronger market.

Washington, D.C.’s medical cannabis market is expanding rapidly, with dispensary growth far outpacing patient demand. Sales per store are falling even as most retailers cluster in central wards, raising questions about market sustainability.

Washington, D.C.’s cannabis market is rapidly gaining ground despite federal restrictions, outpacing regional growth with rising sales, shifting consumer trends, and increasing independence from neighboring Maryland.

The cannabis market in Washington, D.C. is undergoing a significant transformation, with a notable surge in out-of-state patients, particularly driven by the District’s unique self-certification model. While D.C. residents still comprise the majority of patients making purchases in May 2025, out-of-state shoppers are rapidly closing the gap.

D.C. medical cannabis sales surged to $5.46 million in April 2025, generating a 90% increase in tax revenue compared to the previous year, yet cannabis remains one of the city’s lowest-taxed goods at 6%.

In March 2025, vape carts accounted for 16% of total cannabis sales in the District, marking a substantial 60% increase compared to the 2024 average.