Author: LJ Dawson

D.C. is seeking dismissal of a cannabis licensing challenge by citing a Ninth Circuit decision upholding state residency requirements and limiting dormant Commerce Clause claims due to federal illegality of marijuana, while Virginia advances psilocybin and impaired-driving policy changes amid regulatory uncertainty, and Baltimore’s $35M cannabis reparations fund remains tied up in governance disputes without…

This week’s cannabis policy roundup covers major developments across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, including D.C.’s closure of three unlicensed cannabis businesses and Mayor Bowser’s proposal to allow cannabis-infused beverages through brewery partnerships. The edition also highlights rising medical cannabis prices and regulatory hiring in Virginia, new worker protections in Maryland, and key national updates ranging…

D.C. cannabis board finalizes $3,000 settlement and permanent closure of Flowerz The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board has finalized a settlement with Flowerz, LLC, closing its Massachusetts Ave NE location through an Offer-in-Compromise. The agreement includes a $3,000 fine, confirmation of permanent vacating of the premises, and strict restrictions on future cannabis-related use of…

D.C. court combines briefing for 8 ALCE cannabis lawsuits D.C. courts have consolidated briefing for eight ALCE lawsuits targeting unlicensed cannabis retailers and the landlords who lease to them. The move allows a single motion to dismiss to address common legal issues, streamlining the early stages of litigation without merging the cases for trial. D.C.…

Blossomz, a licensed medical cannabis cultivator in D.C., was closed by ABCA and MPD, marking the first enforcement against an operational grower since the city’s market expansion began in 2023. Meanwhile, Virginia lawmakers are advancing legislation to establish a statewide legal cannabis retail market, potentially enabling adult-use sales later this year, though critics warn ABC…

Blossomz, a licensed medical cannabis cultivator in D.C., was closed by ABCA and MPD, marking the first enforcement against an operational grower since the city’s market expansion began in 2023. Meanwhile, Virginia lawmakers are advancing legislation to establish a statewide legal cannabis retail market, potentially enabling adult-use sales later this year, though critics warn ABC…

Regulators across the Mid-Atlantic are ramping up oversight and advancing major cannabis policy decisions. In Washington, D.C., the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board suspended Doobie District for 30 days after finding unlawful sales to non-qualified patients and falsified METRC entries, reinforcing regulators’ focus on patient verification and seed-to-sale accuracy.

Recent state-level cannabis updates bring significant regulatory and market developments. In Washington, D.C., the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board finalized new medical cannabis advertising and signage rules, limiting exterior signs, restricting window coverage, and prohibiting misleading claims. Virginia launched a public Medical Cannabis Program Dashboard, offering real-time sales and inventory data, while lawmakers advanced an…

Cannabis operators are navigating major changes this year, from evolving federal tax rules under Section 280E to state-level policy shifts. In Virginia, lawmakers are advancing restorative penalties for youth cannabis use while cracking down on unlicensed activity, as businesses like The Cannabist Co. and Jushi Holdings prepare for the adult-use market. Meanwhile, Maryland lawmakers are…

Maryland lawmakers are moving to extend the state’s psychedelics task force through 2027, giving regulators more time to study decriminalization, medical access, and potential regulatory frameworks for substances like psilocybin. Meanwhile, Virginia lawmakers rejected a bill that would have barred police from stopping drivers based solely on cannabis odor, preserving law enforcement discretion even as…

District regulators padlocked another illegal cannabis shop in Northwest D.C., seizing unregulated products and making an arrest, marking the 101st unlicensed cannabis business closure since July 2024. In Maryland, the Cannabis Administration issued updated 2026 guidance clarifying how businesses must register cannabis agents and complete required criminal history checks through the OneStop system, while the…