While the overall medical cannabis market in D.C. continues its upward trajectory, reaching $5.78 million in May sales, a deeper dive into the numbers reveals a significant trend: the burgeoning growth of delivery services.
Despite a substantial increase in the number of brick-and-mortar dispensaries, with nine new stores opening in May bringing the total to 46, individual retail outlets are feeling the pressure. Average revenue per store dropped from $151,156 to $125,761, indicating that market growth is outpacing the expansion of individual business profitability, according to data in The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration’s monthly metric report.
In stark contrast, delivery sales experienced growth across the board, signaling a shifting consumer preference for convenience. This trend is further underscored by the continued rise of non-D.C. residents who self-certify as medical patients, a group that has been the fastest-growing consumer segment. While overall non-D.C. resident patient numbers saw a slight dip after a significant increase last month, key neighboring states like Maryland, Virginia, and Florida all showed an increase in patients utilizing the District’s medical cannabis program.
This surge in delivery demand suggests that while consumers have more options for in-person purchases, many are opting for the ease and discretion of home delivery. As the D.C. medical cannabis market continues to evolve and mature, the increasing prominence of delivery services is a key indicator for businesses looking to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and maximize their reach.
May in short
Retail Sales: May medical retail sales reached $5,785,041, an increase of over $300,000 from April.
Year-over-Year Growth: May 2025 sales were 111% higher than May 2024 sales.
Dispensary Count: Nine new retail stores opened in May, bringing the total to 46 operating dispensaries.
Average Store Revenue: Average revenue per store decreased from $151,156 in April to $125,761 in May.
Manufacturer vs. Cultivation Sales: Manufacturer sales dropped by nearly $500,000, while cultivation center sales rose by over $100,000.
Product Performance: Almost all products saw a growth in sales volume. But infused topicals, kief, and shake were exceptions, experiencing revenue declines. Kief sales fell by 89%, and shake sales fell by 45%.
Inspections: Inspections tripled in May, with one reported violation (type unspecified).
Patient Growth:
- Patients served increased by just over 1,000.
- Total registered patients grew by 7,559.
- D.C. registered patients specifically grew by 1,321.
- 1,895 patient registrations are set to expire in the next three months.
Average Sale Amount: The average sale amount per transaction continues to fall by a few dollars.
Non-D.C. Resident Patients:
- Total non-D.C. resident medical patients (from other states) decreased by 2,580 after growing by over 1,000 in April.
- Patient numbers from Maryland, Virginia, and Florida (top three states) all increased.
- Self-certified non-D.C. resident patients remain the fastest-growing consumer group, having more than doubled from March to April.
Delivery Sales: Delivery sales increased across the board.
- D.C. Patients: D.C. resident patients accounted for the vast majority of delivery sales, reaching $245,158 in the current period, up from $225,377 previously. This represents the largest segment and a healthy increase.
- Self-Certified Temporary Patients (Non-D.C. Residents): This group showed significant growth in delivery sales, rising from $13,398 to $18,645. This category continues to be the fastest-growing consumer segment overall.
- Non-D.C. Resident Patients (Reciprocity): Delivery sales for non-D.C. resident patients (those with medical cards from other states) also saw a modest increase, from $5,788 to $6,119.
