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. cannabis regulators extend temporary patient cards to 90 days amid surge in applications
The District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board has adopted a third emergency rule extending temporary medical cannabis patient registration cards from 30 days to 90 days after a sharp increase in patient applications slowed processing times at the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration. Regulators say the change is intended to prevent patients from losing legal access to cannabis while their applications are under review. The rule also removes the requirement that applicants submit a passport-style photograph, which officials said was redundant because patients must already provide a government-issued photo ID.
- The next ABC Board meeting is Mar. 18, 2026: watch, agenda.
- Last week’s disposition.
- Catch up on The Great American Dispensary Tour’s episode featuring D.C.
Virginia cannabis market eyes early 2027 launch
Virginia may soon move closer to a regulated cannabis marketplace. Lawmakers have approved legislation that could allow adult-use cannabis retail sales beginning in 2027, potentially creating a major new East Coast market while policymakers continue to weigh regulatory and public health considerations.
- Yemeni-owned vape shops in Richmond are pushing back against the city’s “Operation Vaporize” enforcement campaign, arguing that inspections and shutdowns have disproportionately harmed immigrant-owned businesses while highlighting confusion around Virginia’s evolving vape and hemp regulations.
- The next CCA meeting is April 8, 2026. up on the Feb. 17th CCA meeting here.
Maryland lawmakers consider allowing off-duty firefighters to use medical cannabis
Lawmakers in Maryland are considering a bill that would allow firefighters to use medical cannabis while off duty without facing discipline from their employers. Supporters say the measure would help first responders manage chronic pain, injuries, and stress, while opponents raise concerns about public safety and the lack of clear standards for determining impairment on the job.
ICYMI: D.C. proposes prorated cannabis licensing fees Plus all Maryland TerrAscend dispensaries unionize
East Coast Roundup
Delaware’s newly launched recreational cannabis market is selling far less than originally projected, with industry officials and regulators saying that fuller market participation by growers, manufacturers, and retailers is needed before sales expand.
Leading cannabis industry organizations in New York have urged Gov. Hochul to adopt a series of reforms aimed at stabilizing the state’s legal cannabis market and achieving a more equitable and sustainable marketplace.
Law enforcement in Maine says efforts to crack down on large illegal marijuana grows—often linked to transnational criminal groups—have slowed, with local sheriffs struggling to address hundreds of suspected operations.
Cannabis prices at Massachusetts dispensaries have fallen sharply, benefiting consumers but placing financial strain on businesses and challenging the economic outlook for equity operators and industry stakeholders.
Culture & More
Emerging research shows even occasional cannabis use among teenagers may be linked to an increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis, prompting public health concern as legalization expands.
Wirecutter evaluates the top cannabis grinders available, recommending durable, efficient models for different user needs and budgets based on hands‑on testing and performance criteria.
Around the Country
Texas has passed a ban on smokable THC products that will take effect March 31, making the state one of the most restrictive on legal cannabis forms.
Supporters of a ballot initiative to legalize recreational cannabis in Ohio have entered the final phase of gathering signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot.
A Minnesota man from White Earth has been unable to obtain a cannabis business license despite having his felony drug charge dismissed, highlighting ongoing barriers to entry in state markets for individuals with past convictions.
From the swamp
The 9th Circuit ruled the dormant Commerce Clause does not protect cannabis businesses from state‑federal conflicts, meaning interstate federal cannabis restrictions cannot be challenged under this constitutional doctrine.
The IRS stated that cannabis businesses cannot compel the court to perform hypothetical drug rescheduling review to exempt them from the federal 280E tax code, reinforcing that tax benefits are tied to federal policy, not judicial action.
The Trump administration’s proposed federal budget includes cuts to existing cannabis protections, potentially rolling back measures that have limited federal enforcement against state‑legal cannabis activities.
