D.C.’s medical cannabis program continues to struggle along despite warnings of enforcement against competing illicit operators known as “gifting” stores.
A monthly metrics report from the D.C. government reported that program sales for this year in July were the lowest of the last four years.
Over 70 retail stores could open in the next four months, according to The Outlaw Report’s analysis. Registered patients have barely climbed since four new medical dispensaries opened this spring and summer. However, the opening of D.C.’s first testing lab could add more legitimacy to the program and attract more patients in the coming months.
The D.C. market continues to struggle as Maryland’s adult-use market reaches new heights. In July, Maryland’s medical market made $27 million in revenue compared to D.C.’s almost $4.5 million. Maryland’s adult use market raked in $70 million.
Cultivation center and manufacturing sales were slightly higher than June, raising overall July 2024 sales just about $100,000 above June sales. Dispensary sales for July 2024 were over $300,000 lower than July 2023. Overall market sales fell by over $150,000 from the year before.
July 2024 Highlights
- Out of state patient sales were almost half of D.C.’s dispensary sales. ($1,200,812)
- Overall D.C. medical patients grew by just under 200 in July while patients served fell by almost 100.
- There are still over 1,600 Maryland residents registered as medical cannabis patients in D.C.
- Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina continue to be the top self-certify states.
- Over 7,500 patient registrations are set to expire by the end of October.
- Dispensaries sold 382 lbs of cannabis flower in July, a slight drop from last month.
- The amount sold of all products except concentrate, infused pre-rolls and kief fell.
- 2,080 lbs of cannabis waste was destroyed in July and three scheduled inspections were conducted with no violations observed.
