D.C.’s medical cannabis program sales slump again despite more patients
D.C.’s medical market expansion is going through difficulties as new manufacturers and cultivators struggle to open and the District’s enforcement against I-71 operators is slow to grow teeth.
June continues to cast a dark shadow on the D.C. medical market sales, according to a newly released program report. Overall program sales fell by more than 13% compared to June 2023. This is despite a more than 30% increase in registered patients and over 6% increase in patients served.
However, Q3 2024 sales eclipsed Q2 by over $1.7 million. Q3 was still lower than Q1 for 2024, and Q3 2024 showed a 14.7% decrease compared to the same period last year. This lack of sales comes despite four new dispensary locations opening. It also comes as dozens of new retail locations are set to open in the fall.
June 2023 was the last month of sales before Maryland’s adult-use market opened, and sales have fallen significantly since then despite the medical program expansion. Maryland’s non-medical market and D.C.’s I-71 market continue to bleed sales from the medical dispensaries in the city.
June 2024 Highlights
- Overall patients grew by 1,454 from May to June, 2024. (28,292)
- Patients served grew by 747 from May to June, 2024. (12,119)
- From July to September there are set to be 7,712 patient expirations.
- Dispensary sales rose by $107,239 in June from May 2024.
- Total medical program sales continue to fall after this year’s peak in April.
- Overall sales fell almost 4% in June from the month before.
- Ten total dispensaries were open in June with one closing during the month.
- No cannabis was destroyed in June and six inspections were conducted of facilities.
- Q3 2024 sales eclipsed Q2 by over $1.7 million.
- Flower bud sold rose slightly from May (389lbs)
- Vapes continue to explode in sales (8,111)
- Shake/trim, pre-rolls, infused pre-rolls and edibles all rose in sales from May 2024.
- Concentrate sales fell across the board. (409g)
- Pre-rolls, vapes and infused edibles continue to be the market drivers behind cannabis bud.
