Two unlicensed cannabis businesses in Northwest D.C. shut down by authorities
Late last week, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) Enforcement Division, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), executed Closure Orders on two unlicensed cannabis retailers in Northwest D.C. The businesses, District Tobacco Shop located at 2626 Georgia Avenue NW and Green Department at 2720 Georgia Avenue NW were searched. At District Tobacco Shop investigators recovered over 5 lbs of cannabis, 105 grams of THC hookah filing, almost 2 lbs of THC-laced edibles and 2 grams of THC oil. At Green Department, investigators recovered 8.9 lbs. of cannabis.
Dec. 2024 D.C. medical cannabis sales steady but far below previous years
Medical cannabis sales in December 2024 grew by $50,000 from November 2024. Overall dispensary sales dropped slightly over the month, according to the monthly metrics report released by The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration. Manufacturer sales overtook $800,000 in overall sales which is higher than October. However, Q1 2025 was over $1.5 million less than the same financial period in 2024. Sales in December 2023 were also over $600,000 higher than in December 2024. December 2024 D.C. medical cannabis sales were the lowest of the same month in the last four years, still showing the impact of Maryland’s recreational legalization.
- New D.C. dispensaries Mr. Green and Don Fuego are open.
- Four new retail locations were placarded and one received a license last week. View the updates on our map.
- ABC Board meeting Jan. 23 at 10:30 A.M., agenda, watch.
- DC Marijuana Justice group, held a small gathering on inauguration day.
Maryland’s first vertically integrated social equity license opens
Standard Wellness Maryland will open a location in Baltimore on Jan. 18, 2025. The African American and Latina majority-owned, vertically integrated cannabis company makes history as one of the first companies of its kind, according to a press release. The store called The Forest will be located at 3301 Boston Street, in Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood. “We are incredibly honored to break new ground in Maryland’s retail cannabis landscape,” Christina Betancourt Johnson, founder and chief executive officer of Standard Wellness Maryland and The Forest, said.
- Gov. Wes Moore is proposing a cannabis tax increase from 9% to 15% starting in FY 2027.
Frequent potent cannabis users in Maryland are contracting a resulting illness and being sent to emergency rooms
Maryland’s chronic cannabis users are experiencing an illness landing them in the emergency room. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is known to affect people using highly potent cannabis frequently. Symptoms like nausea, migraines, diarrhea and stomach pain have been common among those suffering.
Virginia senate committee backs legalization bill for cannabis sales even with Governor’s pushback
Virginia’s Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services voted to advance SB 970, one of a pair of bills from Sen. Aaron Rouse. SB 970 is a step in regulating and legalizing adult-use cannabis sales in the state. Gov. Glenn Youngkin is clear about another veto against the changes if lawmakers choose to pass the bills, similarly to previous cannabis reform.
- Virginia Crime Commission wants all cannabis possession records sealed
East Coast Roundup
A New York Supreme Court ruled that raids on cannabis shops by the Office of Cannabis Management and the New York City Sheriff’s Office without warrants violate shop owners’ rights.
The Bronx is seeing New York’s first tier-one cannabis processing business with ProXtract set to stock licensed cannabis shops this spring. ProXtract will blend, package, manufacture, extract and distribute products to licensed cannabis dispensaries.
Pennsylvania Sen. Dan Laughlin expects to follow through with legislation that would legalize recreational adult-use cannabis in the state. Laughlin aims to develop a regulated cannabis market for adults while protecting non-consumers.
Culture & More
BBK Tobacco & Foods, Raw rolling papers’ parent company was awarded $8.7 million in a copyright infringement case against AIMS Group USA Corp. and their partners, ruled as copying the Raw’s packaging designs for the Indian manufactured “Brocone” brand.
The Addictive Behaviors journal published a study looking at the connection between cannabis consumption and other behaviors found adults crush the “lazy stoner” stereotype by being more physically active on occasions using cannabis.
DoorDashannounced it will be offering cannabis home delivery for both CBD and THC products. Their service will deliver hemp derived products including gummies, chocolates, beverages.
Around the Country
FEATURED: Michigan’s cannabis market is budding with sales this past year reaching a state record bringing in over $3 billion. The market’s also maturing with price comparisons being an example of some challenges and inconsistencies with Michigan cannabis.
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Texas is bypassing strict cannabis laws with continued support and growth in the state’s intoxicating hemp market. The state’s over 7,000 cannabis dispensaries and other cannabis related services and products are allowed to consumers and businesses through the loopholes in conservative legislation.
Former Nebraska Board of Health member and a co-founder of anti-cannabis organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana, John Kuehn has included six state officials in a lawsuit looking to pull back voter-approved cannabis legalization.
From the swamp
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney II ruled on cancelling a scheduled hearing for late January awaiting the outcome in an unfiled appeal to DEA administrator Anne Milgram’s eventual replacement.
National Rifle Association lobbyists are saying Americans’ Second Amendment rights are being directly influenced by the landscape left from the government’s decision to ban cannabis consumers from owning firearms.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration turned down Colorado officials looking to participate in the country’s cannabis rescheduling process despite state authorities without regulated cannabis being allowed like Tennessee and Nebraska. The alleged bias highlights the need to remove the administration from overseeing the hearings, according to advocates.