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The cannabis market in Washington, D.C. is undergoing a significant transformation, with a notable surge in out-of-state patients, particularly driven by the District’s unique self-certification model. While D.C. residents still comprise the majority of patients making purchases in May 2025, out-of-state shoppers are rapidly closing the gap.
A key factor in this shift is the self-certified patient category, which allows individuals to register for a D.C. medical cannabis card without needing a recommendation from their home state. This approach has seen an astounding 435% year-over-year growth, now accounting for 41% of all purchases.
The growing appeal of D.C.’s self-certification is evident in the geographic distribution of out-of-state patients. Virginia and Maryland together represented a substantial 24% of all patients served in May, underscoring the regional draw of the District’s market. Following closely are Florida and North Carolina, further highlighting the widespread impact of DC’s accessible medical cannabis program.
Despite these dramatic changes in who is buying, the way they’re shopping has remained largely consistent. In-store sales continue to dominate the market, making up a remarkable 98% of all transactions. However, a crucial insight for dispensaries lies in the purchasing habits of delivery patients: those who opt for delivery consistently spend more, often doubling the average cart size of their in-store counterparts.
As the number of dispensaries within the city continues to increase, closely monitoring patient demographics and their engagement with different purchasing channels will be essential for predicting future trends and ensuring sustained growth in the District’s burgeoning cannabis industry.
