D.C. Cannabis Sees Out-of-State Surge
Washington, D.C.’s cannabis market is rapidly changing. In May 2025, out-of-state patients, particularly those utilizing the District’s self-certification model, significantly increased their purchases. This system, allowing individuals to get a D.C. medical card without a home-state recommendation, has seen 435% year-over-year growth, now accounting for 41% of all sales. Most out-of-state buyers hail from Virginia and Maryland, but interest from Florida and North Carolina is also rising. While 98% of sales remain in-store, delivery patients consistently spend more, often doubling average cart sizes.
- Next ABC Board meeting June 25 at 10:30 A.M., agenda, watch.
- The MetroPCS store, central to the #DontMuteDC movement, transitioned part of its space into a cannabis dispensary called The Crank Corner, while still playing go-go music.
- NCF is set to welcome Big Boi, Three 6 Mafia, Ty Dolla $ign, and other artists to Washington D.C. for a two-day event celebrating cannabis culture, community, and reform efforts.
- DC CBA’s recent career fair and DC Xtracts were featured in a local NBC segment on the evolving industry.
- D.C. rapper No Savage seeks permission from a judge to smoke cannabis while on probation for a 2022 shooting incident, arguing it’s integral to his music and social scene.
Gov. Moore hands out more pardons
Maryland Governor Wes Moore issued an additional nearly 7,000 pardons for misdemeanor cannabis possession convictions, expanding on a previous clemency order that pardoned over 175,000 convictions, as part of a broader effort to address racial inequities and remove barriers to employment and housing.
Firefighter fired over medical cannabis loses appeal in norfolk
A city grievance panel upheld the 2023 termination of Norfolk firefighter for medical cannabis use, despite his claims of being unfairly targeted and the firing now being illegal under state law, prompting him to consider appealing to Circuit Court and filing a civil suit.
East Coast Roundup
A Delaware bill to regulate THC-infused drinks and gummies was withdrawn due to opposition from CBD store owners, customers, and marijuana advocates, prompting further discussion for revised legislation.
Massachusetts lawmakers are addressing growing concerns about the public health impact of cannabis, especially high-potency products, by considering legislation that includes potency limits, public health warnings, and research into mental health effects.
Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro continues to advocate for cannabis legalization despite a top GOP senator ruling out its inclusion in the state budget, emphasizing potential tax revenue benefits for the state.
Culture & More
Bolivia is advocating for the international community to cease classifying traditional coca leaves as a narcotic drug, emphasizing their historical cultural, medicinal and nutritional uses in the Andes.
Former Boston Celtics player Chris Herren, through his Herren Wellness program, is now helping individuals whose lives have been negatively impacted by cannabis use disorders, particularly highlighting concerns about high-potency cannabis and related mental health issues.
New studies indicate that cannabis use, whether smoked or consumed as edibles, is significantly linked to increased cardiovascular risks, including a doubled risk of death from heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Around the Country
In Michigan’s saturated cannabis market, a small-scale cultivator named Exotic Matter is thriving by prioritizing high-quality, hand-trimmed, small-batch cannabis and live rosin, proving that quality and attention to detail can outperform larger operations.
Nearly 500 federal agents and National Guard troops conducted a large-scale raid on suspected illegal marijuana farms across 800 acres in Thermal, Southern California, leading to dozens of arrests and raising legal questions about the deployment of federalized troops.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would have banned consumable hemp products containing any THC, instead calling for a special session to establish regulations similar to alcohol, including age restrictions and stricter enforcement.
Infighting among Ohio Republicans has stalled legislation aimed at significantly altering the state’s voter-approved recreational marijuana law, primarily due to disagreements over THC limits, home cultivation rules, and the allocation of cannabis tax revenue.
Minnesota has issued its first commercial cannabis business license to Herb Quest, a microbusiness focused on outdoor cultivation in Pine County, marking a significant step towards the full launch of the state’s recreational marijuana market.
From the swamp
Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH), the new lead Republican sponsor of the SAFER Banking Act, told Ask a Pol that the Senate will not likely address the cannabis banking bill until the fall of 2025. Listen to the full interview here.
A Congressional committee approved legislation that would ban hemp products with any quantifiable amount of THC, a move that industry stakeholders warn would decimate the current hemp market.
Ross Ulbricht, the pardoned operator of the Silk Road drug market, is now advocating for the release of more prisoners, a stance that has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers despite their broader support for drug policy reform.
The U.S. House is set to vote on proposals that would allow VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis to military veterans and encourage the Department of Veterans Affairs to research the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
