D.C. cannabis tax revenue soars but unlikely to trickle down to equity fund
Medical cannabis sales in Washington, D.C. are on the rise, with April 2025 reaching $5.46 million in dispensary sales and generating approximately $327,000 in sales tax, a 90% increase from April 2024. Despite this growth, cannabis tax, at a 6% rate, constitutes a small portion of the city’s overall revenue. Legal cannabis businesses face substantial financial burdens from high licensing fees and both local and federal taxes. While cannabis tax revenue is slated to shift to the Medical Cannabis Social Equity Fund starting in FY2027 to benefit communities impacted by past cannabis enforcement, the fund’s future is uncertain due to proposed budget reductions.
President Donald Trump is proposing to eliminate federal protections for states with legalized medical cannabis and maintain the ban preventing Washington, D.C. from establishing regulated adult-use cannabis sales.
ABCA, MPD Padlock Wellshroomness
Next ABC Board meeting June 4 at 10:30 A.M., agenda, watch.
Maryland to launch new application round for cannabis business assistance fund
Governor Wes Moore announced a fourth round of Maryland’s Cannabis Business Assistance Fund, providing grants to new social equity cannabis business licensees to help with startup and operational costs. This initiative continues the state’s effort to diversify its adult-use cannabis industry, having already awarded over $45 million to support entrepreneurs.
Maryland’s expanding cannabis industry seeks a wide range of vendors, and a “Becoming a Vendor” session on Friday, June 6, will guide businesses through required and non-required registration processes via Maryland OneStop, offering expert tips for engaging with cannabis licensees. Learn more.
The Catonsville armory is set to be transformed into a state-operated cannabis incubator.
THC mocktails fill void as Virginia awaits legal weed market
As Virginia continues to await a regulated retail cannabis market, new low-dose THC-infused mocktails are emerging as popular alcohol alternatives. For instance, Richmond’s Bingo Beer Co. has launched a “Level Up” line of drinks containing 2 milligrams of THC, along with CBD and CBG, adhering to state regulations.
Zarati shop owner indicted in Abingdon on felony drug, gun charges
Aaron Ramon Miller, owner of several Zarati shops in Southwest Virginia, including a prominent cannabis-related store in Abingdon, has been indicted on multiple felony charges. The charges, issued on April 21, include distribution and possession with intent to distribute up to five pounds of marijuana, conducting an unlawful financial transaction, and nonviolent felony possession of a gun. Miller is currently listed as a fugitive.
Pro-cannabis interests spent over $1.6 million lobbying Pennsylvania lawmakers in 2024 to influence the state’s cannabis legalization debate, which remains politically complicated with discussions around market structure, revenue, and equitable access for small businesses.
New Jersey lawmakers are debating a bill to criminalize unlicensed cannabis sales and purchases, aiming to curb the illicit market, though critics argue it would recriminalize consumers.
The first family-owned adult-use cannabis grow facility in Monmouth and Ocean counties, aims to cultivate high-end products for New Jersey’s growing market of cannabis connoisseurs, positioning the state as a significant hub for premium cannabis..
Legalizing and regulating adult-use cannabis has generated nearly $25 billion in state tax revenue across 24 states since 2014, with over $4.4 billion collected in 2024 alone,
A UCSF study published in JAMA Cardiology found that chronic cannabis use, whether smoked or consumed as edibles, significantly impairs blood vessel function by approximately 50% compared to non-users.
A geriatrician’s cautionary tale of an elderly patient experiencing severe reactions to cannabis edibles highlights growing expert concerns about the rising use and potential health risks of cannabis in older adults, including increased emergency visits, fall risks, and a possible link to cognitive decline.
Haribo has recalled its Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands after traces of cannabis were found in 1kg bags, leading to health complaints in children and prompting a police investigation into how the drug contaminated the genuine Haribo products.
A new study indicates that recreational cannabis retailers are disproportionately located in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods and areas with higher proportions of people of color across 18 U.S. states where adult-use cannabis is legal.
A former South Dakota Department of Health employee, has been charged with multiple felonies and a misdemeanor for allegedly forging and self-approving her own medical cannabis card recertification to avoid fees, leveraging her position of trust.
The Texas House passed Senate Bill 3, a ban on all THC products except CBD and CBG, effectively dismantling the state’s $8 billion hemp industry by criminalizing possession and retail sales of intoxicating cannabinoids, despite criticism from businesses and veterans who rely on these products.
A Washington cannabis dispensary office manager, Ashley Avila, has been arrested and accused of embezzling approximately $770,000, which she allegedly used for gambling at a casino and purchasing luxury items like Prada purses.Nebraska lawmakers approved two appointees to the state’s Medical Cannabis Commission, Dr. Monica Oldenburg and Lorelle Mueting, despite opposition from patient advocates concerned that their past anti-cannabis stances could delay or derail the implementation of voter-approved medical marijuana access.
The Trump administration received another extension from the U.S. Supreme Court as it continues to decide whether to challenge an appeals court ruling that questioned the federal prohibition on gun ownership for cannabis consumers.
The DEA is promoting a claim that cannabis may be more likely to cause psychosis than methamphetamine, citing a psychiatrist’s opinion and emphasizing the risks, particularly for young people, amidst ongoing discussions about cannabis rescheduling.
