Maryland
Maryland’s First Month Of Recreational Marijuana Sales Totals $85 Million
Cannabis retailers in Maryland saw a strong start to recreational marijuana sales last month, with data from state regulators showing nearly $85 million in sales for July, the first month of regulated adult-use cannabis sales. Regulated sales of recreational marijuana began on July 1 at the state’s existing medical marijuana retailers under legislation passed by lawmakers earlier this year.
Data from the Maryland Cannabis Administration and METRC, the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system technology vendor, show that licensed cannabis retailers rang up $84.95 million in sales of adult-use cannabis and medical marijuana between July 1 and July 30. By comparison, last year Maryland’s cannabis retailers posted sales of medical marijuana totaling just over $43 million in July, about half of this year’s total. A representative for New York-based Curaleaf, one of the nation’s largest cannabis companies, said that net sales of marijuana for the 28 days after the start of adult-use sales on July 1 doubled the sales recorded over the previous four weeks.
Maryland’s cannabis retailers sold more than $85 million worth of pot during the first 30 days of … [+]
Cannabis flower was by far the most popular form of marijuana for Maryland consumers last month, with more than $51 million in total sales for July coming from the product category. Cannabis concentrates brought in more than $22 million in sales, while weed edibles sales totaled $6.3 million.
Last month’s strong sales began out of the gate, with total sales of cannabis products on July 1 coming in at more than $4.5 million, including more than $3.5 million in recreational pot sales and about $959,000 in medical marijuana sales. Cannabis market data firm Headset reported that on the first day of recreational sales, Maryland cannabis retailers averaged nearly $50,000 in total sales, an increase of 252% over an average of the previous four Saturdays, when the market was still medical only.
Ben Burstein, a strategist at wholesale cannabis marketplace LeafLink, notes that Maryland’s first month of recreational marijuana sales puts the state on a pace to log approximately three-quarters of a billion dollars in annual sales.
“Maryland’s adult-use retail sales have had an incredible start in its first month, hitting $21 million in the first week alone,” Burstein writes in an email. “This puts the state on track for an annual run-rate of $700 million to $800 million, making it one of the top-performing markets this year.”
Recreational Pot Sales Legalized In May
In November, Maryland voters legalized recreational marijuana with the passage of Question 4, a state referendum that was approved with nearly two-thirds of the vote. In April, lawmakers passed legislation to regulate adult-use cannabis production and sales beginning on July 1, followed by the signing of the bill by Governor Wes Moore in early May. Under the measure, all adults in Maryland aged 21 and up with proper identification are allowed to purchase regulated marijuana products including cannabis flower, vapes and gummies.
SILVER SPRING, MD – JULY 1: Ben Kovler, CEO of Rise dispensaries and Emma Cannon, from I Support the … [+]
The legislation also changed the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, which previously regulated the production and sale of medical marijuana, to the Maryland Cannabis Administration. Will Tilburg, the acting director of the new agency, said that regulated sales of cannabis in Maryland are expected to triple over the next year with the launch of recreational marijuana sales.
“There’s more than 4 million eligible consumers versus 168,000 medical patients,” Tilburg said, according to a WBAL report in June.
Darren Weiss, the president of cannabis multistate operator Verano Holdings, praised Maryland’s transition to a regulated recreational marijuana market.
“I can say that this was the single easiest launch that we’ve ever been through in terms of dealing with regulators and just understanding the market,” Weiss told WMAR, Baltimore’s ABC affiliate. “We’ve had absolutely no snafus from a regulatory or compliance perspective.”
So far, the Maryland Cannabis Administration has converted the licenses of 95 medical marijuana dispensaries so that they can serve recreational cannabis customers, the agency reported last month. Additionally, state regulators have licensed 42 cannabis cultivators and manufacturers to produce adult-use products.
MARYLAND — A major eye drop brand has issued a product recall in Maryland and across the United States for possible fungal contamination, which officials said could cause an eye infection and threaten users’ vision.
Alcon Laboratories is voluntarily recalling one lot of their Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-the-Go, which are in a 25-count package and are used to relieve dry eyes. The Texas-based company got a customer complaint of foreign material inside one of the sealed vials, which was determined “to be fungal in nature,” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
If the contaminated drops are used, the fungus could cause an eye infection that may threaten the users’ vision and is potentially life-threatening for immunocompromised patients.
No customers have reported an infection thus far, according to the FDA recall announcement.
These recalled eye drops were shipped to retailers nationwide and also are available online, the FDA said.
The affected Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-the-Go is limited to lot number 10101, with an expiration date of September 2025. They come in a green and pink carton and are sold in quantities of 25. The lot number and expiration date are printed on the back of the box and each vial.
Any customers who have these eye drops in their homes are advised to stop using them immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a replacement or refund.
Alcon Laboratories is also notifying all its distributors and customers about the recall, and asks any retailers or distributors who still have these eye drops in stock to recall them.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Alcon Laboratories at 1-800-241-5999 between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Eastern), Monday to Friday. Anyone who experiences any problems that could be related to this product should contact their physician or healthcare provider, the FDA said.
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There’s no change at the top of the latest Maryland high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings. Bullis School, DeMatha Catholic, Georgetown Prep, St. Frances Academy and Glenelg Country School maintain their positions in the Top 5.
Edmondson-Westside is the biggest mover this week, going from 24th to No. 21 after knocking off then-No. 21 Baltimore City College. Prince George’s Christian Academy debuts at No. 22, thanks to its win over then-No. 20 Clinton Grace Academy.
Previous rank: 1
The Bulldogs, who lost in the Signature Series final at the City of Palms Classic in Florida, will play at the Jordan Brand Holiday Classic starting Friday.
Previous rank: 2
The Stags will play at the Governor’s Challenge in Salisbury, Friday and Saturday.
Previous rank: 3
The Little Hoyas will play at the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic in San Diego starting Thursday.
Previous rank: 4
The Panthers, who defeated No. 7 Our Lady of Mount Carmel in overtime, will play at the Jordan Brand Holiday Classic in New York, Saturday and Sunday.
Previous rank: 5
The Dragons will play at the Governor’s Challenge Saturday and Sunday.
Previous rank: 6
The Cavaliers will play at the Governor’s Challenge Friday and Saturday.
Previous rank: 7
The Cougars, who lost to DeMatha Catholic and St. Frances Academy, will play at the Mid Penn Bank Classic in Pennsylvania Friday and Saturday.
Previous rank: 8
The Gaels will play at the Junior Orange Bowl Classic in Florida starting Friday.
Previous rank: 9
The Warriors will play at the Governor’s Challenge Saturday and Sunday.
Previous rank: 10
The Lions will play at the Governor’s Challenge Friday and Saturday.
Previous rank: 11
The Bengals have scored 90 or more points four times.
Previous rank: 12
The Patriots, who dropped close decisions to No. 5 Glenelg Country School and No. 6 Archbishop Spalding, will play at the Benedictine Capital City Classic in Virginia starting Friday.
Previous rank: 13
The Lions rebounded from loss to SIdwell Friends School (D.C.) with victories over Mount Zion Prep-Blue team and New Hope Academy.
Previous rank: 15
The Dons, who’ve won three straight, will play at the Blue Jay Christmas Classic in New Orleans starting Friday.
Previous rank: 16
The Eagles will play at the Benedictine Capital City Classic starting Friday.
Previous rank: 14
The Mustangs, who went winless at the City of Palms Classic in Florida, will play Archbishop Wood (Pa.) at the Governor’s Challenge Monday..
Previous rank: 17
The Eagles will play at the Severna Park Winter Jam Tournament Thursday and Friday.
Previous rank: 18
The Lions have lost two of their last three decisions.
Previous rank: 19
The Crusaders knocked off District of Columbia No. 3 St. John’s College.
Previous rank: 22
The Pumas will host the Lou Wilson Holiday Tournament, Friday and Saturday.
Previous rank: 24
The Red Storm, who defeated then-No. 21 Baltimore City College, will play at the Governor’s Challenge Thursday and Friday.
Previous rank: Not ranked
The Flyers, who defeated then-No. 20 Clinton Grace Christian, will play at the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina starting Friday.
Previous rank: 21
The Black Knights, who dropped decisions to then-No. 24 Edmondson-Westside and West Catholic Prep (Pa.) will play at the Governor’s Challenge, Friday and Saturday.
Previous rank: 23
The Seahawks will play at the Governor’s Challenge, Friday and Saturday.
Previous rank: 25
The Hubs will play at the Skip Fowler Memorial Tournament in West Virginia, Friday and Saturday.
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