Best of times? Worst of times? … Why not both at once?

The year 2025 will be good for consumers in terms of pricing, stores, selection, home growing, and hash. Prices will be low, more stores will open with more options, cool seeds will flourish, and hash will be everywhere.

But it’s going to be another bear of a year for growers, sellers, and activists. Both Republicans and Democrats love soaking the pot industry with taxes and regulations.  America’s 40 million or so past-month smokers have yet to find their voice and push back.

The wheel of time is set to turn once again. So let’s punch up our annual predictions in the style of asking questions to a Magic 8 Ball. We’ll let you make the pot puns.

Big legislative moves

Will Congress legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will the federal government reschedule marijuana? Outlook not so good.

Will Congress further regulate hemp-derived products? Most likely. 

Will the States further regulate hemp-derived products? It is decidedly so.

State legalization in 2025

Will Pennsylvania legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will Oklahoma legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will Hawaii legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will New Hampshire legalize marijuana? Very doubtful.

Will Florida legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will more local, state, and federal expungement efforts continue? Outlook good.

Will more local cities and counties decriminalize cannabis? Yes.

Retail

Will more than 100 new dispensaries open in legal US states? It is certain.

Will more delivery, pickup, and drive-through options open up in legal US states? You may rely on it.

Will more lounges open up in legal US states? It is certain.

Will the East Coast states gain stores, farms, and clout in the legal market? Signs point to yes.

Will California cannabis cafe culture hit new heights? As I see it, yes.

Strains & Products

Will blueberry be a hype flavor of 2024? Most likely.

Will Zoap be a hype flavor of 2024? Outlook good.

Will Lemon Cherry Gelato peak? Very doubtful.

Will consumers see a lot more live rosin all-in-one vapes? Yes.

Will consumers see a lot more seeds for sale? Yes.

Will even more of the crop go to fresh-frozen? Most likely.

Will even more of cannabis culture become about hash? As I see it, yes.

Will cannabis prices find their bottom? Don’t count on it.

Will value-added cannabis products like live rosin reach new price heights? Signs point to yes.

Will the home grow movement get bigger? Signs point to yes.

More legislation

Will more cities or states debate and pass THC caps? Most likely.

Will cannabis face continued censorship on social platforms? Better not tell you now.

Will the US government legalize cannabis banking? Unclear, ask again later.

Will cannabis taxes and regulations go up? Signs point to yes.

Will more states try ‘social equity’ laws? Yes.

Will more legal challenges narrow or nullify ‘social equity’ laws? Most likely. 

Will consumers form a big association and find their political voice? Concentrate and try again.

Will Canadian cannabis remain stagnant and over-regulated? Better not tell you now.

See how easy that was? If you don’t like our Predictions, leave one of your own in our survey below. Afterward, get out there and prove us wrong. The future is unwritten. Our fates are what we make it, so go make yours a good one. See you in 2025.

Roughly 25% of people are planning to give cannabis as a holiday gift….here are some practical suggestions to make it a success.

Last year was a watershed year for Santa with 1 in 4 planning to add cannabis into their gift giving, the trend is only going up in 2024. Since the plant has become mainstream (except for a few in DC), it is to be found under the tree, next to the menorah and during festive gatherings. Gen Z and Millennials are leading the trend with 78% (vs. 56% of Gen X and Boomers) in planning to include cannabis in their holiday plans. But you you want to do it right, here are the best tips if you are giving marijuana as a gift.

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

While giving alcohol is a long tradition, giving cannabis is does have some variances.  To start, so far most can’t grab it out of personal stock or fish it out of Christmas gifts already given for the year. While Costco, groceries stores and Total Wine are the booze top sellers, it can be also purchased in bodegas, gas stations and other locations. Cannabis still has to be purchased at specialized dispensaries.

First, plan ahead when you shop. The good news is most dispensaries keep hours similar to a grocery store – open by 9 am and closing around or after 10 pm. This makes dashing in for a last minute gift or squeezing it in during the day easy. Remember to bring cash, have a plan and chill out.

The good news isyou can’t seem to be “cheap” giving weed. Most edibles are in a small price range, whereas wine bought at a grocery stores can go for $6-$100.  And the quality of the wine can vary greatly. Most edibles, including gummies, are within the same price point and potency while caring on quality.  Wana Brands, one of the nation’s leading gummy makers, hits the mid spot on price.  Also, unless you are doing a hefty gift basket, you are can give one or two items as a trail.

Never overestimate someone’s usage. Think about the recipient’s experience level and preferences when selecting cannabis gifts. For most, consider starting with low-dose or CBD-dominant products. Gummies, vapes, oil, or gift cards are all popular choices.  Also, ask the budtender what the best sellers for mid level consumers.

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

If you are in the less than 50% of the population where legal cannabis is available, consider hemp beverages. It can provide a quick, similar high but is legal.  In Texas, they are huge sellers and can be found in some Total Wines, local convenience stores and other locations.

Lastly, have a hint of discretion, it might not be the best public secret Santa gift, but gummies can be a fun White Elephant!

From the arrival of a New Jersey shop co-owned by a member of the Wu-Tang Clan to a dispensary located just minutes from San Francisco International Airport, here are the notable new dispensaries that opened in the past month.

Got a new shop? Put it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise. 

California

Embarc—San Bruno, CA. Opened Nov. 15. Travelers of San Francisco’s SFO Airport had early reason to give thanks with the opening of San Bruno’s first dispensary — located just minutes from the bustling international travel hub. In addition to its sublime convenience, the location means Embarc now has an impressive total of 16 dispensaries across California. 120 El Camino Real, San Bruno.

The Showcase—Fairfield, CA. Opened Nov. 27. Located east of Vallejo, the Showcase provides Fairfield customers with a wide array of top-shelf cannabis products. Proving its name is no fluke, Showcase stocks premium flower, edibles, and more. They also offer a Compassionate Use Program in addition to a menu stocked with daily deals. 101 Grobic Ct, Fairfield.

Colorado

The Buzz—Grand Junction, CO. Opened Nov. 9. The arrival of the Buzz makes a total of seven retail dispensaries now operating in Grand Junction, Colorado. Family-owned and operated, The Buzz — the chain’s fourth store to open thus far — boasts a menu of unique strains at “competitive prices” made even more convenient thanks to the store’s drive-through option. 1022 N 3rd St, Grand Junction.

Connecticut

Sweetspot Farms—Stamford, CT. Opened Nov. 11. Founded by two Stamford natives, Sweetspot Farms prides itself on its “community-focused values, local discounts, and a commitment to consumer education.” Sweetspot’s second location also features an “innovative digital bud bar” and “licensed pharmacists on staff and available to answer questions.” 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford.

Illinois

Mystic Greenz—Belleville, IL. Opened Nov. 6. You can cross Belleville off the list of cities in Illinois without a cannabis dispensary. Since early last month, Mystic Greenz has saved locals the drive to Collinsville or Sauget by offering quality cannabis products in Belleville proper. The location is the fourth for Mystic Greenz and is run by store manager Tabitha Brinkman: a lifelong Belleville resident. 360 S. Green Mount Rd, Belleville.

Massachusetts

EMBR Cannabis—Springfield, MA. Opened Nov. 27. More than $2 million was invested to build Springfield, Massachusetts’ first dispensary fully constructed “from the ground up.” Now open for business, EMBR represents the final product of a reclamation project that saw a long-time vacant lot transformed into a new dispensary that is also set to feature new green space in the form of a forthcoming “pocket park.” 461 Boston Rd, Springfield.

Michigan

Mango Cannabis—Lansing, MI. Opened Oct. 21. Known for their chain of medical dispensaries in Oklahoma, family-run Mango Cannabis has expanded to Lansing, Michigan to open its first retail location. With a second store set to arrive in Waterford early next year, Mango Cannabis is landing with a splash in the form of a new, 4,000-square-foot “flagship superstore” that features “sleek design elements” and an “intentionally minimalist layout” intended to “showcase products as the focal point.” 5620 South Cedar St, Lansing.

Simply Loud—Detroit, MI. Opened Nov. 1. Detroit’s newest dispensary is proudly Black-owned and absolutely stocked. Visit Simply Loud and choose from hundreds of products, including “260 types of vape cartridges and disposables” and “150 kinds of infused prerolls” while enjoying an interior “unlike any other dispensary in metro Detroit” complete with “stylish Herman Miller furniture” and sculpture work from local artists. 216 E. Milwaukee Ave, Detroit. 

New Jersey

Hashtoria—Newark, New Jersey. Opened Nov. 13. It was a true party at the grand opening for Newark’s newest dispensary, Hashtoria. That tends to happen when your shop is co-owned by Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon and Charlamagne Tha God, who both turned out to celebrate the debut of an adult-use cannabis retail space which is set to “evolve into a premier consumption lounge” early in the new year. For now, customers can enjoy loyalty rewards via the Hashtoria app and marvel at the physical space: the result of a collaboration with award-winning architect Rachael H. Grochowski. 799-805 Broad St, Newark.

Main Street—Highland Park, New Jersey. Opened Nov. 22. Main Street was created “with the intention of bringing a truly local feel to the cannabis business.” That makes sense considering the store’s owners include both second-generation and third-generation Highland Park residents.  Providing an “upscale establishment” located in the suburbs of New Jersey, Main Street’s menu features a curated list of premium cannabis products available for purchase seven days a week. 311 Raritan Ave, Highland Park.

New York

Northern Lights—Canton, NY. Opened Nov. 14. Northern Lights is a family-owned and operated dispensary named for its location in northern New York. Serving residents of St. Lawrence County and the greater Canton area, Northern Lights offers a menu ripe with all the latest brands to hit the market. The dispensary’s current offerings include premium products from the likes of Camino, Jetty Extracts, and Rolling Green. 51 Main St, Canton.

Strain Stars—Riverhead, NY. Opened Nov. 29. Clocking in at an impressive 14,400-square-feet, Strain Stars’ new location in Riverhead marks the second store for the chain previously credited with opening Long Island’s first dispensary — in Farmingdale — last summer. Strain Stars also puts a big emphasis on local community, having recently donated $100,000 to Farmingdale State College to help establish a new endowment. And get ready to browse because the Riverhead location boasts “nearly 2,000 products, including flower, concentrates, edibles, topicals, vaporizers and accessories.” 1871 Old Country Rd, Riverhead. 

Did we miss any? Leave a comment with a new one.

Got a new shop? Get it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise.