“Having all of those things that have worked against us to get where we are, to using it to get where the are and use it as fuel, allowing that to be the shining light on who we are and what we do. It’s evolved, our awareness of who we are and what were doing, far beyond just growing weed and having a cannabis brand.”
Trez Wilson
OG Cultivation, which Trez Wilson co-founded with his business partner and older brother, evolved from being one of Colorado’s only Black-owned cannabis cultivation companies to a multi-purpose company with a broader scope. The company, which has a 2.5 acre plot where it cultivates its weed and indoor growing facilities, also sells weed products and has its own line of merch and apparel called OG for Life.
Wilson first entered the legal cannabis space in 2010 when he launched a retail business in Colorado with his sister. In 2018, he decided to pursue a cultivation license, purchased land with his brother, and began raising capital and building momentum with the OG brand.
Since the last downturn, more states have legal marijuana – with its strong revenue stream
It seems economic uncertainly has arrived. Wall Street has taken a major tumble as unemployment seems to rise. Consumer confidence has been shaken as prices on staples, including eggs, remain high. Tariffs with neighboring countries are threatening jobs and household budgets. While the federal government is less concerned, state budgets could take bigger hits. But will legal cannabis, will marijuana help states during economic uncertainty?
Marijuana legalization has emerged as a powerful economic tool for states, offering a lifeline during uncertain economic times. By fostering job creation, generating significant tax revenue, and stimulating local economies, the cannabis industry has proven to be a transformative force. Already, three states make over $500 million in annual tax revenue from the plant.
Photo by Cappi Thompson/Getty Images
The cannabis industry is one of the faster-growing sectors in the U.S., with job opportunities spanning agriculture, retail, manufacturing, and ancillary services such as compliance and marketing. Over the past decade, legal cannabis jobs have surged, with projections indicating continued growth should the federal government allow. For instance, states like Massachusetts already report more cannabis-related jobs than traditional professions like cosmetology. This job creation not only reduces unemployment but also injects income into local economies through consumer spending on essentials like housing and transportation.
Legal marijuana markets generate billions in tax revenue annually. States have embraced legalization use these funds to bolster budgets and invest in critical public services. For example, Colorado allocated $7.3 million from cannabis tax revenue to homeless services and housing initiatives1. Nationwide legalization could further amplify this impact, with estimates suggesting $8.5 billion in annual tax revenue for all states combined. These funds are often reinvested in education, infrastructure, public health programs, and community development projects.
Cannabis legalization revitalizes local economies by attracting businesses and increasing demand for commercial real estate. Most cannabis business tend to be mom and pop business including retailers, farmers and local regional producers of products. From cultivation facilities to retail dispensaries, the industry drives investments in equipment and infrastructure that benefit both urban and rural areas. Moreover, every dollar spent on cannabis generates an additional $2 in economic activity through a multiplier effect. States like Alaska, Colorado, and Massachusetts demonstrate how per-capita economic benefits can significantly enhance local prosperity
“Cannabis drives economic growth, creates jobs, and generates tax revenue while offering a safer alternative to alcohol. It’s a less harmful recreational substance and a valuable medicine to millions of Americans” shares industry expert Jesse Redmond, Head of Investor Relations & Business Development of LEEF.
Legalization also reduces the financial burden of enforcing marijuana prohibition. The U.S. spends approximately $7.7 billion annually on drug enforcement. By redirecting these funds toward education, regulation, and community support programs, states can achieve both economic savings and social equity.
Millions of weed smokers say adios to winter’s worst with a breathtaking selection of lucky green across the USA and Canada this St. Patrick’s Day.
Legalization in over 20 states offers ever more affordable alternatives to booze. The California outdoor is perfectly cured. Your favorite musician has a new strain. Maryland has Cookies brand Cinnamon Milk. Even Texas has THCA Pink Certz.
This hand-picked selection includes fresh flowers, rosin chocolates, and infused ‘dogwalkers’—small joints perfect for party-hopping. Just make sure you go easy if you’re cross-fading.
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California St. Patrick’s Day strains and edibles picks
Original Glue by various, including by Down Om Farms
It’s rare to encounter extremely potent cannabis with a faceted, enjoyable high that doesn’t transform you into a zombie halfway through the blunt.
This real, original cut of GG4 (Gorilla Glue #4) grown in living soil by Down Om Farms (available through Farm Cut) is a perfect flower. The potency is rivaled only by the deeply relaxing and joyful experience of its high.
Heavy on the gas, cream, and chocolate, the nose alone is intoxicating. A single poof coats your mouth in a layer of syrupy terps. The first time I smoked it, I was so high I thought I had also eaten at some point.
Turns out, I had only snapped a single bowl, and this flower is that good.—Lindsay MaHarray
Point Breeze by Khalifa Kush
Point Breeze. (Courtesy Khalifa Kush)
Wiz Khalifa adds a 5th strain to his Khalifa Kush lineup—Point Breeze. That’s Khalifa Kush x Gastro Pop for a potent mix of OG Kush fuel and grape gas. Wiz dropped it at Stiiizy March 7, and it’ll make its way across the US next. (CA, coming to AZ, NV, OR, MD, FL, PA, MA)
4 Directions by Emerald Spirit Botanicals
Four Directions. (Jackie Bryant)
Four Directions from Mendocino’s Emerald Spirit Botanicals is yet another Farm Cut masterpiece—because real ones know flower should be untamed. A cross of Pink Boost Goddess (five-time CA State Fair Gold Medalist, 2024 Golden Bear winner) and Harmony Rose (Emerald Cup champ), this strain is a symphony of cannabinoids: THC, CBD, THCV, and CBDV wrapped in 4.2%+ terps. Myrcene brings lush berry sweetness, β-Ocimene adds a citrusy snap, and terpinolene laces in an herbaceous, floral funk. Sun-grown in well-tended soil, jarred fresh with the loosest of trims, Four Directions is as nature intended—pure, potent, and ridiculously flavorful.—Jackie Bryant
Wavvy by Wavves
Wavvy art from Wavves. (Courtesy Wavves)
Beach weather arrives in your ears and lungs with garage rocker Wavves of LA’s launch of Wavvy Supply Co. Wavves has “mini-donuts” containing hash, and Wavvy minis in dispensaries. Blast the new Wavves track “So Long” and make your winter cares a distant memory.
Zours by Hall of Flame
Fresh off Zalympix contest win for “Most Unique”—this mix of Z and Sour D is lighting up people’s senses then knocking them on their asses. This strain gained a lot of love in 2024 with the exotics crowd, and it would seem that Sweet and Sour weed is definitely on the menu for 2025. —Matt Jackson
See also: Fig Farms Duffy’s 14-gram smalls; Raw Garden’s new ‘Sprout’ all-in-one; Rove Ice Packs and Diamond Series vapes.
St. Patrick’s Day Affiliate partner pick
Recommended product
A staple of our St. Patrick’s Days, CANN’s delicately dosed 2 mg THC and 4 mg CBD really pairs well with picnics and garden parties. Skip the hangovers with this microdosed seltzer that’ll make the drunks less annoying. They use 100% agave nectar, fresh ginger, and high-quality THC and CBD distillate. One CANN equals a glass of wine, and it has just 35 calories. Available nationwide.
Arizona
Zpectrum by Alien Labs
Get this new RS-11 x Z #22 cross in Arizona and puff on the toughest stuff in the market. Shop Alien Labs in Arizona.
Sluggers infused prerolls + Curaleaf
California’s infused joint-maker, Hit Sluggers, are selling quickly in their new market of Arizona via a collaboration with Flow Distro and Curaleaf. Sluggers knock their potent joints out of the park with fire flower that is hand-trimmed, ground, packed, hand-painted with rosin, and hand-rolled in keef. These ‘dogwalker-sized’ joints test around 50% THC and come in artfully designed packaging with collectible cards. Shop Sluggers in Arizona.
Illinois
Garlic Butter by Revolution
Why only drink your green when you can also smoke it? This St. Patty’s Day, the Garlic Butter strain goes along with corned beef and mashed potatoes. This cross between GMO and Fortune Cookie is perfect for wanting to feel focused, uplifted, and happy! The smell is buttery, with a cheesy hint to complement the aroma. The buds are light green (leprechauns love it) and have subtle hints of orange hairs. Before sitting down for an Irish dinner or hitting the town, smoking your greens can bring the best luck with quality bud.—Hannah Vyosky
Four-leaf clover? In New York, it’s more like 10 leaves. Soft Power Sweets’ new chocolate bars take the shape of flowers (or clovers, depending how you look at it). Each petal contains a single dose of live rosin-infused, vegan milk chocolate. For the marathon that is St. Patrick’s Day, we recommend the “Pick Me Up” sativa-based option. Each petal has 5 mg THC and 2.5 mg CBD in chocolate made with almond milk instead of animal products. Even if you don’t find the pot of gold, you can still feel like you’re over the rainbow. —Amelia Williams
Love Jones by Method Man’s TICAL
Love Jones. (Courtesy TICAL)
Finally, something resembling West Coast Weed. Method Man—an artist who needs no introduction. Love Jones—a symphonic harmony of White Runtz, Jet Fuel Gelato, Horchata, and Grape Gas #10. TICAL—an iconic album and now brand created by Method Man. TICAL in New York comes from ADK Hemp Co, who describe their growing facility as indoor, with help from the sun. Keep a tissue handy because Love Jones has stick, plus you’ll probably stick to the couch. It oozes those classic Runtz and Gelato terps, with a grape and cinnamon twist.—A.W.
Almost mythical in its elusiveness, Quebec Gold is the blurry sasquatch photo of cannabis cultivars. Consequently, it’s often duped thanks to its legendary reputation and gold-standard genetics from Canada’s cannabis hall of fame, including M-39, the problem child of Northern Lights #5 and Skunk #1, and Freezeland, a canon legacy market favourite in northern Quebec. Quebec Gold is a sativa-leaning party strain with zero social anxiety. It’s lemon-heavy but has an exceptionally complex tropical flavour profile of pineapple, mango, and pine. Perfect for potheads partying with drunk friends, you can keep the conversations flowing and satisfy any dry mouth with whatever green drinks are on deck! —Amanda Breeze
Michigan
Quad-infused rolls by Jeeter
Jeeter quads have hash and flavor 4 ways. (Courtesy Jeeter)
America’s top-selling infused joint brand, Jeeter, have introduced “quad” rolls this March—a joint with four layers of hash and flavor in it. Specifically, THCA liquid diamonds, terpenes, kief, and now rosin. The rosin adds a “smoother, more full-spectrum effect.” These things pack a punch at over 40% THC, so one puff can be enough. (Also in CA and AZ)
See also: Doja Pak Permanent Marker at King of Budz; Clout King Wagyu at JARS Cannabis
Lastly, Green Dot Labs brand Final Boss (Cherry Pot Pie x F.A.F.O.). King of Green Dot’s gas-heavy lineages, including OG Kush, Chem, GMO, Sour Diesel, and Cherry Pie.
What exactly is a billion dollars? Well, it’s the amount of money you’d make on a North American tour…if you were Taylor Swift. Or the stack of cash that Deadpool & Wolverine brought in at the box office. Or the estimated GDP of the South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu.
When it comes to cannabis, the figure offers a snapshot of a state industry’s strength. But it doesn’t necessarily reflect population data. Nor is it limited to states that have boasted legal weed for a long time, or even states that have rec programs at all.
As we dive headfirst into 2025, we’ve put together a list of the states that crossed the $1 billion threshold last year, as well as some of the market trends those states illuminated. Buckle up, and prepare to be surprised.
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Arizona
In 2024, Arizona fell hundreds of millions of dollars short of maintaining the epic sales run it had in 2023—that year, retailers sold $1.4 billion of cannabis. Nevertheless, Arizona held on to its status as a member of the “Billion Dollar” club in 2024. Last year, Arizona also continued to see its share of medical marijuana revenue shrink; it was down to about 17% of total sales, from 21% the year prior.
California
May the best bud win. The Emerald Cup contestant case in Richmond, CA. (David Downs/Leafly)
Despite its huge illicit market, California remains The Big Kahuna of cannabis. In 2024, the Golden State sold an estimated $4.27 billion of legal weed. According to state data, flower comprised nearly 40% of all sales, vapes counted for about a quarter of sales, and edibles made up roughly 10%. California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, but medical marijuana only comprised 8% of total cannabis sales in 2024.
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Colorado
The Colorado cannabis industry, alas, did not have a great 2024. Wholesale prices fell, and the state reported $1.28 billion sales, its lowest numbers since 2015. As our friend Mona Zhang at Politico reported last year, the trend has other states worried. Here’s to hoping Colorado has a big 2025!
Even though Florida failed to pass adult-use legalization last November (thanks to the state’s 60% vote threshold), the Sunshine State’s medical program still outpaces many of its fully legal peers. According to data from the Brightfield Group, Florida dispensaries sold $2.1 billion of medical marijuana in 2024.
Illinois
Unlike some of the original rec states, Illinois saw its cannabis market continue to grow in 2024: The state sold nearly $1.8 billion of marijuana, a high point since sales began in 2020. In more good news, Illinois has officially expunged over 20,000 cannabis-related convictions since 2020. A big bravo to the Land of Lincoln!
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Maryland
Far & Dotter cut the ribbon on legal cannabis in Maryland. (Leafly)
Even though Maryland only launched its rec program in July 2023, the state industry has blossomed rapidly. In the 2024 calendar year, Maryland generated $1.14 billion in adult-use and medical marijuana sales. We suspect that’s resulted in a significant bump to the state’s Old Bay-dusted crab leg market as well.
Massachusetts
It ain’t just Illinois. Massachusetts also had its biggest sales year ever in 2024: A grand total of $1.64 billion of cannabis. Shout-out to the state’s Cannabis Control Commission for highlighting Worcester County as the “cannabis capital of Massachusetts”—$1.4 billion of sales have occurred there since 2018!
Michigan
Even though it now faces competition from neighboring Ohio, Michigan still pulled off a record year in 2024. The Great Lake State sold $3.29 billion of cannabis last year, a 7% increase from 2023. And for context, Michigan has only one-quarter the population of California, but three-quarters the amount of cannabis sales. Wolverines love their weed!
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Missouri’s adult-use program only launched two years ago, but business is booming in the Show-Me State. In 2024, retailers there sold $1.4 billion of cannabis. According to LKP Impact Consulting, men purchased nearly two-thirds of all that pot, and Millennials made up 40% of all shoppers.
Pennsylvania
While the eternal legal pot booster Senator John Fetterman has yet to seal the deal in his home state, Pennsylvania’s medical market is still doing big business. Dispensaries sold over $1.6 billion of medical marijuana in 2024 to over 440,000 patients. Unlike in Colorado, rapidly sinking wholesale prices in Pennsylvania led to more purchases, not less.
Washington
Cannabis sales in Washington State have been on a minor but consistent decline for the past few years, but the state is nonetheless expected to have generated $1.2 billion in 2024, when all the numbers get crunched. That’s roughly the same sales total as Colorado, even though Washington is home to nearly two million more people.
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See, we told you there would be some surprises!
At least 11 states racked up medical and adult-use cannabis sales over $1 billion in 2024. Don’t forget—you can double those totals when you count illicit cannabis, too. Nearly 88% of US voters now support medical or adult-use. It’s clear that cannabis is huge, and states can choose to either reasonably regulate and tax it, or hand over those dollars to the streets or competing states.
