There were 40,415 tracked active cannabis licenses in the United States at the end of April 2026. These permits vary widely in numbers per state. For example, Maryland is home to 1,320 medical and recreational licenses, while Virginia has 290 medical licenses only. So, what is the most current information about the East Coast cannabis industry? Keep reading for a breakout of cannabis licensing updates for Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Maryland Cannabis License: Updates for Current Holders
While Maryland is not accepting new applications for cannabis licenses in Maryland, there are updates for current Maryland cannabis license holders: For processors, high-potency liquid edibles may be produced. Regardless of THC content, licensed processors may acquire hemp and hemp-derived products from registered hemp growers if they request approval from MCA prior to accepting delivery through the hemp acquisition process. Hemp-derived products containing more than 0.5 mg THC per serving or 2.5 mg THC per package may only be sold by licensed dispensaries if they have been manufactured, processed and tested in accordance with MCA regulations. Dispensaries may now dispense cannabis through a walk-up window with the same parameters as drive-through dispensing. Additionally, a kiosk in the public waiting area for check-in purposes only is allowed, provided (1) patients and adult-use consumers are permitted to check-in with an agent instead, i.e. kiosk may not be the only check-in option; and (2) the kiosk must require a patient or consumer to opt-in to entering their information if it will be saved for any amount of time. Micro Dispensaries have also seen changes, including:- established requirements of independent control and surveillance for micro dispensaries storing inventory on another licensee’s premises
- visitor procedures with exceptions for emergency personnel are established in alignment with other license types
- a micro dispensary owner only needs to be a registered agent if they work or volunteer in any operational areas of the premises, including delivery vehicles
Pennsylvania Cannabis Business License: What's Currently in Place
The Pennsylvania cannabis business license group is not accepting applications now but the outlines of the process are posted. The department may issue permits for no more than 25 growers/processors. Applications must be submitted with an initial non-refundable fee of $10,000, a permit fee of $200,000, which is refundable if the permit is not granted, and proof of $2 million in capital ($500,000 of which must be on deposit in a financial institution). Regarding cannabis business licenses in Pennsylvania for dispensaries, the department will issue permits initially for no more than 50 dispensaries. Applications must be submitted with an initial non-refundable fee of $5,000, a permit fee of $30,000, which is refundable if the permit is not granted, and proof of $150,000 in capital.Virginia Cannabis Business License: Adult-Use Launches in 2026
Although not specified on the government website yet, industry sources suggest that the process for cannabis business licenses in Virginia will be accepting applications beginning Sept. 1, 2026. It is important to note, these applications are currently assumed to be for pharmaceutical processor permits only, as the Virginia General Assembly has not reenacted the legislative framework for creating an adult-use retail market. Until the General Assembly passes legislation creating an adult-use retail market, there will not be a licensing process for retail dispensaries or other adult-use cannabis licenses. To open a medical cannabis dispensary, pharmaceutical processors may apply only during an open Notice of Open Applications period. A notice will be placed on the CCA website when this occurs. Virginia is moving quickly toward adult-use licensing in 2026. The Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) is required to open the application window by July 1, 2026, with retail sales expected to begin for qualifying licensees by Nov. 1, 2026. Key licensing milestones and types:- By Sept. 1, 2026, up to 100 microbusiness licenses are to be issued to impact applicants, qualified farmers and industrial hemp processors. A retail license cap of 350 applies, and licenses will be awarded by lottery where qualified applicants exceed available slots.
- Existing pharmaceutical processors (currently the only authorized medical cannabis operators in the state) may apply for dual-use privileges allowing both medical and adult-use sales, upon payment of a $10 million conversion fee payable in installments over three years. Industrial hemp growers or processors registered before Jan. 1, 2021 may apply for up to 10 cultivation licenses and 10 processing licenses via a $500,000 pathway fee.
- For new medical cannabis pharmaceutical processor permits, applications are only accepted during open Notice of Open Application periods announced on the CCA website. A maximum of five permits - one per health service area: Northwestern Virginia, Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia, South Central Virginia and Eastern Virginia - are available. The application fee is $18,000 and the initial permit fee is $165,000.