On July 17, 2025, Washington D.C. authorities shut down Temple of the Golden Teacher, an unlicensed psychedelic shop and cannabis business operating at 511 Florida Avenue NW. The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), alongside the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), executed a Closure Order citing illegal activity and public safety risks. During the search, MPD officers seized less than an ounce of cannabis, as well as over a 1lb of psychedelic mushrooms and over 11lbs of mushroom-infused edibles. They also arrested one person for Distribution of a Controlled Substance.
A House Appropriations subcommittee advanced a bill that retains a federal funding rider—backed by former President Trump and Rep. Andy Harris—blocking Washington, D.C. from using its own tax revenue to enable recreational marijuana sales
Next ABC Board meeting July 23 at 10:30 A.M., agenda, watch.
New dispensary approved in Maryland
The St. Mary’s County Board has approved a new cannabis dispensary, Southern Waves, to open in California, Maryland. The move reflects ongoing local momentum as Maryland’s adult-use market continues to expand.
Maryland officials have reopened the search for a site to host the state’s cannabis business incubator, with multiple counties still vying to participate.
ICYMI: D.C. Shuts Down Second Psychedelic Shop, Bouquet Labs Fined $10K, Virginia Eyes 2026 Cannabis Retail
East Coast Roundup
Rhode Island regulators have paused issuing new hemp retailer licenses amid rising concerns over unregulated THC products in the market.
Culture & More
Scientists in Brazil have discovered a non-cannabis plant, Trema micrantha, that naturally produces CBD without THC, opening doors for legal alternatives.
A California professor was arrested during an ICE raid on a cannabis farm, intensifying scrutiny over immigration enforcement in the industry.
Beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps can offer pesticide-free protection for cannabis growers.
Around the Country
Federal raids on cannabis farms in California have sparked political and international backlash after a migrant worker died during an ICE operation, prompting Mexico to consider legal action. The raids, which targeted unlicensed growers tied to immigration violations, have rattled the state’s cannabis industry and drawn criticism for blending drug enforcement with aggressive immigration tactics.
Missouri’s cannabis testing director announced a new program to conduct random sampling of cannabis products to improve quality assurance.
The California State Fair is offering cannabis seeds for just one penny as part of an educational exhibit promoting legal cultivation.
From the swamp
A U.S. House subcommittee advanced a bill that would block the DOJ from rescheduling cannabis, potentially derailing federal reform efforts.
The Senate has advanced Trump’s pick for DEA Administrator, a key figure in the upcoming decision on federal marijuana rescheduling.
Written by:
LJ Dawson
