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At Cannabis Law Group, we’re thrilled to guide entrepreneurs through the evolving landscape of the U.S. cannabis industry. In 2025, one of the most significant developments is the federal reclassification of cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), marking a monumental shift in American drug policy. This change, finalized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in January 2025, acknowledges cannabis’s medical benefits and lower abuse potential, opening new opportunities for businesses, researchers, and patients. This blog explores the reclassification’s implications, timeline, and how it impacts your cannabis business. Ready to navigate this transformative moment? Call us at (949) 375-4734 for expert legal consultation on licensing, business plan development, and incorporation services. Visit our website or explore our blog for more insights.
The Journey to Reclassification
Cannabis was classified as a Schedule I substance since the CSA’s enactment in 1970, placing it alongside drugs like heroin and LSD, deemed to have no accepted medical use and high abuse potential. This designation created significant barriers for research, banking, and taxation for state-legal cannabis businesses. The push for reclassification gained momentum in October 2022, when President Biden directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Attorney General to review cannabis’s scheduling.

At Cannabis Law Group, we’re dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed in the dynamic cannabis industry across the United States. Washington, D.C., with its unique regulatory landscape and expanding medical cannabis program, offers exciting opportunities for cannabis businesses in 2025. While recreational retail sales remain prohibited, the District’s medical cannabis market is thriving, with potential new licensing rounds anticipated in late 2025. This blog provides a comprehensive guide to launching a cannabis business in Washington, D.C., covering licensing requirements, available license types, application processes, zoning regulations, and associated fees. Ready to enter D.C.’s growing cannabis market? Call us at (949) 375-4734 for expert legal consultation on cannabis licensing, business plan development, and incorporation services. Visit our website or explore our blog for more insights.
Why Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, is a progressive market for cannabis, with medical cannabis legalized in 2010 and recreational possession and cultivation permitted since 2014 under Initiative 71. The Medical Cannabis Amendment Act of 2022, effective March 2023, overhauled the District’s medical cannabis program, removing license caps, enhancing social equity, and expanding patient access through self-certification. With medical cannabis sales reaching $38 million in 2024 and projections of $173 million by 2025, D.C. is a lucrative market despite the absence of recreational retail. The city’s enforcement against unlicensed “gifting” shops and focus on regulated medical cannabis create a stable environment for licensed operators.

At Cannabis Law Group, we’re committed to helping entrepreneurs thrive in the expanding cannabis industry across the United States. St. Paul, Minnesota, is emerging as a key market for cannabis businesses, with the state’s general licensing phase expected to roll out in early 2025, potentially extending into Q3 (July–September). This blog provides a comprehensive guide to launching a cannabis business in St. Paul, covering licensing requirements, available license types, application processes, zoning regulations, and associated fees. Ready to join Minnesota’s booming cannabis market? Call us at (949) 375-4734 for expert legal consultation on cannabis licensing, business plan development, and incorporation services. Visit our website or explore our blog for more insights.
Why St. Paul, Minnesota?
St. Paul, the capital of Minnesota and a vibrant hub in the Twin Cities, is poised to become a cornerstone of the state’s recreational cannabis industry, legalized in May 2023 under the Minnesota Cannabis Law (HF 100). With recreational sales projected to begin in Q1 2025 and a market expected to rival Colorado’s $2 billion industry, St. Paul offers a dynamic opportunity for cannabis entrepreneurs. The city’s progressive approach, including social equity priorities and municipal interest in cannabis retail, makes it an ideal location for new businesses aiming to capitalize on a diverse and growing consumer base.

At Cannabis Law Group, we’re dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs to succeed in the fast-growing cannabis industry across the United States. Boston, Massachusetts, is a premier destination for cannabis businesses, with a robust market and ongoing opportunities to secure licenses in 2025. This blog offers a comprehensive guide to launching a cannabis business in Boston, detailing licensing requirements, available license types, application processes, zoning regulations, and associated fees. Ready to tap into Boston’s thriving cannabis scene? Call us at (949) 375-4734 for expert legal consultation on cannabis licensing, business plan development, and incorporation services. Visit our website or explore our blog for more insights.
Why Boston, Massachusetts?
Boston, the economic and cultural hub of Massachusetts, is a cornerstone of the state’s cannabis industry, which generated over $1.8 billion in sales in 2024. Since recreational cannabis was legalized in 2016 via Question 4, Boston has become a magnet for cannabis entrepreneurs, offering a diverse consumer base and a supportive regulatory framework. The city’s Equity Program prioritizes applicants from communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis laws, making Boston an ideal market for social equity-focused businesses. With applications for Marijuana Establishments accepted on a rolling basis, 2025 presents a prime opportunity to enter this competitive market.

At Cannabis Law Group, we’re passionate about helping entrepreneurs break into the thriving cannabis industry across the United States. Kansas City, Missouri, is a vibrant market set to offer exciting opportunities for cannabis businesses in 2025, with the state’s third round of microbusiness licenses expected to open in Q3/Q4 (July–December). This blog provides a comprehensive guide to starting a cannabis business in Kansas City, detailing licensing requirements, available license types, application windows, caps, zoning regulations, and fees. Ready to tap into Missouri’s billion-dollar cannabis market? Call us at (949) 375-4734 for expert legal consultation on cannabis licensing, business plan development, and incorporation services. Visit our website or explore our blog for more insights.
Why Kansas City, Missouri?
Kansas City, a major metropolitan hub in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District, is at the heart of the state’s booming cannabis industry, which surpassed $1.4 billion in sales in 2024. Since legalizing recreational cannabis in 2022 via Amendment 3, Missouri has seen robust demand, with Kansas City hosting numerous dispensaries and attracting entrepreneurs due to its professional sports scene and proximity to neighboring states. The city’s microbusiness program, designed to empower small and underrepresented businesses, makes Kansas City an ideal location for new entrants aiming to capitalize on a market projected to approach $2 billion in 2025.

At Cannabis Law Group, we are dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs through the dynamic cannabis industry nationwide. Providence, Rhode Island, is set to become a hotspot for cannabis businesses in 2025, with the state opening applications for adult-use dispensary licenses in Q3 (July–September). This blog offers a detailed guide to launching a cannabis business in Providence, covering licensing requirements, available license types, application windows, caps, zoning regulations, and fees. Ready to enter this thriving market? Call us at (949) 375-4734 for expert legal consultation on cannabis licensing, business plan development, and incorporation services. Visit our website or check our blog for more insights.
Why Providence, Rhode Island?
Providence, Rhode Island’s capital, is a bustling market with surging demand for recreational cannabis, legalized via the Rhode Island Cannabis Act in May 2022. With projected cannabis sales of $167 million in 2025, Providence is a prime destination for new dispensaries. The city’s progressive zoning ordinance, enacted in September 2024, broadens retail opportunities, positioning Providence as a key player in Zone 2 of Rhode Island’s six geographic zones, with a strong emphasis on equity-driven policies.

At Cannabis Law Group, we are committed to helping entrepreneurs seize opportunities in the rapidly growing cannabis industry across the United States. As states and cities open new markets for cannabis businesses, the next three to six months (August to November 2025) present a critical window for securing licenses in emerging regions. This blog highlights key cities outside California that are expected to accept cannabis business license applications during this period, offering insights to help you prepare. Ready to launch your cannabis venture? Call us at (949) 375-4734 for expert legal consultation on licensing, business plan development, and incorporation services. Visit our website or explore our blog for more resources.
Cities and Regions Accepting Cannabis Business License Applications (August to November 2025)
  1. Providence, Rhode Island (and other municipalities)

In California, commercial cannabis activities require both a state license from the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and a local license or permit from the city or county where the business operates. Local jurisdictions have significant authority to regulate or prohibit cannabis businesses, resulting in a patchwork of policies across the state. Below is an overview of cities and counties currently offering cannabis licenses, the types of licenses available, and jurisdictions considering offering licenses in the coming months, based on available information and trends up to May 2025.  Call Attorney Damian Nassiri at Cannabis Law Group today to discuss your licensing options.  949-375-4734
Cities and Counties Currently Offering Cannabis Licenses
The following is a compilation of cities and counties known to offer cannabis licenses, along with the types of licenses available, based on recent data and regulatory updates. Note that specific license availability may depend on application windows, zoning restrictions, and local ordinances, which can change frequently. Always verify with local jurisdictions and the DCC for the most current information.

A Deep Dive into the Proposed Psilocybin Initiative in California

The legal landscape surrounding psychedelic substances is rapidly evolving, and one of the most notable developments is the proposed statutory initiative related to psilocybin in California. In this article, Mushroom lawyer, Damian Nassiri article delves into the key provisions of this initiative and what it means for residents and businesses in the state.

What’s on the Table? The proposed measure introduces several significant changes to the state law concerning psilocybin:

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