Continued dramatic growth is expected for the legal cannabis industry in 2019.
As of January 1, now 33 states plus the District of Columbia (D.C.) have legalized cannabis for medicinal use, with 10 states and D.C. permitting adult use.
Medical-use sales are slated to begin in four states (Arkansas, Louisiana, North Dakota, and Ohio).
Per the November 2018 midterm elections, plans proceed for medical-use sales starting by early 2020 in Missouri and Utah, along with adult-use sales in Michigan.
U.S. sales of medical- and adult-use cannabis in 2019 are expected to reach $5.9 billion and $7.0 billion, respectively, up 28% (from $4.6 billion) and 21% (from $5.8 billion) from 2018.
In 2019, the total number of registered U.S. medical cannabis patients is projected to reach 2.4 million, up 26% from 1.9 million patients in 2018.
