{"id":10914,"date":"2025-11-14T16:44:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T16:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabisindustryjournal.com\/?post_type=news_article&amp;p=37929"},"modified":"2025-11-14T16:44:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T16:44:04","slug":"mid-atlantic-states-gather-for-the-accelerate-cannabis-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/mid-atlantic-states-gather-for-the-accelerate-cannabis-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"Mid Atlantic States Gather For The Accelerate Cannabis\u00a0Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/mid-atlantic-states-gather-for-the-accelerate-cannabis-summit\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There was no more fitting venue for a cannabis industry gathering than the Museum of the American Revolution in<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-37931 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabisindustryjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CopyofCopyoflongview_1281-200x133.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" \/> Philadelphia. The historic setting served as the backdrop for the Accelerate Cannabis Summit, a groundbreaking event that brought together cannabis leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials from across the Mid-Atlantic to share insights and lessons learned from building and regulating their respective markets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hosted by Philadelphia-based consulting firm Longview Strategic, the summit marked a turning point for the East Coast cannabis industry, which has long looked to more established states, such as Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington, for guidance and direction. For the first time, neighboring states with shared cultural similarities, such as Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, came together to collaborate, compare approaches, and strengthen the regional ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ellie Siegel, CEO of Longview, explained that the goal of hosting the summit in Philadelphia was to create a central<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-37932 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabisindustryjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CopyofCopyoflongview_547-200x133.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" \/> meeting point for Mid-Atlantic states to exchange ideas about their cannabis programs. For Pennsylvania in particular, which is inching toward a regulated adult-use market, the event offered lawmakers a valuable opportunity to learn from nearby states.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Unlike the West Coast, the East Coast faces a different set of cultural and economic challenges. Densely populated states with diverse urban and rural regions face complex regulatory, real estate, and equity issues that are unique to this side of the country. The summit serves as a catalyst for the East Coast to create its own playbook that reflects its communities, rather than comparing them to California or Colorado.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Regulators from Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey shared insights about their respective market launches,<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-37933 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabisindustryjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CopyofCopyoflongview_607-200x133.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" \/> challenges, and successes. The dialogue helped states learn from one another about what worked, what didn\u2019t, and how to ensure more stable, efficient rollouts. Siegel emphasized that bringing regulators and operators together in one room helped initiate connections that will support future cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jacob Robbins of Longview Strategic explained that advocacy groups based in Harrisburg, such as the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition (PCC) and others, are doing the critical work of lobbying and outreach. Accelerate Cannabis, by contrast, fills a different gap by creating a \u201cmidpoint\u201d where stakeholders from across the region can collaborate and build relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Philadelphia, Robbins added, is the ideal meeting ground: \u201cNew Yorkers won\u2019t go to Baltimore, and people from Western Maryland won\u2019t go to Trenton, but everyone will come to Philly. It\u2019s the sixth borough.\u201d That centrality allows the event to attract a diverse mix of attendees and inspires the kinds of intimate, cross-state connections that ultimately drive the industry forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pennsylvania on the Verge<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While Philadelphia has long decriminalized cannabis and built a robust medical market, the statewide program has<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-37934 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabisindustryjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CopyofCopyoflongview_632-200x133.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" \/> plateaued. Medical dispensaries are plentiful, but patient numbers have declined as consumers cross state lines for adult-use access in neighboring markets. Many operators invested early in high-value retail locations designed to convert easily to adult use, but the wait has become financially straining.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Competition is fierce: the underground market remains active, and intoxicating hemp products have added a disruptive twist. Shops selling hemp-derived THC products, often at half the price of regulated medical cannabis, are cutting into sales and eroding the patient base. This dynamic has created pent-up energy among Pennsylvania\u2019s operators, who are ready for the adult-use transition but stuck in political limbo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Two bipartisan adult-use bills\u2014the Street-Laughlin and Kinkead-Major proposals\u2014are currently vying for support. Both proposals reflect the growing momentum in Pennsylvania to legalize adult-use cannabis with frameworks that emphasize equity, public health, and economic benefits. They also illustrate bipartisan support with detailed regulatory and social justice components. Both would create a new cannabis commission, transferring oversight from the Department of Health to an independent agency. Despite strong backing from Governor Josh Shapiro, partisan gridlock in the Republican-controlled legislature has stalled progress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Still, momentum is building. Advocates believe that political fatigue and public demand will force movement by 2026. Until then, industry leaders continue to work toward destigmatization, hosting professional events, and fostering dialogue that highlights both the market\u2019s sophistication and the<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">opportunity waiting for<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">full legalization.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Neighboring States Weigh In<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The day began with a fireside chat between Roz McCarthy, founder of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, and Bill<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-37935 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabisindustryjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CopyofCopyoflongview_155-200x140.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"140\" \/> Caruso, managing director at Archer Public Affairs and a key architect of New Jersey\u2019s legalization framework. Their discussion set the tone for a day focused on practical problem-solving and cross-state learning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A panel on \u201cLegalization in Newer Markets\u201d featured Joshua Sanderlin, head of Delaware\u2019s cannabis program, and Courtney Davis, director of Maryland\u2019s Office of Social Equity. Sanderlin shared updates on Delaware\u2019s regulatory evolution, including plans for another lottery round in 2026 to support applicants who were unable to move forward in the initial phase.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Davis highlighted Maryland\u2019s proactive approach to supporting its social equity licensees through technical assistance, financial education, and direct introductions to banks and consultants. Her office is also developing an incubator space to help guide new entrepreneurs in the business planning and execution process that often hinders startups in the cannabis sector.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The session also spotlighted Kent Reserve, Maryland\u2019s first social equity licensee to open its doors, and how the industry can support and stand up for those who suffered under the war on drugs. Maryland\u2019s requirement for GMP-certified facilities, uncommon in other states, was noted as a forward-thinking step that positions the state for future national or international trade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Collectively, these border-state conversations reflected a spirit of progress and collaboration that distinguishes the Mid-Atlantic region. As Robbins noted, \u201cthe proof is in the pudding\u201d\u2014real change happens when regulators, advocates, and business leaders come together to learn from one another and build a more harmonized cannabis industry from the ground up.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled\">\n<div class=\"robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-icon-text sd-sharing\">\n<h3 class=\"sd-title\">Share this:<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There was no more fitting venue for a cannabis industry gathering than the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. The historic setting served as the backdrop for the Accelerate Cannabis Summit, a groundbreaking event that brought together cannabis leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials from across the Mid-Atlantic to share insights and lessons learned from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10845,5062,9,10846,8504,1,3,9543,10847,61,1736],"tags":[10848,5063,10849,8530,9557,10850],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10914"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10914"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10914\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}