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 building and regulating their respective markets.

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.

Ellie Siegel, CEO of Longview, explained that the goal of hosting the summit in Philadelphia was to create a central 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.

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.

Regulators from Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey shared insights about their respective market launches, challenges, and successes. The dialogue helped states learn from one another about what worked, what didn’t, 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.

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 “midpoint” where stakeholders from across the region can collaborate and build relationships.

Philadelphia, Robbins added, is the ideal meeting ground: “New Yorkers won’t go to Baltimore, and people from Western Maryland won’t go to Trenton, but everyone will come to Philly. It’s the sixth borough.” 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.

Pennsylvania on the Verge

While Philadelphia has long decriminalized cannabis and built a robust medical market, the statewide program has 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.

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’s operators, who are ready for the adult-use transition but stuck in political limbo.

Two bipartisan adult-use bills—the Street-Laughlin and Kinkead-Major proposals—are 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.

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’s sophistication and the opportunity waiting for full legalization.

Neighboring States Weigh In

The day began with a fireside chat between Roz McCarthy, founder of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, and Bill Caruso, managing director at Archer Public Affairs and a key architect of New Jersey’s legalization framework. Their discussion set the tone for a day focused on practical problem-solving and cross-state learning.

A panel on “Legalization in Newer Markets” featured Joshua Sanderlin, head of Delaware’s cannabis program, and Courtney Davis, director of Maryland’s Office of Social Equity. Sanderlin shared updates on Delaware’s regulatory evolution, including plans for another lottery round in 2026 to support applicants who were unable to move forward in the initial phase.

Davis highlighted Maryland’s 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.

The session also spotlighted Kent Reserve, Maryland’s 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’s 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.

Collectively, these border-state conversations reflected a spirit of progress and collaboration that distinguishes the Mid-Atlantic region. As Robbins noted, “the proof is in the pudding”—real 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.

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