Worcester County confirms its status as the Mass. cannabis capital, paces state with $339M in sales for 2024
Photo | Eric Casey
Cannabis products on display at Wonderland Cannabis in Millbury
Worcester County led Massachusetts counties in cannabis sales in 2024, as the state’s legal marijuana industry brought in a total of more than $1.64 billion.
Worcester County saw $291.5 million in adult-use cannabis sales and $47.8 million in medical cannabis sales, leading to a total of $339.2 million, according to data available on the state agency Cannabis Control Commission’s website.
Middlesex County saw the second highest total, with $239.1 million in adult-use sales and $31.6 million in medical sales, totalling $270.7 million.
In total, the state saw $1.51 billion in adult-use sales and $188 million in medical sales in 2024. The adult-use sales is a new record, while medical sales have been on the decline.
“The cannabis industry in Massachusetts continued to mature in 2024 as the commission approved the 700th – and counting – notice to commence operations,” Bruce Stebbins, active chair of the Cannabis Control Commission, said in a Thursday press release highlighting 2024 sales figures. “The clear growth of the industry is the result of ongoing collaboration between commissioners and agency staff, business owners, host communities, an engaged consumer base, and the medical community. We’re looking ahead to continued growth in 2025 and beyond as we seek to expand the industry with new social consumption licenses.”
Overall, Worcester County has seen $1.4 billion in total cannabis sales since 2020, while Middlesex County has seen $1.1 billion. Both counties each have 86 marijuana retailers. This is the first year the CCC has made county-specific data available.
The price of the average gram of adult-use cannabis fell from $5.66 in January 2024 to $4.58 in December, a 19.1% decrease over the course of the year. This decline in price follows a mostly consistent trend since January 2020, where the average price of a gram sat at $14.68.
The state’s marrijuana retailers generated $272 million in sales taxes during fiscal 2024, according to the agency’s press release.
While the state set sales records, the increasing amount of competition in the industry combined with the falling price of cannabis has led to financial stress for some operators, with some companies facing lawsuits over unpaid bills and others shutting their doors for good.
The state’s cannabis agency has seen significant issues impacting its ability to function, as Travis Ahern, the CCC’s long-awaited new executive director, is expected to step into the role in March. The CCC is headquartered in Worcester’s Union Station.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
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