Marijuana Sales Dip in November; 2018 Still on Track to Top 2017

With one month of 2018 left to report, Colorado marijuana sales last year are on track to surpass 2017's, according to the state Department of Revenue. But just barely.

Falling for the third straight month in November, statewide dispensary sales accounted for just under $124 million — around 4 percent less than sales in October, DOR data shows, and an approximately 8.5 percent drop from September.

Both medical and recreational transactions dipped month-over-month in November, hitting their lowest numbers since May. Recreational sales failed to bring in $100 million, nearly reaching $97.8 million, while medical sales just passed $26 million.

Even so, November's sales numbers were still about $5 million higher than the same month in 2017, according to the DOR. And despite falling sales in recent months, 2018's dispensary sales should still total slightly more than 2017's $1.5 billion.

More dispensaries and Colorado communities allowed pot sales last year than they did in 2017, but wholesale flower prices fell sharply in 2018.

December sales would need to bring in $97 million to eclipse 2017, according to DOR projections, and that number shouldn't be hard to meet. In 2017, December recreational sales alone brought in $96.3 million, while medical sales totaled over $31 million. Although medical sales won't be as high this time around, expect recreational sales to more than make up for that gap.