*By Amanda Weston* New Year's Eve is set to generate major cannabis sales, second only to the iconic marijuana holiday 420, according to the cannabis consulting company [MJ Freeway](https://mjfreeway.com/). The global cannabis technology and data company predicts total U.S. sales on New Year's Eve 2018 could reach up to $75 million, within striking distance of the $80 million generated in sales on April 20. This New Year's Eve would also rank as the highest-grossing Monday of 2018 for dispensaries. But 420 may not always reign supreme. Jessica Billingsley, the CEO of MJ Freeway, told Cheddar Thursday that New Year's Eve may soon dethrone it. "I think it's coming, absolutely," Billingsley said. "New Year's Eve is still second behind 420 now, but interestingly, Jul. 4 is actually third. So I think we're going to see the big major holidays start to contend with 420." The U.S. cannabis market ballooned in 2018 [saw strides](https://www.apnews.com/2982b3b60d84409da76dc10e3bf7886a) as state legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis continued to sweep across the county. Nationwide, 10 states and Washington, D.C., have now voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use, and 33 states have approved medical marijuana. In December, President Trump signed a version of the U.S. Farm Bill that legalizes recreational hemp ー a major step toward the legitimization of CBD. "We're seeing the cannabis industry is predicted to grow from $13 billion this year to $20 billion next year," Billingsley said. "So I think we'll see a commensurate increase in legal sales on New Year's Eve, as well. Of course some of that will depend on how many new markets, new states open for adult use in the coming year as well." For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/new-years-eve-set-to-see-major-cannabis-sales-kicking-off-2019).

Share:
More In Business
The Next Major Milestone For Bitcoin
Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise Asset Management, gives Cheddar the latest on the Securities and Exchange Commission approval of bitcoin ETFs. Hougan calls this time a 'potential major milestone for bitcoin.'
LeBron James Inks Sports Trading Card Deal With Fanatics
LeBron James has agreed to an exclusive deal with Fanatics Collectibles. James and his son, Bronny, will appear together on a unique sports trading card to herald the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s new multiyear partnership with Fanatics.
How A.I. is Impacting the Stock Market
Joe Zhao, Managing Partner at Millennia Capital, joined Cheddar to discuss the latest stock moves and how the market is being impacted by artificial intelligence.
New Guidelines for Gig Workers: Are You Impacted?
The Biden administration has enacted a new labor rule that aims to prevent the misclassification of workers as independent contractors. The labor department rule going into effect Tuesday replaces a scrapped Trump-era standard that lowered the bar for classifying employees as contractors
Load More