First Black-owned delivery app shares 2026 market outlook
ROCKVILLE, MD— Upling, the Black-owned, delivery-focused cannabis app, today announced it has completed more than 185,000 cannabis deliveries across the DMV region, while employing dozens of returning citizens since its launch. The milestone underscores Upling’s mission to drive both innovation in cannabis logistics and economic opportunity in underserved communities.
“From the start, Upling was built with community in mind,” said Colin Fraser, CEO of Upling. “Our team has worked to create a safe, reliable platform that not only transforms cannabis delivery but also provides meaningful employment opportunities for people reentering society. Achieving this goes beyond a data point, it reflects both the demand for secure medicinal cannabis and precision medicine, as well as the power of second-chance hiring.”
Upling simplifies cannabis ordering, tracking, and compliance for patients and recreational users in Washington, D.C., and Maryland by connecting them directly to local dispensaries. The company’s rapid growth highlights the strength of its model and the importance of building trust in an evolving market.
Performance Highlights
- Total Deliveries to Date: Over 185,000
- Monthly Revenue: $107,000 across active markets
- Year-over-Year Growth: +52%
- Repeat Customer Rate: 61% (Maryland), 58% (DC)
- Average Delivery Time: 35 minutes
- Workforce Impact: 70% of drivers hired are formerly incarcerated or justice-impacted individuals
In Maryland, Upling generates approximately $48,000 in monthly sales, with an average cart size of $280 and around 57 orders per day. The market is anchored by medical patients (38%), followed by veterans and seniors (26%), and young professionals (22%). Demand is strongest in suburban counties like Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s, where limited dispensary access makes delivery essential. Upling’s workforce model also supports returning citizens, creating meaningful community impact.
In Washington, DC, monthly sales reach $37,000, with an average cart size of $210 and 59 daily orders. The consumer base is led by adult-use buyers (42%), wellness users (29%), and working professionals (21%).
To further support its innovation pipeline, Upling recently received a $150,000 Pre-Seed Builder Fund investment from TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies. This investment, under TEDCO’s Social Impact Funds, is helping fuel Upling’s development of tools to make transactions safer and more transparent.
As part of its growth strategy, Upling also announced plans to officially launch Bud-E, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered cannabis genetics tool designed to help patients identify strains best suited to their health needs. Currently in beta testing, Bud-E leverages patient-reported outcomes, medical history, and optional genetic information to deliver personalized, science-backed recommendations. A patent for Bud-E was recently announced by Foley & Lardner, with a full launch planned for October.
Upling also announced its 2026 market outlook, including:
- Maryland: Expansion expected with potential conversion of delivery licenses from medical-only to adult-use, unlocking significant growth potential
- Washington, DC: Demand projected to increase with an expected tourism rebound and policy clarity
- New Markets (2026+): Virginia, Pennsylvania, and East Coast hubs targeted for expansion, leveraging Upling’s app-based logistics model
About Upling
Upling LLC is the first Black-owned delivery-focused cannabis app created to simplify ordering, tracking, and compliance. Serving patients and recreational users in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, Upling connects users directly to local dispensaries, making the cannabis purchasing experience faster and more convenient. Upling was founded by Colin Fraser, an entrepreneur and advocate for economic equity and second-chance pathways. Fraser serves on several regional cannabis and workforce advisory boards, was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to the Maryland Police Training and Standards Committee, and was a 2024 Baltimore Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. Upling recently took second place at the Market Pulse pitch competition.
