Rockville, MD — Upling is a Black-owned, delivery-focused cannabis app. This week, the company announced it has completed more than 185,000 cannabis deliveries across the DMV region (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) since its launch. The milestone underscores Upling's mission to drive innovation in cannabis logistics and create economic opportunities in underserved communities.
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.
"From the start, Upling was built with community in mind," said Colin Fraser, CEO of Upling, which employs dozens of formerly incarcerated individuals. "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." According to Fraser, about 70% of the drivers he hires are formerly incarcerated or justice-impacted individuals.
Upling generates a monthly revenue of $107,000 across active markets, experiencing year-over-year growth of some 52%. The company has an average delivery time of 35 minutes and has a repeat customer rate of 61% in Maryland and 58% in D.C.
The Upling app.Upling
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, such as Montgomery, Anne Arundel, and Prince George's, where limited dispensary access makes delivery essential.
In D.C., 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%).
Upling recently received a $150,000 Pre-Seed Builder Fund investment from TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies. The investment, under TEDCO's Social Impact Funds, is supporting the development of tools to make transactions safer and more transparent.
"Achieving [more than 185,000 cannabis deliveries] 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," Fraser added.
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 is poised for growth. In Maryland, the company anticipates transitioning to an adult-use delivery license, unlocking significant growth potential. In Washington, D.C., demand is projected to increase as a result of an anticipated tourism rebound. Finally, the company hopes to expand into the Virginia and Pennsylvania markets with its app-based logistics model.
