In recent years, states and cities at the forefront of the ivory trade in the United States, like New York and California, have imposed bans and regulations on the trade, in addition to Federal regulations. As states crack down on the ivory trade, the markets are moving to more “friendly” locales. Consequently, because “Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland have no ivory trade regulations beyond those imposed by the federal government,” the Washington, D.C. area is emerging as a new ivory trade hub.
Link: National Geographic