Marijuana Dispensaries in Washington DC

Washington D.C.
Marijuana Dispensaries in Washington DC

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Are there Marijuana Dispensaries in Washington, DC?

No. There are no approved recreational marijuana dispensaries in Washington, as the sale of adult-use cannabis in the District of Columbia is considered illegal.

Are there Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Washington, DC?

Yes. Washington permits medical marijuana dispensaries to operate within its jurisdiction according to Section 7–1671.05 of the DC Code. Medical marijuana was legalized in DC in 1998 under the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative (Initiative 59). Medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington, DC, are listed on the approved dispensing facilities page of the ABRA website.

Can You Buy Cannabis from Online Weed Dispensaries in Washington, DC?

Some Washington medical marijuana dispensaries permit buyers to order medical cannabis online. You cannot order adult-use cannabis as recreational cannabis sales are illegal in the DC.

Visiting a Dispensary in Washington DC

In Washington, there are no legal recreational weed dispensaries. However, you may visit approved medical marijuana dispensaries in the district. While visiting a medical marijuana dispensary, ensure you hold a medical marijuana card and cash to complete your medical marijuana purchases. You may also experience long lines at some of the dispensaries in the district, as some of these facilities only permit a few people to go in at once.

Washington DC Dispensary Laws

Adult-use cannabis dispensaries are illegal in Washington, DC; hence, there are currently no laws pertaining to adult-use cannabis dispensaries. However, according to Section 7–1671.06 of the DC Code, medical marijuana dispensaries are bound by these laws:

No medical marijuana dispensary may be located within 300 feet of a preschool, primary school, secondary school, or recreation center
A dispensary may not be located in a residential district
No marijuana or paraphernalia at a medical marijuana dispensary may be visible from any public or other property
A dispensary may not be collocated with any other type of business
No medical marijuana dispensary may dispense or possess more than the quantity of medical marijuana required to support the number of qualifying patients or caregivers registered to receive medical marijuana at the dispensary
A medical marijuana dispensary may not dispense more than 2 ounces of medical marijuana in a 30-day period to a qualifying patient, either directly or through the caregiver of the patient
Medical marijuana dispensaries must verify visitors' IDs before selling them medical cannabis products

Recreational Laws in Washington DC

In Washington DC, pursuant to the district’s recreational laws, it is legal for residents aged 21 or older to:

Possess up to two ounces of marijuana
Transferring up to one ounce of marijuana to an individual aged 21 or older as long as there is no payment involved or any other type of exchange of any item or service
Cultivate up to six marijuana plants in their residences. However, no more than three of the cultivated plants may be mature
Possess marijuana paraphernalia associated with up to one ounce of marijuana
Consume marijuana within the possession limits on private properties
Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis is illegal
Possession of cannabis on federal lands, such as the National Mall, the Rock Creek Park, and areas around federal buildings, is illegal

Although DC has decriminalized possession of up to two ounces of cannabis for adults over the age of 21, federal law still prohibits the possession or use of marijuana in any quantity. Consequently, federal law enforcement agents have the authority to arrest anybody in the District of Columbia who possesses or uses marijuana in violation of federal law.

Medical Cannabis Laws in Washington DC

DC voters approved Initiative 59 in 1998 to legalize medical marijuana in the district. In 2010, the DC Council passed an amendment act clarifying the provisions of Initiative 59 and establishing regulations for dispensaries. The 2010 act also set possession limits for medical patients at two ounces. Currently, medical marijuana patients in DC can purchase up to 8 ounces of marijuana in a 30-day period but up to 2 ounces at a time. Per another amendment act in 2014, eligibility for a medical marijuana card under the DC medical marijuana program was expanded to include any condition a patient's physician determines medical marijuana would be beneficial. Licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington, DC, are permitted to sell seeds, flowers, edibles, concentrates, transdermal products, and seedlings.

Initiative 71, enacted in 2015, permits patients in the district to cultivate up to six marijuana plants, three of which may be mature. Another amendment act in 2015, which only went into effect in 2017, permits patients from other jurisdictions with medical marijuana programs to purchase medical cannabis from DC dispensaries using their medical marijuana cards.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Washington, DC

To obtain a medical marijuana card in Washington, DC, you must complete registration as a medical marijuana patient in the district. To register as a patient, you must be a DC resident and provide the following:

One face photo (2" x 2")
One copy of your DC DMV REAL ID or one proof of DC residency and one copy of a government-issued photo ID
Your Social Security Number or a copy of an affidavit stating lack of one
A healthcare practitioner recommendation for medical marijuana. The recommendation must be dated within two years of the application submission date. Alternatively, you may self-certify by attesting that you will use cannabis for medical purposes only and purchase cannabis from one of the licensed dispensaries in the district

Applications may be submitted:

In-person: In-person submissions are available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at ABRA's office. The office is at 2000 14th Street NW, Suite 102A, Washington, DC. Applicants are advised to submit their applications online prior to visiting the office to expedite the processing
Online: Complete the Adult Patient Application online
By Mail: Mail the completed application and the supporting documentation to:

ABRA

2000 14th Street NW

Suite 102A (First Floor)

Washington, DC 20009

Registrations are free until December 8, 2022. However, the ABRA charges a $100 application fee for regular-income patients and $25 for qualified low-income patients. ABRA does not accept cash or personal checks. You may complete the application fee payment using a certified check, money order, or cashier's check payable to DC Treasurer. For more information on obtaining medical marijuana cards for adults and minors in the district, contact the DC medical marijuana program by emailing medicalcannabis@dc.gov or calling (202) 442-4423.

Where is it Legal to Consume Cannabis in Washington, DC?

You may consume medical cannabis in private residences or properties in Washington, DC. Cannabis use in public places is illegal.

How to Buy Cannabis at a Washington DC Dispensary

There are no legal ways to buy adult-use cannabis in Washington, DC, as recreational cannabis is prohibited in the district. However, you may purchase medical marijuana from approved medical marijuana dispensaries by visiting the location of the dispensaries or ordering cannabis online. To find the locations of medical marijuana dispensaries near you, put the search term “medical weed dispensaries near me” in an online search engine. Note that medical weed transactions are usually completed using cash and not credit cards.

The Average Price in Washington DC

Washington, DC, does not permit adult-use cannabis sales within its borders. However, an ounce of medical marijuana in the DC costs about $200 - $250, while a gram of high-quality medical cannabis costs between $13 and $15.

Can You Smoke in Public in Washington, DC?

No. Cannabis consumption in public is not permitted in Washington, DC. On its website, the Metropolitan Police Department clarifies that it is illegal to consume marijuana in any form, including carrying a lighted paper roll or other lighted smoking device filled with marijuana, in public spaces. Public spaces include streets, sidewalks, parks, alleys, parking areas, or any place to which the public is invited. Cannabis smoking in any vehicle where parked or moving is also illegal.

Public consumption is still considered a violation of the district code and may be penalized by a sentence of up to 60 days imprisonment and a fine of up to $500. In a legal sense, the penalties may differ since certain parts of Washington, DC, are on federal territory. In practice, public cannabis consumption will result in a fine of $25. Alternatively, offenders may go to court pursuant to DC Mayor-issued policy recommendations in 2018.

How Much Marijuana Can You Possess at Once in Washington DC?

Washington, DC, residents aged 21 or older may possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis and transfer a maximum of one ounce to another DC adult aged 21 or older if no compensation of any form is involved. They may also cultivate up to six cannabis plants at home, with up to three plants mature.

Medical marijuana patients in the district may possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants at home. If two or more adults reside in a household, no more than 12 cannabis plants may be cultivated in such a household. Of those 12 cultivated cannabis plants, no more than 6 may be mature, flowering plants. Patients and their caregivers may purchase a maximum of 8 ounces of marijuana every 30 days.

Can I Ship Cannabis in Washington, DC?

No. Shipping cannabis into Washington, DC, from another jurisdiction (even if cannabis is legal in that state or DC), is prohibited as cannabis remains illegal federally and in Washington, DC.

Can I Order Cannabis Online in Washington, DC?

You cannot order adult-use marijuana in Washington, DC. However, since the Covid-19 outbreak, a succession of emergency orders has authorized medical marijuana delivery in the District of Columbia. Only DC-registered patients and their caregivers can accept deliveries at their Washington DC addresses.

Are there 24-hour Dispensaries in Washington, DC?

Some Washington DC medical marijuana dispensaries advertise 24 hours services. Therefore, with no specific restrictions in the DC laws limiting the operation hours of medical dispensing facilities, you can find 24-hour medical marijuana dispensaries in the district. There are no recreational cannabis dispensaries in the district.

Can Tourists Use Dispensaries in Washington, DC?

Tourists cannot use recreational marijuana dispensaries in Washington DC as recreational cannabis sale is illegal in the district. Tourists with medical marijuana cards under equivalent medical marijuana programs may purchase medical marijuana in the district.

Do You Need ID for Dispensary in Washington, DC?

Currently, it is illegal to purchase recreational weed within Washington, DC, as weed dispensaries are not permitted to operate in the district. However, if you are a registered medical marijuana patient, you may purchase medical marijuana products by presenting your medical marijuana identification card.

Best Dispensaries in Washington DC

There are no approved medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington. However, some of the best medical cannabis dispensaries in the DC include:

National Holistic Healing Center
Kinfolk Dispensary
Takoma Wellness Center
Capital DC Care Dispensary

Do Dispensaries Scan your ID in Washington, DC?

There are no authorized adult-use weed dispensaries in Washington, DC. However, medical marijuana dispensaries in the DC will scan your ID when entering their premises.

How Many Dispensaries are in Washington, DC?

There are currently seven licensed medical cannabis dispensing facilities in Washington, DC. However, per Section 7–1671.06 (2)(A) of the DC Code, the DC Mayor may increase the number to 8 by rulemaking to ensure adequate access to medical marijuana in the district.

Can Dispensaries in Washington, DC Take Credit Cards?

Recreational weed dispensaries are not permitted within the borders of Washington, DC. However, for medical marijuana transactions, payments are typically accepted in cash.

How Many Dispensaries Can You Visit in One Day?

You cannot visit a recreational dispensary in Washington as adult-use cannabis sales are banned in the district. However, registered medical marijuana patients may visit several dispensaries in one day. Note that you cannot buy more than the stipulated limit.

Do Dispensaries in Washington DC Take Health Insurance?

There are no approved adult-use marijuana dispensaries in Washington, DC. Although medicinal marijuana is available for persons who qualify at approved dispensing facilities in the district, health insurance policies do not cover medical cannabis purchases.

Do Dispensaries in Washington DC Track How Much Weed You Buy?

While adult-use dispensaries do not operate in Washington, DC, medical weed dispensaries in the district are required by state law to track weed purchases made by their customers.

Can You Enter a Dispensary in Washington, DC, at Age 18?

Washington DC has no approved recreational marijuana dispensary. However, if you are 18 or older, you may visit a Washington, DC, medical cannabis dispensary.

Where Can I Find the Washington DC Cannabis Regulator’s Contact Information?

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) regulates and administers medical marijuana operations and activities in Washington, DC. You can find ABRA’s contact information on its website.

How Do I Report Illegal Cannabis Activities in Washington, DC?

You may report illegal cannabis activities in Washington, DC to the Metropolitan Police Department or the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA).