Washington D.C.
Regulatory Framework
The regulatory oversight of the cannabis industry in Washington D.C. is primarily managed by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), which houses the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABCA). The ABCA is specifically responsible for overseeing all aspects of the adult-use cannabis market [2].
Legal Status
| Market | Status | Act/Law | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult-Use | Legal | Initiative 71 [14] | 2015 |
| Medical | Legal | D.C. Code Title 7, Chapter 16B [12] | 2015 |
| Homegrow | Legal | Initiative 71 [14] | 2015 |
Track-and-Trace
Washington D.C. employs the METRC system to track medical cannabis from cultivation to distribution to patients, ensuring compliance and safety within the industry [6].
Licensing
| License Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Cultivator License | Permits the growing and cultivation of cannabis plants [15] |
| Processor License | Allows processing of cannabis plant material into products [15] |
| Testing Laboratory | Conducts analyses for quality and safety of cannabis products [15] |
| Retailer License | Permits the sale of cannabis products to adults in dispensaries [15] |
| Delivery License | Allows the delivery of cannabis products to authorized recipients [15] |
Possession Limits
| Item | Possession Limit |
|---|---|
| Dry Leaf Cannabis | 2 ounces (56.6 grams) [3] |
| Cannabis Concentrate | Equivalent possession in non-dry forms like wax or concentrate [3] |
| Cannabis Edibles | 1 ounce (28.3 grams) [3] |
Medical Cannabis
Patients in D.C. need to register in Maryland's medical Cannabis program and must hold a valid Maryland Medical Cannabis Patient ID card to purchase cannabis legally from dispensaries [17].
Additional Resources
- Wikipedia: Cannabis in Washington D.C. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_Washington_D.C.
References
- [1] Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABCA), "ABCA Official Website," available at https://abca.dc.gov/#gsc.tab=0
- [2] Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, "DCRA Homepage," available at https://grade.dc.gov/page/department-of-consumer-and-regulatory-affairs
- [3] Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, "Marijuana Laws in D.C.," available at https://mpdc.dc.gov/marijuana
- [4] ABCA Public Meetings, "Meeting Agendas," available at https://abca.dc.gov/service/meeting-agendas#gsc.tab=0
- [5] Department of Health (DOH), "DOH Official Site," available at https://dchealth.dc.gov/
- [6] Koronapos, "METRC Review," available at https://koronapos.com/blog/metrc-review/
- [7] DOH Events, "Events Calendar," available at https://dchealth.dc.gov/events
- [8] Department of Revenue, "Tax Information on Recreational Cannabis," available at https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/
- [9] Department of Agriculture, "Consumer Protection," available at https://oag.dc.gov/consumer-protection
- [10] Secretary of State, "Business Registry and Elections," available at https://does.dc.gov/
- [11] Mayor of D.C., "I-71 Factsheet," available at https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/I-71Factsheet.pdf
- [12] D.C. Council, "D.C. Code, Title 7, Chapter 16B," available at https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/7/chapters/16B
- [13] D.C. Council Code, "Title 25, Chapter 2," available at https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/25/chapters/2
- [14] Legiscan, "Initiative 71 Text," available at https://legiscan.com/DC/text/B25-0052/id/2655827
- [15] ABCA Licensing, "Types of Cannabis Licenses," available at https://abca.dc.gov/page/licensing#gsc.tab=0
- [16] D.C. Health, "FAQ for Physicians," available at https://doh.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/publication/attachments/120430FAQPhysicians%20Final.pdf
- [17] ABCA, "Medical Cannabis Patients," available at https://abca.dc.gov/page/medical-cannabis-patients
- [18] ABCA, "Medical Cannabis Caregivers," available at https://abca.dc.gov/page/medical-cannabis-caregivers#gsc.tab=0