Author: LJ Dawson
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Last Prisoner Project leads bipartisan charge for cannabis reform in D.C.
The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) spearheaded a week-long advocacy effort in Washington D.C., culminating in the 420 Unity Day of Action. The initiative, the largest bi-partisan cannabis advocacy event to date according to LPP, aimed to push for federal legalization and provide relief for individuals still incarcerated for cannabis offenses. LPP coordinated lobbying efforts with…
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D.C. Enacts Medical Marijuana Patient Card Extension and Tax Holiday
The District of Columbia has implemented significant changes for medical marijuana patients, extending the validity period for registration cards and offering a temporary tax break on purchases. Signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser on April 8th, the new law streamlines the registration process for qualifying patients and caregivers. Previously, these cards expired every two years, requiring…
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Controversy over D.C. medical cannabis dispensary near school leads to first ever ABCA cannabis protest hearing
The medical cannabis dispensary applying for a license in D.C. within 300 ft of BASIS Charter School stated its case to the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration Board on Wednesday. It was the first protest hearing for a medical cannabis business in D.C.’s history. All of the half dozen established medical dispensaries and current transitioning…
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Youngkin vetoes cannabis bill citing public safety and health despite lack of research to back up claims
Gov. Youngkin vetoed a democratically passed cannabis adult-use market bill maintaining his blockage to set up the Virginia legal market. Democrats legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021, but a shift to a republican controlled government stopped any implementation. Democrats sent a bill to Gov. Youngkin’s desk a few weeks ago that would launch the market. He…
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Robbery at D.C. cannabis gifting shop in NW leaves D.C. rapper dead, suspects still at large
On Wednesday afternoon, a shooting occurred in Northwest D.C. at a I-71 gifting shop, Hotbox Uptown. According to the Metropolitan Police Department press release, two suspects brandished handguns and demanded property and money. The victims complied, but one of the suspects fired a shot striking one of the victims during the robbery. They then took…
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D.C’s first transitioning I-71 cannabis gifting stores cleared to open as legal medical dispensaries
The first medical dispensaries transitioning from unlicensed operators to the legal market were given licenses to open on Mar. 27, 2024. The three stores (Green Theory, Wishing Wellness, Don Fuego) are the first to complete the transition process from I-71 gifting stores to legal medical dispensaries. One current medical license also received a license to…
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D.C. medical cannabis market slumps as February sales hit four-year low
D.C. patient expirations outpace new registrations as medical sales continue decline The District of Columbia’s medical cannabis market is facing a period of decline, with February dispensary sales reaching their lowest point in four years. This trend comes alongside a drop in the number of patients served and an expiration of nearly 1,850 patient certifications…