Category: Washington, D.C.

The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board has proposed new rules clarifying what medical cannabis retailers can sell, banning alcohol, tobacco, and non-cannabis vape products while allowing limited sales of branded merchandise and non-infused food and drinks to adults. The proposal also restricts minors from entering dispensaries unless accompanied by a guardian and seeks to…

In September, D.C.’s medical cannabis program saw total sales of $7.8 million, a slight 5% decline from August, continuing a typical seasonal slowdown. While dispensary sales and overall patients served dipped, manufacturing sales nearly quadrupled year-over-year, and concentrate and infused products saw strong growth.

D.C.’s cannabis market is booming — maybe too fast. With more dispensaries per capita than Maryland or Pennsylvania, sales per store are slipping and prices stay high. More shops don’t always mean a stronger market.

The District of Columbia files a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from the Alliance for Recreational Cannabis Entities, arguing the group lacks legal standing and its claims challenging D.C.’s cannabis regulations on constitutional grounds—including the Dormant Commerce Clause and Fifth Amendment—are without merit.

The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board has suspended Chocolate City Wellness for 30 days after undercover investigators found the retailer sold untested, non-medical cannabis in violation of District law.

D.C.’s medical cannabis sales dropped to $8.2 million in August, down from May’s record but still up 82% year-over-year. While vape and concentrate sales surged, cultivation and manufacturing revenues declined, signaling early signs of market cooling amid new federal oversight.

The D.C. Council unanimously passed a bill from Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie extending conditional medical cannabis licenses by one year, giving operators more time to open amid real estate and financing delays.

The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) closed four unlicensed cannabis retailers across Washington, D.C. in late September as part of the city’s ongoing enforcement against illegal cannabis sales.

Apple Dream Shop Columbia, an unlicensed cannabis business reached a settlement with the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board over unlawful sales. The business acknowledged violations and agreed to pay a $10,000 fine within 60 days, resolving the case without further litigation.

Investigators purchased psilocybin twice from the Temple of Golden Teacher before executing a search warrant that uncovered more than 5,800 grams of products, cash, and retail-style equipment. The church argued its sales were protected under religious freedom and Initiative 81, but the Board rejected both claims, finding the operation was commercial in nature and lacked…

ABCA and MPD closed four D.C. cannabis businesses in September, including licensed retailer Chocolate City Wellness, for selling untested or illegal products. Officials seized thousands of grams of THC concentrates, edibles, vapes, and several pounds of cannabis, along with cash, and made three arrests. The closures are part of ongoing enforcement under a 2024 emergency…

Chairman Phil Mendelso introduced legislation to extend conditional medical cannabis licenses in D.C. from two to three years, giving cultivators, retailers, and other operators more time to secure locations and funding amid real estate challenges and a crowded market.