An unlicensed cannabis shop in D.C. was padlocked for a second time in the same location after allegedly continuing to offer unlicensed cannabis.
Kaliiva made headlines a year ago after being one of the first few shops to be raided despite committing to transition to the legal market. Unlicensed shops were given safe harbor from enforcement while going through the transition process. But Kaliiva still ended up being raided.
The March 2024 raid resulted in six arrests, though only five people ended up pleading guilty to reduced charges – the other never faced charges. All five who were charged accepted deals that were completed without serving time behind bars.
However, the business did not stop after last spring. The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), alongside the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), once again shut down the retailer in the winter of 2024 after finding that it was still selling unlicensed cannabis products this time after being awarded a medical cannabis retail license.
Its medical license was revoked over two months later. The business allegedly continued to operate even after the November padlocking which lead to it being shutdown a third time last week.
The ABC Board issued the closure order, citing a “credible and imminent danger to public health and safety.” Authorities padlocked the premises to prevent further illegal activity. A search warrant executed by MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division led to the seizure of over 15.5 pounds of cannabis, 41 grams of THC resin and nearly 400 grams of THC vape karts.
Kaliiva’s owners have the right to request a hearing before the ABC Board. Reopening the property will require the owners to submit a remediation plan detailing how they will prevent future illegal cannabis sales. They could also face a $10,000 fine which has still not been charged despite multiple infractions on the same property.
