In Washington, D.C., authorities have cracked down on unlicensed cannabis shops that were operating under the pretense of “gifting” marijuana. Over the past six months, a total of 25 establishments have been shut down due to their involvement in illegal sales and safety violations.
DC cannabis crackdown
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The backstory: The Office of the Attorney General teamed up with the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration and the Metropolitan Police Department to crack down on illegal businesses. These businesses were found selling cannabis products that were mixed with other drugs.
“For too long, unlicensed cannabis stores have been illegally selling unregulated, untested products that put District residents’ safety at risk,” AG Schwalb said in a press release. “All so-called ‘gifting shops’ were given ample time to apply for legal medical marijuana licenses, but many failed or refused to do so.”
Authorities have taken action against 38 businesses, permanently shutting down most of them while bringing others into compliance. As part of their investigations, officials confiscated illegal drugs, weapons, and significant amounts of cash.
An unlicensed retailer was caught selling cannabis contaminated with amphetamines and psilocybin in one instance.
During the raid, law enforcement successfully seized a significant amount of illegal substances, including 35 pounds of cannabis flower, 22 pounds of THC edibles, 6 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, 2 pounds each of cocaine and methamphetamine. Additionally, a firearm and $6,817 in cash were confiscated. Notably, ten dogs were also rescued from the premises.
In response to a law passed by the D.C. Council in 2023, the crackdown is being implemented. This law aimed to expand the medical cannabis system and create a legal pathway for illicit businesses to enter the regulated market.
Despite the availability of these opportunities, numerous unlicensed operators persisted in illegally selling cannabis, leading the District to intensify its enforcement efforts.
Illegal weed shops raided
Big picture view: Starting from July 2024, ABCA has taken action against businesses that are not in compliance by issuing cease-and-desist orders.
In September 2024, the authorities took action to close down the first store, Supreme Terpene, in accordance with the new law. Since then, several other shops in the city, such as Green Cloud Shop, Capitol Budz, and District Smoke Shop, have also been forced to shut their doors due to enforcement operations.
Several locations have reopened as non-cannabis businesses, while others have unfortunately closed permanently.
Recent closures also serve as a reminder of the ongoing risks linked to the illicit cannabis market.
In September, authorities conducted a raid on The Green Room, which became the fifth establishment to be closed down under the enforcement of the new law.
In recent weeks, the enforcement of a new law passed by the D.C. Council has led to the closure and raid of yet another illegal cannabis shop on Wednesday. This marks the fifth closure as authorities crack down on these illicit operations.
In November, another unlicensed retailer, Peace in the Air, was compelled to shut down due to its violation of a cease-and-desist order.
ABCA and MPD collaborated to close down All the Buzz DC located on Georgia Avenue NW in December due to public health concerns.
The District maintains its commitment to holding illegal operators accountable and ensuring that only licensed, regulated businesses sell cannabis products, Schwalb emphasized.
“We are demonstrating our collective commitment to ensuring that every store selling cannabis products in the District complies with the law and plays by the rules,” he said.
Which DC dispensaries have closed?
· Supreme Terpene: 1344 U Street NW
· Green Cloud Shop: 706 Kennedy Street NW
· All American Papers: 504 H Street NE
· Farmerz/Stonerz: 3236 Prospect Street NW
· The Green Room/Flight Pass: 1338 U Street NW
· In the Cut: 1460 Park Road NW
· Capitol Budz: 607 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
· Coupons R Us: 6234 Georgia Avenue NW
· Kaliiva: 1731 Columbia Road NW
· Peace in the Air: 2118 18th Street NW
· Promoco LLC: 1813 18th Street NW
· CBT LLC: 335 H Street NE
· LifeLuxee/Cannabis Karma: 825 Upshur Street NW
· All the Buzz: 3232 Georgia Avenue NW
· KAE/Green Department: 2720 Georgia Avenue NW
· Capital THC: 1123 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
· Hidden Gym, LLC: 1508 14th Street NW*
· Forest Floor: 924 5th Street NW
· Pride Smoke Shop: 1502 21st Street NW
· YouGroGurl: 337 H Street NE
· VIP Clientele: 3551 Georgia Avenue NW*
· Power Night Club: 2335 Bladensburg Road NE*
· Dreams Smoke Shop: 2335 18th Street NW*
· Nomad Smoke Shop: 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE*
· District Smoke Shop/District Cure: 2626 Georgia Avenue NW**
* Reopened as a mon-cannabis retailer
** Licensed facility remains open; unlicensed second floor unit closed
