Cannabis Dispensaries in Washington, DC

Despite being the location of the federal government, Washington, DC weed regulations directly contradict the federal law. As a result, DC has become a destination not just for politics, history, and culture but for cannabis tourism. However, DC cannabis laws aren’t as straightforward as those in other states. Here’s what residents and visitors need to know about buying and using legal weed in the nation’s capital.

Cannabis Laws to Know in Washington, DC

Cannabis is legal medically and recreationally in Washington, DC. In both cases, DC voters were among the first in the nation to enact cannabis legalization, and in both cases, the U.S. Congress took steps to delay or prevent cannabis access in the capital. The first DC dispensary did not open until 2010, despite the district permitting medical cannabis since 1998.

Recreational and Adult-Use Cannabis

DC voters passed Initiative 71 in 2014, and gained access to legal recreational cannabis consumption in 2015. DC permits adults aged 21 years and older to possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis and grow up to six cannabis plants at home, only three of which can be mature at one time. There’s a catch: the sale and purchase of cannabis remains illegal in DC. As a result, no DC dispensary can sell to recreational consumers; instead, eligible adults must either grow their own cannabis at home or procure it for free.

Medical Marijuana 

DC’s medical marijuana program is managed by the DC government’s Health Department. Patients are eligible for program participation if they are diagnosed with a qualifying condition and receive a recommendation for cannabis treatment from a physician. Adults 18 and older can apply, and minors can apply with the help of a parent or guardian.

The program does permit registered patients to purchase cannabis products from licensed dispensaries, and it also allows patients to cultivate up to six cannabis plants at home. Patients are allowed to possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis, which includes both flower and concentrates. DC does allow reciprocity with other states’ medical marijuana programs, so out-of-state cardholders can visit a DC dispensary.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Washington, DC

To gain access to a DC dispensary, patients must apply online with the Health Department. Applications require a recommendation form completed by a physician, two proofs of DC residency, a primary dispensary designation, and a $100 fee. Applications require 30 days to process, and upon approval, patients will receive their valid card in the mail.

Where Is It Legal to Consume Cannabis in Washington, DC?

Eligible adults and patients are permitted to consume cannabis only in private spaces, away from public view and with landowner permission. Of particular note in the nation’s capital is that cannabis on federal property is strictly prohibited, so there should be no possession or consumption in places like the Capitol Building, the National Mall, the Smithsonian Museums, or any of various federal offices.

How to Buy Cannabis at a DC Dispensary

Medical DC dispensaries are typically open from late morning to early evening — around 11AM to 7PM — but smoke shops or cannabis “charities” vary more widely in their hours of operation. Patients and recreational users alike should bring cash to cover their purchases.

How Much Does Cannabis Cost in DC?

At a DC dispensary, patients can expect to pay about $10 per gram of cannabis or more for specialty products like concentrates, vape cartridges, and edibles. Recreational cannabis costs are more difficult to track because technically this type of cannabis sale is illegal, but reports suggest that a gram could cost a recreational user upwards of $20.

Cannabis Taxes in DC

Washington, DC does not impose taxes on medical cannabis purchases. Because recreational sales are not permitted, they are not subject to taxation, either.