Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Washington, D.C.
Recreational cannabis possession and personal cultivation are legal in Washington, D.C., but retail sales remain prohibited. The District’s Initiative 71, approved by voters in 2014 and effective February 26, 2015, legalized limited personal use and home cultivation for adults aged 21 and older. Federal restrictions, however, continue to block D.C. from establishing a licensed commercial market.
Adults may legally possess up to two ounces of cannabis and grow up to six plants (no more than three mature) within their primary residence. They may also transfer up to one ounce to another adult as a noncommercial “gift.” Cannabis consumption is restricted to private property—use in public spaces, vehicles, or federally controlled areas such as the National Mall or Rock Creek Park remains illegal. Operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis is prohibited.
Medical cannabis was legalized in 2010 under the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Amendment Act and is regulated by the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA). Registered patients with qualifying conditions can obtain a physician recommendation and purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Medical patients may possess up to two ounces of flower or the equivalent in other forms, and home cultivation is allowed under the same six-plant limit as adult use.
The ABCA oversees licensing for cultivation centers, manufacturers, testing laboratories, couriers, and dispensaries. All medical cannabis products must meet strict testing, labeling, and packaging standards. Dispensaries are limited to serving registered patients and caregivers, though non-resident patients with valid medical cards are recognized under D.C.’s reciprocity program.
Hemp-derived products are legal under federal and District law, provided they contain no more than 0.3% THC. Hemp CBD is widely available, but intoxicating hemp derivatives such as delta-8 THC fall under the District’s cannabis regulations when sold for human consumption.
For cannabis operators, Washington, D.C.’s regulated market is currently limited to medical sales, with opportunities in cultivation, manufacturing, and retail dispensaries licensed under ABCA. Because the District cannot authorize commercial recreational sales, unlicensed “gifting” storefronts operate in a legal gray area and face increasing enforcement. Licensed businesses must comply with ABCA regulations, testing requirements, and local tax obligations. Financial institutions serving D.C. operators require full documentation of licensing, ownership, and financial records, along with AML/BSA compliance and cash-handling controls.
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) regulates the District’s cannabis industry and issues all business and patient licenses. For official licensing resources, compliance requirements, and program updates, visit: https://abca.dc.gov/page/medical-cannabis-laws#gsc.tab=0.
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