Everything You Need to Know About Weed Laws in Washington DC

Everything You Need to Know About Weed Laws in Washington DC

Marijuana legalization in the country is constantly changing, amending, and importantly decriminalizing. This is most evident in Washington DC because it’s the nation's capital. Thus cannabis laws can become tricky and confusing to understand as they must comply with federal law and limits that don’t universally apply.

This is necessary to maintain safety and security around government facilities. That said, there are essential laws that every weed consumer in DC must know to stay prepared and remain on the legal side of buying.

Here’s everything you need to know about weed laws in Washington DC.

Is Marijuana Legal In DC?

As of 2014, weed is legal for both medical and recreational use in Washington DC for adults aged 21 years or older, despite it still being unlawful under federal law. The legality of weed in DC decriminalized possession, meaning it is not a criminal offense to use, grow, transport, or consume weed under strict conditions.

The weed laws in Washington DC state that you can possess up to 2 ounces of weed at a time or share up to 1 ounce of weed with another adult aged 21 years and older. Medical cannabis patients and their caregivers are allowed up to 4 ounces of dried cannabis if prescribed in a higher dosage by the administering medical doctor. Keep in mind that although weed is legal in DC, many establishments in the district still apply their regulations individually as the US capital and must adhere to federal law.

Is Marijuana Cultivation Legal

Yes, growing marijuana in Washington DC is legal for both medical and recreational use. The law limits cannabis cultivation for personal use at home to up to six plants where a maximum of three can be a mature flowering plant at a time. This can be doubled to twelve plants with a minimum of six mature flowering cannabis plants if more than one adult aged 21 years or older resides in the same home.

The cannabis grown at home must be out of public view and remain inaccessible to youths or people under the age of 21 years old. Therefore it must be hidden away in a backyard room or enclosed in a grow house that passersby on the street can’t see. Medical cannabis patients are prohibited from growing weed for personal use.

What is Initiative 71 And Marijuana Gifting

While the laws of DC allow legal possession and use of recreational and medical cannabis, it limit legal and legitimate sales to licensed medical cannabis businesses. This means according to Initiative-71, exchanging weed from one person to another is legal but payment transacted of the action is prohibited.

Thus, weed stores in DC have taken advantage of this legal loophole by operating on a gifting economy and business model. Weed buyers can purchase merchandise such as clothing and apparel, artwork, and accessories up to the same value or price as the weed products they want to buy. The weed product is then given as a gift for the purchase. The possession laws still apply here and recreational weed dispensaries comply with them. They only sell a maximum of 1 ounce of cannabis limit per day to adults aged 21 years or older.

Prohibited Locations For Consumption

Although weed possession is decriminalized and legal to use, it’s still unlawful under federal law. Since DC is the state capital, many places prohibit use, selling, and possession at all times.

Therefore according to the law weed buyers can’t use, possess, or grow weed within 1000 feet of a daycare, school, library, or playground. Weed is also not allowed to be consumed in a car whether it’s parked or in motion. It’s also prohibited to transport or use weed on federally owned property and land such as government buildings, private workplaces, and the US Capitol. This applies to both recreational and medical cannabis use.

Legal Sales

DC allows legitimate sales of marijuana to licensed weed dispensaries, which is otherwise unlawful for anyone else to sell. The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration regulates licensed medical cannabis businesses. To buy cannabis legally in DC, individuals must be part of the DC medical cannabis program and be a qualified patient.

Then a marijuana card must be presented to the dispensary to complete the buying process for patients or caregivers aged 18 years or older. Furthermore, the Safe Cannabis Sales Act of 2019 further regulates cannabis sales of a weed dispensary in Washington DC. It includes daily purchase limits such as 5 grams of weed concentrate per day, 1 ounce of cannabis flower, 16 ounces of edibles infused with flower, and 72 ounces of liquid or beverage-based weed. It also legalizes people to buy weed online and have it sent to their residential address.

Transporting Weed

Transporting weed in DC is legal so long as the amount isn’t more than 1 ounce at a time. This means a weed dispensary in DC can deliver weed to fulfill customer orders with a limited amount. These goods must be in sealed packages or labeled containers.

At the same time, weed consumers can transport weed from a car to home after visiting a dispensary in Washington DC provided that it’s not consumed in the car, operating any vehicle, or while driving. Furthermore, it is illegal to transport weed outside of the district or state lines even if the destination state has legalized weed. This then also prohibits transporting weed on flights, which is prohibited.

Conclusion

Weed is legal and decriminalized in Washington DC for adults over the age of 2 and older for recreational and medical use. Weed buyers may possess up to an ounce of cannabis at a time and grow up to six cannabis plants at home away from public visibility.

While only licensed medical dispensaries are permitted to sell medical cannabis, weed stores in DC have taken advantage of a legal loophole in the I-71 bill which allows them to operate using a gifting economy model. Concerning this, it’s legal to buy weed and have it delivered to a residential address, which is the only place where it can be consumed. These are the most important laws that every weed lover must follow to enjoy and purchase weed in the nation's capital.