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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Buying Cannabis in Washington, DC

Buying Cannabis in Washington, DC

Washington DC is home to some of the top weed dispensaries in the country. There are endless stores stocked with high-quality cannabis products for weed lovers to choose from.

DC also has its own unique set of cannabis laws that make it tricky to buy if you don’t know how differently things work. Fortunately, this article will give you a breakdown of everything you need to know about buying cannabis in the district with a list of the most important facts you may have been unaware of.

Here are 10 things you didn’t know about buying cannabis in Washington DC:

1. DC Dispensaries Use A Gifting Economy Model

DC has unique marijuana laws that differ from other legalized states. Since 2014, the District of Columbia has decriminalized the possession, use, and cultivation of recreational cannabis of up to two ounces.

However, since there is no regulation on the sale and tax of marijuana, weed stores are not authorized to sell cannabis directly. Instead, cannabis dispensaries in Washington DC use a loophole in the initiative-71 legislation that allows weed to be gifted after purchasing a merchandise item from the store first. This is the gifting economy that DC weed stores operate under.

2. You Can Have Your Weed Delivered

Contrary to popular belief, weed delivery is available in DC and is not affected by the I-71 laws. Weed delivery services have taken the cannabis world by storm and the nation’s capital is no different.

Thanks to the convenience of online shopping, you can order weed by browsing a dispensary menu and have it sent to your residential address or choose the curbside pickup option. Your gifting order will arrive on the same day within a few hours depending on your location and distance from the dispensary you ordered from.

3. You Can Receive Up to Two Ounces of Cannabis

Whether buying from an online store or a DC dispensary in person, you can receive up to a maximum of two ounces of weed as a gift. This includes the amount of weed you’re legally allowed to possess at a time and the amount a DC weed dispensary can gift you.

This legal guideline can help you search for Washington DC dispensaries that comply with I-71. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to reconsider buying from any weed store that lets you buy over a limited amount.

4. No Prerequisites Needed to Purchase Medical Cannabis

The medical cannabis industry in DC has made it a seamless process to get a medical marijuana card and buy from a licensed dispensary.

While many other states have a list of qualifying conditions needed to buy medical cannabis, DC allows you to buy without any specific conditions as long as you have a medical need for it. You can also self-certify yourself to get a medical marijuana card by submitting an online application.

5. DC Cannabis Dispensaries Accept Cash Only

While possession and use of cannabis have been decriminalized in DC, marijuana itself is still unlawful under federal law. Therefore banks aren’t allowed to process payments for cannabis using debit or credit cards.

This is why cannabis dispensaries in DC only accept cash when you buy in person. ATMs are available in most DC weed stores if you need to withdraw the right funds for your cannabis purchase.

6. Buy Merch To Receive Your Cannabis Gift

As previously mentioned, you must buy merchandise from a cannabis dispensary in DC to receive your weed as a gift. Fortunately, DC weed stores have a wide variety of goods for you to choose from that will benefit your purchase.

These include apparel such as t-shirts and caps, accessories like rolling trays or grinders, and collectible items like artworks and memorabilia sports cards.

7. Tourists Can Also Buy Gifted Cannabis In DC

Whether you’re a domestic tourist or visiting from abroad, you can buy gifted cannabis from a dispensary in DC. Buying works the same way as it does for DC residents where you have to buy a merch product and then receive your weed as a gift.

You will also need to show your ID to verify your age is 21 and above before buying. If you’re an international tourist, check beforehand with your chosen DC dispensary whether they accept passports as proof of ID.

8. DC Dispensaries Offer First Time Buyer Discounts

While most dispensaries in the country run rewards programs where each purchase earns you points, most dispensaries in Washington DC offer discounts for first-time customers.

These deals include a percentage off your first purchase or a buy one get one free deal. Some recreational weed stores in DC also offer a different free cannabis product deal that compliments your purchase such as free pre-roll when you receive flower as a gift.

9. Non-DC Residents Can Buy Medical Cannabis

If you’re part of a medical marijuana program in another state and visiting DC, you can use your out-of-state card to buy medical cannabis at a licensed dispensary.

Just make sure to check the list of reciprocating states beforehand to make sure your home state permits you to buy medical cannabis from a dispensary in DC. The list of partner states can be found on the DC’s Alcoholics, Beverage, and Cannabis Administration or ABCA which regulates cannabis in the district.

10. Cannabis in Washington DC is Pricer

The price of weed in DC is generally higher than the national average of other legalized cannabis states. This is due in part to the strict regulations around cultivation and distribution that limit supply and the grey market of the gifting economy model.

The advantage of this higher pricing is a lower delivery fee if you order within your delivery zone. The average delivery costs range from $10-$30, which is less than the average in other states beginning at $30.

Conclusion

Washington DC has some of the most unique cannabis laws in the country that make buying weed less straightforward than other states.

Therefore, you can use these 10 facts mentioned above to brush up on your knowledge and make informed choices when buying cannabis from a DC dispensary. Knowing this will improve your buying experience so you know what to expect and enjoy finding your favorite weed products in the district.

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