Finding marijuana in DC is said to be as hard as it is scary. Various DC Weed Laws guiding the use of weed have made it near impossible to get your hands on weed without slipping up one way or the other. And with the news of fake weed strains going about, you might as well give up. 

But wait, what if purchasing weed isn't as complex as you thought. Seeing as there are legal cannabis shops in DC operating today, the only thing stopping you from getting your hand on high-quality cannabis is how complicated the laws are. This DC weed laws guide aims to bust all the myths you might have concerning the use of weed in DC and will also educate you on how weed became legal in the nation's capital.

Is Marijuana Legal in D.C.?

Yes, cannabis is absolutely legal in D.C.!  

The use of weed for recreational purposes was legalized when Initiative 71 (I71) was approved. Initiative 71 offers a welcome solution for those who use weed for recreational purposes in DC, and it is important to know what it's about to avoid winding up on the wrong side of the law. 

What is Initiative 71?

In 2015, the government passed Initiative 71, a voter-approved (64.87%) ballot that brought about the legalization of possession of small amounts of weed for recreational use.

Initiative 71 is a saving grace for us weed enthusiasts because it has given us access to cannabis for recreational purposes – kind of. However, Initiative 71 is more than just cannabis legalization; it also comprises various rules that you need to follow to avoid a run-in with the law; some of these DC Weed Laws are:

• You must be 21 years and over.

• You can only possess up to 2 ounces of weed at a time.

• Avoid smoking on federal property, in your car, and in public places such as parks.

• According to  I71, the sale of marijuana for recreational use is prohibited. It can only be gifted. 

• You're only allowed to smoke weed on private property.

Medical vs. Recreational Marijuana Laws

Marijuana has been legalized for both medical and recreational use. But the DC Marijuana Laws guiding the use and purchase of these two are kind of different.

Here's a fun fact, marijuana was also legalized for medical use through the efforts of a voter-approved ballot. This vote happened back in 1998, and it's known as initiative 59. 

While marijuana was legalized for recreational use some time ago, you can't just walk into a dispensary and purchase it. Unlike for medical use, where all you need to do is present your medical marijuana card and buy your weed. The process of acquiring recreational marijuana is different, and we will talk about that in the next section.

Recreational Dispensary in Washington DC?

It's great news that Initiative 71 has given us access to the use of weed for recreational purposes, but what good is it if we can't legally purchase cannabis? 

Although the law prohibits the sale of cannabis, DC “dispensaries” have found a way to bypass this through a gifting system. So how does this work? Well, it's a pretty straightforward process. 

Initiative 71 allows adults who are at least 21 to gift up to an ounce of cannabis to another adult who's at least 21. To acquire weed from an I71 compliant store through gifting, you will have to either purchase a non-cannabis product from a DC cannabis shop or make a charitable donation to support a cause. Your cannabis will be gifted to you as a form of appreciation for your purchase. Pretty cool, right? 

Medical Marijuana DC Laws

Having a medical marijuana card is another excellent way to acquire medical marijuana in DC The process of getting a medical marijuana card in DC is surprisingly simple: 

• First, you will have to book an appointment with an authorized physician. You can contact a licensed physician with the help of various firms such as Capital City Care and the Metropolitan Wellness Center (MWC).

• When you meet a licensed physician, they will access you to know whether CBD is a good fit for your condition. If you get the green light, you will be asked to provide information such as your Social Security Number, A government-issued I.D. card, and proof of residency - note that the information you will be asked to provide may vary. You will also be given a physician recommendation number. This is important because you need it to register with the district’s department of health.

• Lastly, you'll have to wait for your medical marijuana card to arrive. It usually takes 30 business days.

The cost to apply for a medical marijuana card in Washington D.C. is $100.

How to Get Weed Legally

Spark it up! You're familiar with most of the DC Weed Laws guiding the use of weed. You also know how to obtain a medical marijuana card in D.C. Now we will talk about how to get your hands on weed legally. There are various ways to get weed in DC: I71 Compliant Shops, pop-up events, and meet ups. Let's talk about marijuana dispensaries in DC.

Go a Trusted DC Dispensary

Some shops were shut down recently due to their failure to be I71 compliant. The scariest part is that these smoke shops claimed to be I71 compliant and openly lied to their customers. Not only were they selling their patrons low-quality weed, but they also put them in danger of getting arrested by law enforcement.  

Another thing to point out is that most shops that aren't I71 compliant are likely to sell or gift "K2" - a form of synthetic weed that we will cover later on. 

Avoid Criminal Offenses & Law Enforcement

Finding a good I71 Compliant Store will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. By the way, we find it amazing that you've taken some time out to understand some of the Marijuana laws in DC.

Get Top Quality Weed in D.C.

Weed is the earth's gift to us – a natural beauty. But why on earth are there reports of synthetic weed being sold or gifted to people? Yes, Synthetic weed or "K2" is a lab-made drug that mimics pot but causes major health problems later on. So much so that it has been deemed a crisis in our beautiful city, Washington DC.

It is vital to get top-quality flower that won't only give you the desired sensations you want but also rejuvenate "and not kill you". Aside from that, it's a serious offense if you are caught with K2.

Stuff You Should Know About DC Marijuana Laws

Several laws govern the use of weed in D.C. These laws ensure your wellbeing and have been created to protect you from various illegal smoke shops and dealers all across the capital. 

Although finding weed in DC might be considered scary at times, understanding what Initiative 71 offers can help you safely get top-quality cannabis. Initiative 71 has given users access to weed for recreational purposes; however, you should note that it's still illegal to sell recreational weed; it can only be gifted.

Also, try and avoid purchasing synthetic weed " K2." The side effects of this drug are horrible, and it can also get you in big-time trouble with the cops. You can avoid this drug by simply acquiring weed from an I71 compliant shops like ours.

If you’d like more information on if weed in legal in DC, check out our Complete Guide to the Weed Laws.

If you're wondering how to buy marijuana in dc, check out No Kids Allowed. We offer the best marijuana gifts and cannabis products in Washington, DC. Call us at (202) 897-5993 to place your order or stop by our store (637 Pennsylvania Avenue SE STE B)