The legalization of cannabis has been a subject of debate for decades.
The growing body of research on the therapeutic benefits of marijuana has seen many countries relax their once punitive weed laws. However, the plant remains illegal in many jurisdictions around the world.
If you live in Washington, DC, and are wondering if you can legally possess marijuana, this article is for you. The post will offer a conclusive answer to whether cannabis is legal in DC
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Is cannabis legal in Washington, DC?
Cannabis is legal in Washington, DC, for both medical and recreational use.
Medical marijuana consists of weed products used to treat various ailments. These range from pain and inflammation to erectile dysfunction (ED), anxiety, insomnia, epileptic seizures, and nausea, to name a few. Most medical cannabis products are formulated with a phytocannabinoid from the plant called cannabidiol (CBD).
On the other hand, recreational marijuana is a cannabis commodity loved primarily for its psychoactive abilities. These products contain different potencies of intoxicating compounds, the most common being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
What are the broader implications of the DC Cannabis laws?
Washington, DC weed laws stipulate that you can possess and use specified amounts of marijuana supplements in all jurisdictions in the District. It also means you can legally distribute and trade cannabis-infused products. However, there are some gray areas when it comes to the sale of recreational marijuana. More on that later.
Additionally, DC marijuana laws make it possible to grow cannabis. You just need to meet the specific regulatory requirements, and you’re good to go.
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Are there exceptions?
It is important to note that cannabis is legal only under the jurisdiction of the District of Washington, but not at the federal level. In other words, it is illegal to possess marijuana on federal property. These include federal buildings, national parks, roads, alleys and military property.
To make a clearer picture, the US federal government controls almost 30% of the land in Washington, DC. Therefore, it is essential to exercise due diligence when using, distributing or possessing weed products in the District. Popular federal grounds in DC include the National Mall, Joint Base Anacostia – Boiling, Rock Creek Park and West Potomac Park.
But this is not the only restriction in place. In 1906, the United States Congress introduced an act regulating the sale of poisons and pharmaceutical products in the District of Columbia. According to this act, cannabis is legal only if it is sold in a licensed pharmacy or prescribed by an authorized medical marijuana doctor.
The following are other conditions for the legality of weed in Washington, DC.
Years old
Washington DC’s cannabis law allows the possession and use of marijuana products only by adults 21 years of age or older.
Anyone under this age can only use cannabis supplements for medical reasons. And even then, the user must possess a medical marijuana card detailing the specific medical conditions for which they have been pre-approved.
Quantity
In many jurisdictions where cannabis is legal, the law still dictates the specific amount of marijuana that a user can possess at any given time. This amount usually depends on whether you are a retail dispensary or a consumer.
Washington, DC, laws stipulate that cannabis users can only possess two ounces or less of weed-based products. This does not necessarily apply to pharmaceutical outlets and other licensed marijuana sellers.
DC weed laws also require cannabis growers to have up to six marijuana plants on their property. And only three of the six plants should be mature.
Method of delivery
There are many ways to consume cannabis products. Top delivery methods include;
- Sublingual administration of cannabis tinctures
- Smoking cannabis cigarettes
- Vaping cannabis e-juices
- Consume cannabis-infused edibles
- Apply cannabis-infused skin care products topically.
All methods of cannabis delivery are generally legal in Washington, DC. However, some of these methods come with several restrictions.
For example, you cannot buy cigarettes or vape accessories in the District unless you are 21 years of age or older. There is also an exceptional ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including e-juices that contain nicotine.
Therefore, your intended cannabis delivery method plays a significant role in determining whether you can legally access weed in DC.
Also, you can’t smoke or vape weed in public places. This is regardless of whether it is on federal property or not. So don’t use weed publicly in restaurants, nightclubs, CHURCHES, etc.
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How does selling cannabis work in DC?
DC cannabis laws criminalize the sale of recreational marijuana products. But there are some gray areas that can be exceptions to this rule.
For starters, it is actually legal to buy marijuana from licensed outlets like dispensaries and poison shops. Obviously, there is a trade-off aspect involved.
In addition, DC laws allow “gift” dispensaries to offer recreational cannabis products. These are dispensaries where customers can buy token items of low value that come with marijuana and free marijuana products.
Can you bring marijuana into Washington, DC?
Unfortunately, it is illegal to carry marijuana in Washington, DC. It doesn’t matter if the weed comes from a country or state where cannabis is legal.
It is also illegal to smuggle cannabis out of Washington, DC. Again, it doesn’t matter if you’re traveling with weed in jurisdictions where weed is legal.
However, there is an exception to this rule. In 2019, Washington, DC began accepting medical marijuana cards from other states. This offers some leverage for cannabis users who enter the District with marijuana from other states where weed is legal.
What are the penalties for illegal possession of weed in DC?
Using marijuana in public places is a misdemeanor in Washington, DC. There are no fines or incarcerations, and in most cases, law enforcement will let you off with a warning. In some cases, you may even have your stash confiscated. However, it is important to note that “public use” in this case does not apply to the possession of marijuana on federal property, which is a whole new ball game.
Possession of more than two ounces of marijuana in the District is also a misdemeanor. The offense attracts up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail for a first-time offender.
Possession of more than half a pound of marijuana attracts up to a $1,000 fine and/or a 6-month prison sentence for first-time offenders. Subsequent offenses attract up to a fine of $5,000 and/or 2 years in prison for a similar amount and up to a prison sentence of $60,000 or 5 years for other amounts.
Finally, driving under the influence (DUI) of marijuana is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of $1,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail. Currently, the District has no felony DUI charges, which means that even subsequent drug arrests are considered misdemeanors and attract the same penalties.
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Summary
Here’s our guide to the legality of marijuana in DC. We hope you can use this article as a guide before owning cannabis products in the district.
