JurisdictionsTopicsUpdatesWorkflowsCompareChat with ExpertMarketplacePricing
🇺🇸
Adult-Use & Medical — LegalNorth America

District of Columbia

The District of Columbia legalized adult-use cannabis possession, home cultivation, and private transfers through Initiative 71 in 2014, and has operated a medical cannabis program since 2010. However, the Congressional Harris rider—first attached to DC appropriations in 2015 and renewed annually, including in the FY 2027 budget proposal—prohibits DC from using any funds to regulate or tax commercial adult-use cannabis sales. As a result, there are no licensed recreational dispensaries; a gray-market "gifting" economy has emerged instead. The medical program, administered by the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), is robust: DC had approximately 94,000 registered patients by end of 2025, with licensed dispensaries posting record sales. Adults 21+ may possess up to 2 ounces of flower and cultivate up to 6 plants (3 mature) at home. Mayor Bowser has proposed cannabis-infused beverage legislation to diversify the medical market.

Ask the Expert about District of Columbia
Regulator
Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration
Key Legislation
Legalization of Possession of Minimal Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use Initiative of 2014
Year Legalized
2014 (adult-use possession); 2010 (medical)
Program Size
~94,000 registered medical patients (...

Key Facts

  • Initiative 71 (2014) legalized possession of up to 2 oz and home cultivation of up to 6 plants for adults 21+
  • The Congressional Harris rider blocks DC from establishing a taxed-and-regulated commercial adult-use sales system
  • Medical dispensaries set sales records in 2025—2026; ABCA issued a January 2026 program report showing continued growth
  • A gray-market gifting economy operates in the absence of licensed retail, creating enforcement and safety challenges
  • Mayor Bowser proposed legislation allowing local breweries and distilleries to partner on cannabis-infused alcohol-free beverages

Key Legislation

Legalization of Possession of Minimal Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use Initiative of 2014 (Initiative 71); Medical Marijuana Program, D.C. Law 13-315

Regulatory Body

Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA)

Country Info
ISO Code
US
Region
North America
Tier
Tier 1 — Active Program
Status
Adult-Use & Medical — Legal
Sources
DC ABCA — Medical Cannabis ProgramABCA Medical Cannabis Program Report — January 2026DC Code — Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis AdministrationMarijuana Policy Project — District of Columbia
Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Cannabis regulations change frequently. Always verify with official sources and local legal counsel before making compliance decisions.