On Feb. 26, at the request of Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson introduced The Medical Cannabis Amendment Act of 2021.
The stated goal of the act is to make the District’s medical cannabis program more equitable, inclusive and fair; provide patients and caregivers greater flexibility and options; and ensure facilities are able to meet patient demand and product preferences.
The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) has the authority to enforce the District’s medical marijuana program, which will be expanded by Bowser’s legislation.
On Tuesday, April 6, at 10:00 a.m., ABRA will host an information session that will highlight key provisions included in the legislation such as:
- Removing and reducing barriers for returning citizens to be able to enter the industry and own facilities.
- Increasing the number of permitted dispensaries from eight to 16 and allowing two dispensaries per ward.
- Extending the registration period for medical cannabis facilities from one to three years.
- Eliminating the cultivation center plant count limit on a permanent basis.
- Allowing dispensaries to obtain a safe use treatment facility endorsement to allow medical cannabis to be administered onsite and/or a delivery endorsement to offer cannabis delivery and curbside pickup.
Please note that this information session will only address proposed enhancements to the medical cannabis program in Bowser’s bill and NOT adult-use cannabis.
DC Council is considering the Mayor’s bill together with another bill put forward by Mendelson in March.
Register for the online session, held via Webex, here:  https://bit.ly/31L7gGm
