Washington DC City Council unanimously approved a bill that will allow medical cannabis patients who have expired program ID cards to continue using their cards until the end of January.
Until Recently, Pandemic-Related Rules Allowed the Use of Expired Cards
Washington DC had declared a pandemic-related public emergency, and it had allowed patients to use their expired cards to purchase medical cannabis, until recently. Once the emergency was over, 6,000 of DC’s 12,000 registered medical marijuana patients lost access to the program. This bill reverses some of the damage done and also gives those 6,000 patients access to their care again.
The bill also creates the existence of two-year medical cannabis ID cards, which is twice the duration of the current one-year cards. Medical patients can also buy more cannabis than before. Patients can buy up to eight ounces of cannabis. Previously, patients could only buy four ounces of medical marijuana at a time.
The Bill Originally Included a Provision That Would Crack Down Hard on “Gifting” Businesses
Gifting enforcement provisions were originally in the bill, and if passed, it would have involved a greater crackdown that would have affected local businesses. It included “revocation of licenses, sealing of premises, and fines for businesses purchasing, selling, or exchanging marijuana.”
The provision would have targeted a network of stores, events, and delivery services that have popped up in light of Initiative 71, which legalized the possession, personal use, and home cultivation of cannabis.
Initiative 71 does not allow cannabis sales, but many entrepreneurs use gifting as a loophole around that. Businesses are selling everything from stickers and art to juice and cookies for high prices with a “gift” of recreational weed on the side.
Photo by Margo Amala on Unsplash
Cannabis Gifting Businesses are a Big Problem for Medical Dispensaries in Washington DC
When medical marijuana patients don’t have access to their program, they may turn to “gifting” stores. This is a big problem for medical dispensaries that may lose out on customers.
“We welcome people coming into the program the same way all of us have — by following the rules and by living with the consequences when we don’t. That’s the only way that we have a successful regulated industry in D.C. We wouldn’t want unregulated restaurants or gas stations or pharmacies or anything else.”
Jeffrey Kahn the owner of the Takoma Wellness Center, a medical dispensary
However, Many of the Owners of Cannabis “Gifting” Businesses in Washington DC are BIPOC
Cracking down on gifting policies could affect many BIPOC people. Many have found a way to participate in the cannabis industry successfully and legally through these gifting methods.
Photo by Esteban Lopez on Unsplash
“We could be the first place that actually provides some equity for Black business owners in the market that we have run for years. At first, we would get incarcerated for running a market. Now we’re able to operate within the law, but still getting harassed.”
Bree, the owner of two cannabis gifting stores in Washington DC who wishes to remain anonymous
Bree goes on to say that her business ensures she has a place within the cannabis market in DC. Kahn said he’s lost 40% of his sales. As a mom-and-pop organization, he might have to consider reducing his staff.
The Public has Been Asked to Weigh in Before the End of the Month
There are two sides to every story. Lawmakers want to give the public time to weigh in before they address this issue later this month. They may consider revisiting gifting enforcement when they consider the bill to allow adult-use cannabis sales at the end of November.
Learn More About Weed in Washington DC
More Content
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BACKWOODS AND HIP-HOP
TERPENES FOR ANXIETY: 3 TERPS IN CANNABIS WITH STRESS-RELIEVING PROPERTIES
RAPPER WEED: WHICH RAPPERS HAVE CANNABIS PRODUCTS IN THE MARKET? WHO ACTUALLY HAS THE FIRE?
18 COMPANIES THAT DON’T DRUG TEST THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR WEED
7 TIPS FOR MARKETING CANNABIS AND CBD ON TIKTOK AND INSTAGRAM
