District of Columbia Medical Marijuana Law

Status

Operational

Law Signed:

2010

QUALIFYING CONDITIONS

  • Any debilitating condition as recommended by a DC licensed doctor or as self-certified by a patient.*
  • *On July 6, 2022, District Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Medical Marijuana Self-Certification Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 permitting individuals age 21 or older to “self-certify … that they are utilizing cannabis for medical purposes” when they register with local regulators for a medical cannabis identification card.

PATIENT POSSESSION LIMITS

Eight ounces

HOME CULTIVATION

No

STATE-LICENSED DISPENSARIES ALLOWED

Yes, medical dispensaries may grow up to 500 plants on site at any one time. Both non-profit and for-profit organizations are eligible to operate the dispensaries.

STATE-LICENSED DISPENSARIES OPERATIONAL

Yes

MEDICAL MARIJUANA STATUTES

  • D.C. Act 13-138 §2 (3) (2010)

CAREGIVERS

Yes, a caregiver is a person designated by a qualifying patient as the person authorized to possess, obtain from a dispensary, dispense, and assist in the administration of medical marijuana. The caregiver must be 18 years of age or older. The caregiver must be registered with the Department as the qualifying patient’s caregiver. A caregiver may only serve one qualifying patient at a time.

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF REGISTERED PATIENTS

EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS FOR QUALIFYING PATIENTS

RECIPROCITY

Yes. Non-resident qualifying patients may apply for temporary registration cards. Those who receive identification cards will be able to legally enter and purchase cannabis products from District dispensaries. Temporary non-resident ID cards are valid for 30 days. Applications may be applied for online via the ABRA.