If you're planning on buying weed in our nation’s capital, you're stepping into a unique and, at times, confusing landscape. The reality is that Washington DC's laws come with a few quirks you should know.
Whether you’re a resident or visitor to the area, buying weed in DC can be a bit daunting at first. Is it legal? Where do you find weed in DC? Can anyone purchase it?
Don’t worry, our blog is here to help. Once you understand the process, you’ll be well on your way to elevating your days in The District with some quality cannabis — all within the confines of the law. Here’s everything residents and non-residents need to know about buying weed in Washington DC.
Is Weed Legal in DC?
The simple answer is yes, it is legal to possess marijuana in DC. The how, where, and why you buy marijuana in DC is where things get complicated.
Buying weed in Washington DC. for medical purposes is legal. If you’re a patient needing marijuana for a medical condition, you can go to any medical marijuana dispensary and buy what you need (we’ll get into who qualifies as a patient and how later).
So, what if you’re interested in buying weed in DC for recreational purposes? Technically, you can’t “buy” it, but you can still get it. Under Initiative 71, it’s legal to transfer one ounce or less of marijuana, so long as no “money, goods, or services are exchanged.” In other words, cannabis has to be a “gift.” Both residents and non-residents can get weed in DC under Initiative 71.
Retailers “gift” cannabis by selling customers other, non-weed products. These products can be anything from t-shirts and mugs to life coaching sessions and paintings. Included with your purchase is a “free gift” of weed. For example, your receipt would say that you bought a “leisure hoodie” (or something like that). It will not say that you paid for marijuana.
When you’re ready to enjoy your little green present, you’ll need to do that at a private residence — smoking marijuana in public spaces is illegal. As with alcohol, it is illegal to operate a vehicle under the influence of marijuana. If you are a visitor, check with your hotel or rental regarding their regulations for on-property cannabis use.
Let’s recap:
Legal
Illegal
Possessing up to 2 ounces of weed
Possessing more than 2 ounces of weed
Gifting (or being gifted) up to 1 ounce of weed
Gifting or being gifted more than 1 ounce of weed
Enjoying cannabis at a private residence
Enjoying cannabis in a public space
Growing up to 6 plants — only 3 of which can be mature
Exchanging money, goods, or services for weed
What if you want more than one ounce? You can legally possess up to two ounces. However, you can only be gifted up to one ounce. So, you’ll need to buy another t-shirt or mug in a separate transaction to receive that second ounce.
Side note for growers: you can legally cultivate up to six plants at home — you just can’t have more than three mature at any time.
How Can I Buy Weed in DC?
Now that you understand how to buy weed in DC (or rather, how to buy a souvenir item and get a gift of weed), let’s discuss where to buy weed in DC. You have a couple of options, including going to a retail store, as well as having your products delivered to you. Either option is available to both residents and non-residents — and you must be 21 years or older to receive your gift.
Weed Delivery Services
If you choose delivery, you can have your product brought to a private residence. However, many weed delivery services will deliver your product straight to you, wherever you are. So whether you’re at a cafe in Dupont Circle or enjoying a picnic at the Georgetown Waterfront Park, a delivery person can come straight to you. Here’s how ordering weed via delivery works:
Browse the menu of products
Choose your item — such as your hat or painting
Select the free gift you’d like to receive with your purchase
Text or call in your order
Verify your age by presenting your I.D.
Provide payment
Designate your delivery spot, sit back, and wait
Depending on the service you use, you might text a photo of yourself holding your ID, or you might upload it to a digital platform.
Recreational Weed Storefronts
If you prefer to see products in person before purchasing, or you would like to speak to a cannabis expert for tips on choosing the right gift, you can visit a storefront. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but here’s what you need to know before you go:
Research the best places to buy weed in DC
Visit your chosen storefront to peruse their products
Pick out your product and your gift
Present your ID
Provide payment
It’s important to remember that these storefronts do not sell marijuana, so be very careful not to use any language suggesting that you’re buying weed. You’re buying a different product, and receiving weed as a gift. Using the wrong words could get you turned away.
Buying Weed in DC as a Local or Visitor for Medical Use
So, what about purchasing medical marijuana in D.C.? The process does vary slightly between residents and visitors.
Nonresident
If you’re visiting D.C. you might be able to use your valid medical marijuana card, so long as it was issued to you in one of the states extended reciprocity (you can find that list of states here). If you’re visiting from a state that is not found on the list, you can apply for a temporary patient registration by doing the following:
Complete a patient application
Wait for a payment link to arrive in your email
Make your payment
Receive your digital registration within minutes
When completing your application, you can choose one of five time periods:
3 days
30 days
90 days
180 days
365 days
You do not need a doctor’s note to qualify as a patient. You only need to be 21 years of age and confirm that you will only use cannabis purchased with your registration for medical purposes.
Resident
Unlike visitors, residents do not need to be 21 years of age to receive a medical marijuana card. A parent or legal guardian of a minor can submit a minor patient application, along with the name and contact information of the minor’s registered physician. Patients between the ages of 18 and 20 can submit their own adult application but cannot self-certify (i.e. they must have a doctor’s recommendation).
Patients 21 and up can self-certify as medical marijuana users. After submitting the application, residents will:
Receive a digital card that is immediately good for 30 days
Receive a permanent digital card after the application is approved
Pay no fee (unless a physical card is requested)
Resident registrations are good for six years. As of the time this blog was written, there is no renewal fee.
Let GHouse DC Deliver
Looking for a safe and convenient way to buy weed in DC? GHouse DC provides The District’s cannabis community with an assortment of high-end and diverse products, including flower, edibles, and more.
Explore our menu, where you can shop our stylish t-shirts, jackets, and hoodies, and receive a free cannabis gift with your purchase. Once you’ve made your selection, just call or text (202) 602-7092, and one of our friendly and professional delivery experts will bring your order, straight to you!
FAQs About Buying Weed In DC
Still have questions about how to get weed in DC? Below you’ll find answers to common questions we receive at GHouse.
How much weed can I buy?
Registered patients purchasing medical marijuana can buy up to eight ounces of weed within a 30-day rolling period. Recreational users cannot buy weed. However, they can buy a different product from select retailers who provide a free “gift” of marijuana with each purchase. This gift is not to exceed one ounce in a single transaction.
Can I smoke weed in my car?
It is illegal to smoke or consume cannabis products in a vehicle in D.C. This applies to both drivers and passengers.
What about edibles in public spaces?
It is illegal to partake in any cannabis product, no matter the ingestion method, in a public space. This extends to edibles, vapes, and tinctures.