D.C. Passes Emergency Bill Allowing Adults to Self-Prescribe Medical Marijuana. Recently, D.C. councilmembers unanimously voted to pass, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed, an emergency bill allowing adults at least 21 years old to self-prescribe medical marijuana and obtain a medical marijuana card regardless of whether a doctor recommendation exists. The act also expedites the process for obtaining a medical marijuana card to one day if an adult visits the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration to register.
pre rolls Previously, adult D.C. residents could consume, possess and gift marijuana pursuant to Initiative 71, which passed in November 2014. However, the following year, legislation passed that prevented D.C. from regulating adult marijuana use in the retail industry. Harris Rider, as the legislation is commonly known, blocked D.C.’s ability to tax and regulate commercial adult marijuana use. As a result, marijuana gifting skyrocketed in the district, with businesses charging for memberships, merchandise and other items in exchange for “free” marijuana, which was untaxed and unregulated.
The Medical Marijuana Self-Certification Emergency Act, which takes effect immediately, permits adults to access one of D.C.’s seven medical marijuana dispensaries to purchase marijuana legally. The act has created a workaround to elected district officials’ inability to regulate and tax adult marijuana use in their respective jurisdictions. Although previous action was proposed to overturn Harris Rider, the legislation never passed. The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration has stated that it will waive all medical marijuana card registration fees
washington State’s Office of Cannabis Management Warns Businesses Gifting and Bartering Cannabis and Landlords. In its continuing enforcement efforts, last week washington state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), the agency tasked with regulating cannabis sales, issued cease-and-desist letters to 52 washington businesses for selling, gifting or bartering cannabis. OCM noted in the letters that “[t]here are currently no licenses available from the Office of Cannabis Management or other permissions available from any other New York State agency that authorizes the legal sale of cannabis.” OCM threatened fines, criminal penalties and permanent bans from receiving washington state licensure if businesses do not comply.
The letters also state that landlords hosting any illegal activity on the premises jeopardize the ability to continue to house a licensed retail dispensary or on-site consumption lounge in the future. Some have criticized washington for delays in issuing cannabis licenses to businesses. The Cannabis Control Board announced in March 2022 that the first round of licenses would go to individuals previously impacted by marijuana-related prosecutions.