(Washington, DC—September 28, 2022) Today, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board) voted to select three (3) new medical cannabis facility registration applicants following an 18-month open application period.
The Board adopted the recommendations of the Selection Panel comprised of District Government agencies tasked with reviewing submitted dispensary and cultivation center applications for one (1) available dispensary registration in either Ward 3 or Ward 5 and two (2) available cultivation centers in any ward, excluding Ward 5.
The dispensary applicant that received the highest ranking from the Selection Panel was:
- Bouquet Labs DC—5185 MacArthur Boulevard, NW (Ward 3)
The cultivation center applicants that received the two highest rankings from the Selection Panel were:
- Renee and Andria Health—6400 Chillum Place, NW (Ward 4)
- Bouquet Labs DC—6405 Chillum Place, NW (Ward 4)
The facility additions will increase the number of registered cultivation centers and dispensaries in DC to eleven (11) and eight (8), respectively, to serve more than 21,000 DC patients. Non-DC resident patients from 38 U.S. states and territories may also purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries through the program’s reciprocity provision.
“We look forward to the new facilities further expanding access to medical cannabis for a growing pool of District and visiting patients alike, and ensuring licensed facilities are able to meet patient demand and preferences,” said ABRA Director Fred Moosally.
An approved dispensary applicant is required to open for business within 120 calendar days of being selected. An approved cultivation center applicant is required to open for business within 120 calendar days of having their registration issued by the Board.
Application details and submission determination rosters are available on ABRA’s website.
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APPLICATION AND PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Available Registrations
- Two (2) cultivation centers. All Wards were eligible excluding Ward 5.
- One (1) dispensary. Only Wards 3 and 5 were eligible.
- Two (2) testing labs. All Wards were eligible.
Key Dates
- March 21, 2021 - May 21, 2021 Letter of Intent (LOI) period
- November 29, 2021 - March 28, 2022 Application period
- June 17, 2022 - August 8, 2022 ANC comment period
Submissions
- LOIs
- 199 received (176 approved; 23 denied). Approved parties were eligible to apply.
- Applications
- 18 received (12 approved; six (6) denied). Approved parties were eligible to advance to the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) public comment period.
- Only one (1) testing lab application was received but it did not meet the required threshold to advance.
- 18 received (12 approved; six (6) denied). Approved parties were eligible to advance to the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) public comment period.
Selection Panel Member Agencies
The panel was comprised of a representative from each of the below District Government agencies. Scoring criteria is detailed in 22-C DCMR § 5402.
- ABRA
- DC Health
- Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
- Department of Energy and Environment
- Department of Forensic Sciences (testing lab application review only)
- Department of General Services
- Office of the Attorney General
Current Facilities
- There are currently seven (7) dispensaries and nine (9) cultivation centers licensed in DC.
Patients
- As of August 30, the medical cannabis program has more than 21,000 DC residents enrolled as patients. Non-DC resident patients from 38 U.S. states and territories may also purchase medical cannabis through the program’s reciprocity provision.
- Program metrics are available on ABRA's website.
Documents and Information
- Applications and submission determination rosters are available at abra.dc.gov.
- Additional media inquiries may be directed to:
- Jared Powell, Chief of Staff [email protected]
- Leslie Malone, Public Affairs Specialist [email protected]