On February 18, 2025, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration’s (ABCA) Enforcement Division, accompanied by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, implemented Closure Orders to the owners of Kush Bar located at 1219 11th Street NW and Pride Smoke Shop located at 1502 21st Street NW, Washington DC. On February 19, closure orders were implemented to the owners of Shashamane located at 2906 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington DC.
Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board issued the Closure Orders in response to their continued operation as unlicensed cannabis retailers. Due to the businesses posing a credible and imminent danger to public health and safety, ABCA shuttered the businesses, including padlocking the doors.
MPD officers and investigators from the Violent Crime Suppression Division accompanied ABCA during the closures and observed illegal products. A search warrant was obtained and executed at all establishments.
At Kush Bar, investigators recovered over 20 lbs. of marijuana, over 14 grams of THC laced edibles, 21 grams of THC vape cartridges, and 4 grams of entheogenic mushrooms.
At Pride Smoke Shop, investigators recovered 142 grams of marijuana, 40 grams of THC wax, 7 grams of mushroom edibles, and 4 grams of mushroom concentrate.
At Shashamane, investigators recovered over 44 pounds of marijuana, over 34 grams of THC laced edibles, 143 grams of vape cartridges, and 187 grams of entheogenic mushrooms.
Additionally, two weapons and ammunition were recovered. Forty-year-old Behailu Mamo was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute and Unregistered Firearm and Unregistered Ammunition.
The business owners may request a hearing before the ABC Board. Prior to access to the properties being returned to the property owners, the ABC Board may require the property owners to submit for Board approval, a remediation plan addressing how they will actively prevent future illegal cannabis sales on-premises. The ABC Board also has the authority to issue a $10,000 fine to each property owner.
The joint agency enforcement efforts have padlocked thirty-one (31) illegal cannabis businesses since Bill 25-872, the Medical Cannabis Conditional License and Unlicensed Establishment Closure Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2024, which granted the agency with new civil enforcement powers, took effect on July 15, 2024.
To date, ABCA has issued 43 Cease and Desist Orders and 109 written warning letters to illegal cannabis businesses that did not apply for a medical cannabis business license during the open application period for unlicensed operators.
Per DC law, unlicensed businesses that have a pending application filed during that specific open application period are exempt from ABCA enforcement actions until March 31, 2025.
Following the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order, ABCA sends by certified mail a letter to each property owner where an illegal cannabis business is operating advising them that they may personally be subject to civil and criminal penalties for failure to immediately cease all illegal cannabis activity.
Questions regarding:
Medical cannabis licensing and enforcement should be directed to ABCA at [email protected].
Illegal product seizure and arrests should be directed to MPD at [email protected].