ABCA, MPD Padlock Classic Tobacco, Hotbox
Latest action marks 47 padlocked illegal operations across city
On April 10, 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 Classic Tobacco located at 2441 18th Street NW, and Hotbox located at 1703 6th Street NW, Washington DC.
The 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 closure and observed illegal products. A search warrant was obtained and executed.
At Classic Tobacco, investigators recovered over two pounds of marijuana, just under a pound of THC edibles, more than half a pound of mushroom edibles, 633.5 grams of THC cartridges, and a gram of THC wax.
At Hotbox, investigators recovered just under 10 pounds of marijuana, 84 pounds of THC edibles, more than three pounds of mushroom edibles, 88 grams of mushroom concentrate, 166 grams THC concentrate, 885 grams of THC vape cartridges, and 254 grams of THC wax.
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 47 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 44 Cease and Desist Orders and 118 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.
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].