On September 25, 2024, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration’s (ABCA) Enforcement Division, accompanied by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, served a Closure Order to the owner of Flight Pass/Green Room, an unlicensed cannabis business located at 1338 U Street, NW.
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board issued the Closure Order to Flight Pass/Green Room in response to their continued operation as an unlicensed cannabis retailer in violation of a Cease and Desist Order.
Due to the business posing a credible and imminent danger to public health and safety, ABCA shuttered the business, including padlocking the doors.
MPD officers and Investigators from the Violent Crime Suppression Division accompanied ABCA during the business closure and observed illegal products in plain sight. A search warrant was obtained and executed at the establishment.
Investigators recovered 1,458 grams of Marijuana laced with suspected Amphetamines, 112.72 grams of THC-laced edibles, 1,736 grams of THC wax, 11.65 grams of THC capsules, 9.8 grams of THC Vape Cartridges, 11 grams of THC oil, and 59 grams of Entheogenic mushrooms.
No arrests were made, and the investigation is ongoing.
The business owners may request an emergency hearing within five (5) business days after service. If requested, the ABC Board must hold a hearing within five (5) business days of the request and issue a determination within five (5) business days of the hearing date.
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.
This is the fifth illegal cannabis business closed by ABCA 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.
The previously closed businesses are:
- Supreme Turpene, 1344 U Street, NW (September 5, 2024)
- Green Cloud Shop, 706 Kennedy Street, NW (September 13, 2024)
- All American Papers, 504 H Street, NE (September 18, 2024)
- StonerzDC, 521 H Street, NE (September 18, 2024)
To date, ABCA has issued 26 Cease and Desist Orders and 84 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 applied during that specific open application period are exempt from ABCA enforcement actions until September 30, 2024, or within 180 days of Board approval, whichever date is later.
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].