On July 22, 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 Dennie’s Liquors located at 5000 Benning Road SE, Washington, DC.

The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board issued the Closure Order due to the business operating illegally and posing an imminent risk to public health and safety. Additionally, the Board suspended the business’s alcoholic beverage license pending a summary suspension and closure hearing.

While executing a search warrant during the Closure Order servicing, the District's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers seized 3.8 ounces of marijuana and 195 grams of THC edibles.

Forty-one-year-old Kidane Debesai Godfay, of Northwest Washington, was arrested and charged with Distribution of a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute.

To date, joint agency enforcement efforts have padlocked 61 illegal 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.

The public can support enforcement efforts by reporting suspected illegal cannabis businesses online at abca.dc.gov/service/complaint. Submissions can be made anonymously. To locate a licensed medical cannabis Retailer, visit abca.dc.gov/service/find-medical-cannabis-retailer.

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].