On December 17, 2024, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration’s (ABCA) Enforcement Division, accompanied by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, implemented Closure Orders to the owners of two illegal cannabis businesses: Nomad Smoke Shop located at 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE and Promoco DC at 1813 18th 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 in violation of Cease and Desist Orders.
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 business closure and observed illegal products in plain sight inside both stores. A search warrant was obtained and executed.
At Nomad Smoke Shop, Investigators recovered over 36 pounds of marijuana, more than two pounds of cocaine, more than two pounds of methamphetamine, more than six pounds of edible mushrooms, more than 22 pounds of THC wax, and 860 grams of concentrated THC liquid.
A firearm was also recovered inside the location. As a result of detectives’ investigation, 30-year-old Jordan Payne was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute and Unregistered Firearm.
At Promoco, Investigators recovered over 1.9 grams of marijuana.
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 sixteen (16) 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 40 Cease and Desist Orders and 96 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].