On November 26, 2024, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration’s (ABCA) Enforcement Division, accompanied by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, implemented a Closure Order involving an illegal cannabis business: Peace in the Air at 2118 18th Street, NW, First Floor, Washington DC.
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board issued the Closure Order 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.
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 fourteen (14) 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 37 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 seizures and arrests should be directed to MPD at [email protected].