On February 24, 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 Popular DC located at 3905 Georgia Avenue NW. On February 27, 2025, Closure Orders were implemented to the owners of Dabbers Club/District Glass Studio located at 4631 41st 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 both closures and observed illegal products. Search warrants were obtained and executed at both establishments.
At Popular DC, investigators recovered over a pound of marijuana, located ammunition, and made two arrests. Thirty-four-year-old Rochard Peralta and 30-year-old Carlos Reyes, both of Northwest DC, were arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Unregistered Ammunition.
At Dabbers Club/District Glass Studio, investigators recovered over 7 pounds of marijuana, 550 grams of THC powder, over 440 grams of THC concentrate, 216 grams of THC vape cartridges, more than 66 grams of THC edibles, and over 6 pounds 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 thirty-three (33) 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 43 Cease and Desist Orders and 111 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 have a pending application filed during that specific open application period are exempt from ABCA enforcement actions until March 31, 2025.
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].