On November 14, 2024, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration’s (ABCA) Enforcement Division, accompanied by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, served Closure Orders to the owner of an illegal cannabis business: Trippy Wizard at 1755 S Street, NW, 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.

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.

 Investigators recovered over 7 lbs. of marijuana, over 7 lbs. of entheogenic mushrooms, 456 grams of mushroom edibles, and 400 grams of THC Vape Cartridges.

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 thirteen (13)  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 36 Cease and Desist Orders and 93 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].