On July 30, 2026, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Medical Cannabis Licensing and Unlicensed Establishment Enforcement Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2026. The legislation is currently in effect on an emergency basis until October 28, 2026.  

What this means for conditional licensees: The most significant change is that a “zoning certificate" OR a "certificate of occupancy” can now be used to convert a medical cannabis conditional license into a standard license with a location. Previously a certificate of occupancy was required. This update allows for applicants who have found a location but have not fully completed construction to be allowed to continue the licensing process. 

Currently, all conditional licenses expire three (3) years from the date of ABC Board approval. Conditional licenses will begin to be cancelled once the expiration date has passed and no complete application has been filed and accepted by the Agency. If you are unsure of your expiration date or have additional questions, please contact [email protected] for guidance.