In January Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed legislation to significantly expand the district’s medical marijuana program. After a required congressional review period, the proposal is now officially law.
The legislation (Bill 24-0113) was first introduced by Council Chair Phil Mendelson on behalf of Mayor Bowser back in February, 2021. In December, 2022 it passed the D.C. Council in a unanimous 13 to 0 vote, and it officially became law yesterday.
The new law removes the cap on the number of plants that a cultivation center can grow and removes the cap on the number of permitted dispensaries in the District. The law also creates new business categories within the industry including on-site consumption facilities and marijuana cooking classes, and it makes permanent the option for patients to self-certify that they’re qualified medical marijuana patients.
The Medical Cannabis Amendment Act also:
- Changes tax law so that marijuana businesses can deduct taxes under local statute that they’re prohibited from making under the federal Internal Revenue Services (IRS) code known as 280E.
- Allows for legal “gifting” of marijuana among patients and at dispensaries.
- Makes changes to social equity language primarily through changing the laws surrounding I-71 operators.
- Allows delivery and curbside pickup services by dispensaries.
- Creates a new license for those selling medical marijuana online without a brick and mortar location.
- Changes the name of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration to Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration.
