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photo by Diane Krauthamer
From the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration:
“On September 18, 2024, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration’s (ABCA) Enforcement Division, accompanied by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, served Closure Orders to the owners of two illegal cannabis businesses: All American Papers, at 504 H Street, NE, Washington, DC and StonerzDC at 521 H Street, NE, Washington DC.
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board issued the Closure Orders to All American Papers and StonerzDC in response to their continued operation as unlicensed cannabis retailers in violation of Cease and Desist Orders.
Due to both 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 the business closure and observed illegal products in plain sight inside both stores. A search warrant was obtained and executed at both locations.
At StonerzDC, investigators recovered 949 grams of Marijuana laced with Amphetamine, 4,808 grams of THC laced edibles, 1,723.65 grams of THC wax, and 28 grams of Entheogenic mushrooms.
At All American Papers, investigators recovered 3,326 grams of Marijuana, 512 grams of THC edibles, 2,053 grams of THC vape cartridges, 459 grams of Entheogenic mushrooms, and 16 grams of cannabis oil.
No arrests were made at either location and an investigation is ongoing.
The business owners may request an emergency hearing within five (5) business days after service. If requested, the ABC Board must hold a hearing within five (5) business days of the request and issue a determination within five (5) business days of the hearing date.
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.
These are the third and fourth illegal cannabis businesses closed by ABCA 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 23 Cease and Desist Orders and 84 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].”
“}]] photo by Diane Krauthamer From the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration: “On September 18, 2024, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration’s (ABCA) Enforcement Division, accompanied by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, served Closure Orders to the owners of two illegal cannabis businesses: All American Papers, at 504 H Street, NE, Washington, DC and StonerzDC at Read More