Authorities in Washington D.C. are continuing their efforts to combat unlicensed cannabis businesses. The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are conducting joint enforcement actions, leading to the closure of multiple establishments operating illegally and posing risks to public health and safety in the past two months. These operations are conducted under the Medical Cannabis Conditional License and Unlicensed Establishment Closure Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2024, enacted on July 15, 2024, which granted ABCA expanded civil enforcement powers.
On June 9, 2025, ABCA’s Enforcement Division, supported by MPD officers, executed a Closure Order at District 93 (1015 U Street NW, Washington DC). The ABC Board cited the business’s illegal operation and identified risks to public health and safety as reasons for the closure. During the execution of a search warrant, law enforcement recovered 3.3 ounces of alleged cannabis, six grams of alleged mushroom edibles, over 1200 grams of alleged THC resin, a firearm and ammunition.
This action follows a series of closures of illegal cannabis businesses in Washington, D.C.:
May 28, 2025: Wellshroomness at 922 Kennedy Street NW was closed and padlocked. A subsequent search warrant resulted in the seizure of 5.8 pounds of mushrooms and 411 grams of mushroom edibles.
May 21, 2025: Crown Tobacco at 908 Florida Avenue NW received a Closure Order. Investigators recovered approximately 5 grams of cannabis and 53 grams of THC vapes.
May 15, 2025: B&K Convenience Store and Smoke Shop at 2414 18th Street NW was shut down due to its continued operation as an unlicensed cannabis retailer. Seizures at this location included 3.8 pounds of cannabis, 133 grams of mushrooms, 1272 grams of mushroom edibles, 299 grams of THC edibles, 34 grams of THC concentrate, and 2449 grams of THC vape.
May 8, 2025: Closure Orders were issued for Pot Paradise at 521 H Street NE and H & Vape Smoke Shop at 1374 H Street NE. At Pot Paradise, investigators recovered nearly one pound of cannabis , over three-quarters of a pound of THC edibles, over a pound of mushroom edibles, and more than 90,000 grams of THC vapes. At H & Vape Smoke Shop, nearly one pound of cannabis and 94 grams of THC vapes were recovered.
Businesses issued Closure Orders may request a hearing before the ABC Board. Prior to property access being returned, the ABC Board may require property owners to submit an approved remediation plan to prevent future illegal cannabis sales on their premises. The ABC Board also has the authority to impose a $10,000 fine on each property owner involved though none have been issued to date.
These joint agency enforcement efforts have led to the padlocking of 57 illegal cannabis businesses across Washington D.C. since the Medical Cannabis Conditional License and Unlicensed Establishment Closure Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 became effective on July 15, 2024.
Over 50 businesses have faced closures in the last year, but many have entered into Offers in Compromise with the ABC Board following enforcement actions.
Wellshroomness agreed to pay a $5,000 fine and enter into an agreement with the attorney general’s office to not sell illegal psychedelics.
