District of Columbia Cannabis Laws

Legal — Recreational & Medical

Washington D.C. legalized recreational cannabis possession and home growing in 2014 through Initiative 71. However, due to a Congressional spending rider, commercial sales remain technically blocked. A gray market of "gifting" services has emerged. Medical marijuana has been available since 2010.

Last updated: January 15, 2026

Quick Facts

Minimum Age	21+ (recreational)
Purchase Limits (Rec)	2 oz (56g) possession limit. No legal retail sales (gifting only).
Purchase Limits (Med)	4 oz per month from licensed dispensaries
Delivery Allowed	Yes
Home Growing	Adults 21+ may grow up to 6 plants per person (no more than 3 mature) and up to 12 plants per household.
Public Consumption	Prohibited. Cannot consume on any public space, federal property, or in any vehicle. Given D.C.'s unique federal status, this is especially strictly enforced near federal buildings.
ID Requirements	Government-issued photo ID showing age 21+, D.C. medical marijuana card for dispensary purchases
Tourist Rules	Tourists can possess cannabis legally. However, there are no licensed recreational stores — only medical dispensaries (which require a D.C. medical card). The "gifting" market operates in a legal gray area.
Penalties	Possession of up to 2 oz is legal. Over 2 oz can result in arrest. Selling cannabis (as opposed to "gifting") is illegal and subject to criminal penalties.
Tax Info	Medical cannabis is subject to 6% sales tax. No recreational tax exists because there are no legal recreational sales.

Medical Cannabis Program

Qualifying Conditions

Any condition for which a physician determines medical cannabis would be beneficial. D.C. has no specific list of qualifying conditions.

How to Get a Card

Patients need a physician recommendation from a D.C.-licensed doctor, then register through the D.C. Department of Health. Registration is free for D.C. residents.

Cannabis in D.C.: A Unique Situation

Washington D.C.'s cannabis laws are unlike any other jurisdiction in the country. Initiative 71 passed overwhelmingly in 2014, legalizing possession and home growing. However, a Congressional appropriations rider (the "Harris rider") prohibits D.C. from using funds to regulate or tax commercial cannabis sales.

This has created a unique situation where possession is legal but there are no licensed recreational stores. A "gifting" economy has emerged where businesses sell a product (like a t-shirt or sticker) and "gift" cannabis with the purchase. This gray market is tolerated but technically exists in a legal gray area.

Medical Marijuana in D.C.

D.C.'s medical program is well-established with licensed dispensaries operating throughout the district. D.C. has one of the most open medical programs in the country — any condition that a physician determines could benefit from cannabis qualifies. There is no restrictive list of qualifying conditions.

D.C. also accepts out-of-state medical marijuana cards on a temporary basis (30 days), making it one of the few jurisdictions with reciprocity for visitors.

Next steps: compare dispensaries in District of Columbia, how to find a licensed dispensary, what to bring to a dispensary, and browse all state cannabis pages.

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Official License Lookup

Verify a dispensary's license on the official District of Columbia website:

Visit District of Columbia Cannabis Regulator