Years ago, finding recreational weed in the nation’s capital was always a problem for weed lovers because the state’s laws frowned at marijuana consumption. Yes, it was illegal to smoke weed or get caught with it.
However, everything changed in In November 2014 when Washington DC residents voted in favor of Initiative 71, which allowed adults over the age of 21 to possess and use recreational cannabis legally.
While there are some restrictions on where you can consume recreational cannabis, if you’re looking for a recreational dispensary in DC or looking to get recreational weed in DC then you’re in luck.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to find a recreational dispensary in Washington DC, as well as how to get your hands on some high-quality weed without breaking the DC weed laws or hassling for the medical marijuana ID card.
What Is A Recreational Dispensary?
A recreational dispensary is a store that sells cannabis products to customers for recreational use. In order to purchase recreational weed from a dispensary, customers must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid ID.
This type of dispensary sells cannabis without the need for a medical ID. However, they are regulated by the state in which they operate and must follow all state laws.
Are There Recreational Dispensaries In DC?
When DC passed Initiative 71, a rider was added to the federal spending budget, preventing the District from setting up a similar retail sales program for DC weed.
So unlike Colorado and California, with a high number of recreational dispensaries, there are no recreational dispensaries in DC. However, there are medical dispensaries that provide cannabis to those who meet the requirements. Washington DC has several medical dispensaries in the area, however they are only allowed to sell medical marijuana and all customers are required to have a medical marijiuana card.
However, there is still an easy way to get your hands on recreational weed in DC without a medical card.
How Do DC Dispensaries Work?
Like we mentioned above, dispensaries in Washington DC will need a medical marijuana card from a licensed physician in order to sell weed to you. Patients who are 21 years or over with a medical marijuana card will be able to purchase up to two ounces of usable cannabis per visit.
How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card In DC?
Getting medical marijuana is also an effective way of getting cannabis in DC. To acquire medical marijuana, you must have a medical marijuana ID card. However, you should note that getting a medical marijuana card comes with a lot of hassles.
To acquire a medical marijuana card, you must do the following:
Get a doctor's recommendation: First, you must reach out to a medical practitioner to find out whether you are qualified to get one and the medical conditions you need them for.
Fill out an application with the Department of Health: You will be required to file an application with the DOH and pay a non-refundable application fee.
Get your fingerprints taken and submit to a background check: You must go through a criminal background check in order to get your medical marijuana ID card.
Wait for the results of your background check: The DOH will process your application and send you a letter informing you whether you have been approved or not.
If Approved, Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Issued: After passing the background check, your Medical Marijuana Card will be delivered by mail. The whole process usually costs $100 and should take 30 days.
Can You Get Weed Without A Medical Marijuana Card?
Yes, you can get weed without a medical marijuana card in Washington DC. To get weed without a medical marijuana card, you must buy a product from an I71 compliant shop like The Garden in a way that is approved by the DC weed laws.
For these shops to stay within the law, they have implemented a "gift economy", where customers can purchase other products from the store and be gifted with recreational cannabis.
Initiative 71 shops offer products like flower, concentrates, edibles, pre-rolls, and more. All you need to do is purchase an eligible product and you’ll receive a free cannabis gift of your choice.
For example, if you purchase a token from The Garden, you may be gifted with items like Stoney Patch edibles, exotic flower strains, moonrock pre-rolls, and more.
Note: Both residents and tourists in Washington DC are able to purchase weed from an i71 compliant shop.
What is Initiative 71?
Initiative 71 operates majorly to prevent cannabis from being abused in the state upon legalization. Abuse and misuse of marijuana were the major concerns causing setbacks for approving any weed law in Washington.
In 1998, the people of Washington sought to legalize the use of medical cannabis. They approved Ballot Initiative 59, which sought to allow medical use of cannabis. However, this was severed when Congress passed the Barr Amendment preventing the District's use of funds to implement and support the medical cannabis program.
Until 2009, when the amendment was overturned, the use of cannabis was illegal. At this point, the initiative was truly able to proceed. Two years later, the legalization became formalized, allowing dispensaries and cultivation centers to operate following a strict permitting process.
In 2013, the first marijuana dispensary sale to a patient occurred, some 15 years after the initial approval of Initiative 59. A year later, the DC Council voted to decriminalize marijuana possession.
The relentless push was met with stiff opposition, as voters overwhelmingly approved ballot Initiative 71 on November 4, 2014. It finally legalized the recreational use of cannabis in Washington, DC Initiative 71 was approved by about 65% of voters in the council, and the measure came into full force in 2015.
The process of getting free I-71 gifts is much easier if the guidelines are complied with. The law restrains all smoke shops from selling weed for cash; instead, you can get weed as a gift.
How To Get Weed In DC Through Initiative 71
To get high-quality weed in DC, you must comply with the I71 provisions. The best way to do this is through a recreational cannabis shop that obeys Initiative 71 laws. The Garden DC is a perfect example of this.
Here’s how to order weed from The Garden:
Enjoy in-store shopping by visiting us on 1541 New Jersey Ave NW or skip the line and preorder online by:
Select your free I-71 gift
Purchase a token
Each token purchase helps one of the causes we are currently supporting that month like T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project, Black Lobby DC, and more.
If you have any questions regarding your order, feel free to call us at 202 - 815 - 5663 or chat with us on Whatsapp. Don’t forget to bring a 21+ state-issued ID and cash payment.
At The Garden DC, we offer high-quality weed that cannot be gotten in other smoke shops in the capital. They include Afghan Hashish, MoonRock Pre-roll, Stoner Patch Dummies, Tincture, Gummy Clusters, Cartridges, Rainbow Rice Krispies, Stoneo Oreo Cookies, and so on. With an array of other cannabis gifts available on the menu, the Garden DC has the best-rated smoke shop in Washington.
We provide a variety of high-quality and premium weed strains and edibles. We have one of the highest-rated I71 compliant shops with a 4.4-star rating on Google, and a lot of customers have given their feedback on their experience with the brand.
To view our menu, visit our website or chat with us on Whatsapp at (202) 815-5663 to place your order. For The Garden DC hours, please check our website. Follow us on Instagram to learn more about 420-friendly and Initiative 71-compliant deliveries.