The nation’s capital has legalized both medical and recreational marijuana, but can anyone really buy weed in DC?
Despite Initiative 71, which is the law that allows for legal recreational use, there is an uncompromising rule stating no purchases or sales of recreational marijuana are allowed. Essentially, DC tells residents you can grow your own DC pot and gift it to others, but you can’t buy or sell it recreationally.
Fortunately, DC residents cleverly found a loophole for getting weed in DC without legal trouble — now there are a ton of recreational dispensaries in DC open where you can buy a sticker, artwork, or T-shirt, and you’re then “gifted” cannabis.
The gifting community is the safe and legal way to buy weed in DC 2021.
In this article, we break down everything you need to learn to safely buy weed in DC, the best Washington DC recreational dispensaries, the best options for how to buy weed in DC, and the top three medical dispensaries in DC.
But before we get to our favorite cannabis stores, you should first understand all the ins and outs of the big question: is weed legal in DC?
Is Weed Legal in DC and Do I Need a Medical Card?
Whether you’re from the city or just visiting the area, the simple answer is yes: you will be able to get your hands on Washington DC weed without a medical card.
Since anyone can obtain recreational cannabis of the same quality as medical marijuana, there’s really no need to wait weeks to get approved for a medical marijuana card. So is weed legal in DC? Yes, medical marijuana is fully legal in DC, and recreational cannabis is legal to consume and gift. This is how the city buys and sells marijuana in DC: through the gifting community.
Through the Initiative 71 loophole, the gifting community was born, which gave way for recreational dispensaries in DC to gift cannabis without the need for a doctor’s recommendation.
The Best Washington DC Recreational Dispensaries
With so many Washington DC recreational dispensaries open, it can be tough trying to figure out how to find weed in DC, which DC weed shops are worth going to, and where you should buy weed in DC.
Not only do you have to assess whether or not a shop’s cannabis products are high-quality, but you have to make sure it is a safe, reliable, and trustworthy storefront that is compliant with I71 gifting regulations before getting weed in DC.
Below are the top four best Washington DC recreational dispensaries that follow these gifting guidelines to ensure you get premium cannabis safely, without sacrificing value.
Where to buy pot in Washington DC:
Legacy DC - DC Recreational Weed
If you're looking for some premium DC pot in the NW area, this Washington DC recreational dispensary is the place for buying pot in DC. Fast service, fun, and with a great selection of all your favorites, Legacy DC is a great spot for getting weed in DC. The store provides premium quality DC recreational weed such as pre-rolls, dry flower, tasty edibles, and even offers merchandise. Buying weed in DC is a breeze with this storefront. You will not be disappointed.
Gifted Curators Recreational Dispensary DC
Gifted Curators is Adams Morgan's #1 Washington DC recreational dispensary storefront, and a great place to buy weed in DC safely. Gifted Curators is a street art gallery with a diverse selection of boutique exotic flower, edibles, and pre-rolls gifted along with your purchase of amazing artwork. Go check out the awesome art in the GC gallery, and safely peruse the selection of top-shelf weed products in the 2nd-floor location.
Peace In the Air Recreational Dispensary Washington DC
Set inside the iconic Adams Morgan clothing store Grindstone Universal, this is a great place to buy weed in DC. You'll get amazing dry flower, edibles, and pre-rolls when you purchase some digital music. If you’re looking for some high-quality DC pot, this is the place for you.
VIP Clientele - Recreational Weed DC
One of the OGs in I71 compliance, VIP Clientele offers some of the better products you'll get from Washington DC recreational dispensaries, including a great selection of premium dry flower and tasty edible options to choose from. If you’re looking to buy weed in DC, you won’t be let down by the VIP Clientele menu.
Finding Edibles in DC
When it comes to edibles in DC, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. DC edibles are a popular choice for those looking to get their high without the potent weed smell or the hassle of having to light up. Weed edibles in DC are also a great option for those with a sweet tooth looking for a nice body buzz.
DC edibles come in an array of choices, such as lollipops, cookies, brownies, gummies and so much more. Finding a recreational dispensary in Washington DC that carries premium THC infused edibles is easy if you know where to look.
Keep reading to find out how to get your hands on some of the best edibles in DC.
Street Lawyer Services - Best DC Edibles
If you’re looking for the best DC edibles that are safe, reliable, and trustworthy, we suggest going through the street Lawyer Services menu. Here you will not only find where to buy edibles in dc, but you can rest assured the products you are receiving are high-quality. They feature a variety of edible options such as THC infused cookies, gummies, bubble gum, skittles, and lollipops! Recreational dispensaries in DC such as this one have so many tasty options for you to choose from to best fit your needs. You can browse through the best weed edibles in DC at this storefront to satisfy your craving!
Where to Buy Edibles in DC Safely
It’s important to know where to buy edibles in DC safely because of the amount of fake edibles circulating the cannabis market. If you aren’t careful, shady storefronts will pass off a product as an edible with misleading THC percentages. Some won’t even contain THC as they claim! To steer clear of counterfeit DC edibles, we suggest sticking with brands that have been verified, such as Street Lawyer Services.
Are Edibles Legal in DC?
Federally speaking, marijuana is illegal from a government standpoint, despite I71 DC weed laws. So are edibles legal in DC then? Not necessarily, but there are still loopholes around this as there is for buying weed in DC. Although you are technically always risking legal trouble, the chances of law enforcement chasing you down for that eighth you just ‘bought’, is highly unlikely. Now if you are blatantly consuming your DC edibles in public and calling attention to yourself, that’s an entirely different story.
Through gifting and I71, you can buy edibles in DC just as you would buy weed in DC, by using proper verbiage and gifting terms such as donations. It is important to understand that you may possess up to 16 ounces of THC infused edibles in solid form and up to 72 ounces in liquid form. This, of course, will depend on where you shop and being careful not to exceed your possession limits to stay on the safe side. Consumption of any DC edibles must also be on private property or the comfort of your own home, never in public and especially not on federal grounds.
3 Tips On How to Buy Weed in DC
If you’re looking to obtain legal pot in DC, you first have to know tips on how to buy weed in DC safely. This entails understanding the DC weed law, how Initiative 71 works, and everything about the gifting community.
Below is everything you’ll want to know on how to buy weed in DC without running into trouble.
Understanding What Initiative 71 Is — and Isn’t
Is recreational marijuana legal in DC? Washington DC weed laws gave birth to Initiative 71, which legalized recreational cannabis to be consumed, but not bought. That is very important to understand, as you are not legally allowed to purchase or pay for DC pot. As far as getting weed in DC goes, you may only be gifted it, without any monetary transactions or exchange of goods taking place. To buy weed in DC would mean breaking the law. It may only be gifted.
Know What Gifting Cannabis Means
Gifting DC pot is the only way the nation's capital has been able to provide recreational marijuana to cannabis consumers. So can you buy marijuana in Washington DC without gifting? Sometimes you can, with options such as cannabis pop-up events, but it is not advisable. Since buying weed in DC is illegal, you must understand that you may never ask about buying pot in DC. Instead, ask if the Washington DC recreational dispensary offers gifting services in order to stay within I71 laws.
What Does the I71 Gifting Process Look Like?
Learning how to buy weed in DC is all about knowing what the gifting process is and how it works. The loophole for buying pot in DC is to buy a non-cannabis product worth the value of the cannabis you wish to receive. Start by asking if the store offers a gifting or donation process, and if they sell artwork, stickers, or merchandise. The staff will then inform you of the different price tags, and you can decide what amount of DC recreational weed you would like to obtain.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Buy Weed In DC?
Is weed legal in Washington DC for users under 21? And can you buy marijuana in DC without an ID? According to I71, you can’t actually buy weed at any age in DC, but you do have to be at least 21 to possess it. When you purchase products from a gifting service, they will want to make sure that you are of a legal age to possess your gift. You will be asked to present a valid form of government-issued identification with any of the above options for buying weed in DC. Make sure you have proper identification when you get your delivery or when getting weed in DC from a store.
The Best Options For Buying Weed in DC
Whether you’re a resident or just visiting the city, it is important to understand all the ways for buying weed in DC.
You may find that more than one of these options is better for you when getting weed in DC, depending on your situation. A delivery service, for example, may have its advantages over visiting a smoke shop in DC when there’s bad weather. Knowing all the alternatives for where to buy weed in DC is important, which is why we’ve provided the best choices for you here.
No matter what your choice is, here are the three easiest ways to buy weed in DC.
1. Use a Trusted Cannabis Directory
This is the best option for buying weed in Washington DC, as you can safely browse and choose from all the best cannabis selections in the city. By using a trusted and verified directory, you can rest assured you will find the best Washington DC recreational dispensary to obtain premium strains in the capital, while staying within DC weed laws.
2. Visit a DC Smoke Shop
Another option to buy weed in DC is to take the direct route. There are plenty of weed stores in DC that sell a variety of items. Of course, you’ll end up paying a higher amount of money for a hat or T-shirt. However, as far as the law is concerned, you did not purchase cannabis, and you’re staying compliant with I71 DC weed laws.
Knowing how to buy pot in DC is important. You don’t have to have an appointment with weed stores like you may have to with delivery services, so it’s pretty easy to get in, make your purchase, and get out. If you want to hang out at a recreational dispensary in DC and take a good look around before buying anything, smoke shops are generally open during normal business hours, so there’s no rush. When you go to a DC weed storefront, ask about the non-cannabis products that are for sale; remember, weed is NOT what you are purchasing.
Whether it's a pair of sunglasses, a T-shirt, or a piece of artwork, that is what you are purchasing. The weed is a free gift that you get when you make your purchase. Determine the number of free gifts you want to receive, then match that up to the product that equals out to the same price. It is important to know how to get weed in DC properly to avoid any legal run-ins. Urban Aroma is DC’s #1 trusted directory for how to buy weed in DC, listing only the safest, most trustworthy, I71-compliant DC weed stores. Check out our Washington DC weed dispensary directory to find your daily high with the best DC pot.
3. Order From a DC Weed Delivery Service
Not big on getting out to buy weed in DC? Another option for how to buy weed in Washington DC is to order weed directly to your door or the location of your choice! To do this, simply find a DC weed delivery service online.
Not all delivery services are up to par, so we did the legwork for you and found the best DC weed delivery services to buy marijuana in DC. Pick your product and wait for the friendly staff to show up with your item and cannabis gift. You will be screened before any delivery is completed. Most delivery services require that you send them a picture of your photo ID before buying pot in DC; some even require that you send a picture of yourself with the ID just to prove that you are who you say you are.
They may also instruct you on where they will and will not deliver in the DC area. Understanding how to buy pot in DC through a DC weed delivery service has its downsides, like distance limits and fees. Be aware that some delivery fees may be higher than others and some services may take longer to deliver depending on where you are. Keep in mind, Washington DC weed delivery is a relatively new concept so delivery times may vary, but your patience will pay off in the end to get premium DC pot.
Other Options for Buying Marijuana in Washington DC
When looking for where to buy pot in Washington DC, there are more alternatives to choose from than the ones given above.
Maybe you want to experiment and have fun at a pop-up event, or maybe you just want to keep it simple and pick up your DC pot instead. Either way, the choice is yours when it comes to buying marijuana in Washington DC!
Below are three more ways for buying marijuana in DC.
1. DC Weed Pop-Ups
What does buying marijuana from a DC pop-up event look like? Picture a farmer’s market or trade show… minus the fruits and veggies, with cannabis instead! This option for buying pot in DC is certainly an experience, but may lead to a run-in with the law if you don’t wisely select the right DC pop-up event. There is no one true way of knowing how to buy weed in DC from a pop-up safely without understanding the consequences that can come with it. Many pop-ups have been caught distributing weed to minors, which is not compliant with I71.
2. DC Pot Pick-Ups
When looking into where to find weed in Washington DC, pickups are a great option. If you don’t want to go to a store to pick anything up, you can make an appointment with a pickup service at various locations. It could be at a hotel, someone’s home, or even a vacation rental like an Airbnb or VRBO. Pickups are a convenient way to buy pot in DC when you need to schedule a designated time for getting marijuana in DC.
3. Marijuana DC Meet-Ups
A cannabis meet-up is a great way to buy weed in DC. It is a meeting that occurs in a public place such as a coffee shop or another establishment where you can get your DC pot Functionally, a meet-up can be the same as curbside pickup that some gifting stores offer.
How to Buy Marijuana in DC Through Online Ordering
Knowing how to buy marijuana in DC is simple when ordering online. Believe it or not, almost all DC recreational dispensaries offer online ordering for their cannabis products. Buying weed in DC through a website only requires you to show proof of age with a valid issued ID. Depending on which weed store in DC you are using, you will then be prompted to either select your choice on pick up, delivery, or meet up. An address will also be needed when choosing your method for getting weed in DC.
Online ordering is another convenient, safe, and reliable option for those who want to buy weed in DC without the hassle of having to go into the store yourself. The only downside to finding marijuana in DC through online ordering, is that you will not have the luxury of viewing your products in person. However, unless you are directly going to the store, any other option you choose to buy pot in DC will require you to use their online ordering system.
Top 3 Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in DC
If you’re curious where to buy weed in Washington DC aside from an I71 store, there is another option. If you have a medical card and would still prefer to try out one of the medical marijuana dispensaries in DC instead of going to the Washington DC recreational dispensaries, we have picked the best options for you that are worth the money.
Below are the top three medical marijuana dispensaries in DC.
1. Takoma Wellness Center DC Medical Dispensary
Takoma Wellness Center is DC’s first and longest-operating medical marijuana dispensary in DC. Serving DC pot strictly only for medical users, this dispensary in DC has been open since 2013, and is a great option for those with a medical card looking to buy weed in DC safely. Takoma Wellness offers flower, pre-rolls, vaporizers, premium concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals, CBD, cannabis accessories, and has a patient reward program for those frequently looking to buy marijuana in DC from a trusted source.
2. National Holistic Healing Center Medical Dispensary in DC
If you have a medical card and need marijuana in DC, National Holistic Healing Center is a great choice for DC pot. This weed store in DC carries over 100 medical marijuana products ranging from dry flower, pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates, topicals, and cannabis accessories. Knowing how to get weed in DC is easy with the National Holistic Healing Center. They even provide a pick up and delivery option for those buying weed in Washington DC.
3. Noble Gas DC Dispensary
If you’re buying medical marijuana in Washington DC, Noble Gas has a great selection of concentrates, pre-rolls, edibles, cartridges, dry flower, and CBD. Noble Gas offers both pick up and delivery options and daily deals and discounts for buying pot in DC. This medical marijuana dispensary in DC also has a black card membership.
How to Get Your Medical Marijuana Card in DC
If you still prefer to go to a medical dispensary and need to know how to get your medical marijuana card in DC, the process is simple, but it requires a waiting period. To obtain a medical marijuana card to buy weed in DC, you need to:
1. Book an appointment (the appointment may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on your doctor or underlying condition).
2. Consult with an MMJ doctor to receive your patient ID.
3. Get approved (this process can take weeks).
Medical marijuana has been legal in Washington DC since 2010 and recognizes medical cards from the following states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
To make purchases at legal marijuana dispensaries in Washington DC, you need to bring your medical marijuana card that was issued by your state, your photo ID issued by the same state, and for first-time visitors, you’ll need to bring the information to contact your physician who recommended that you be eligible for medical marijuana. You will not be given access to medical dispensaries without the above documents, and they must be up to date before buying any Washington DC weed. To safely learn how to buy weed in DC medically, you must know your possession limits.
You may purchase up to 4 ounces of DC pot within a 30-day period and may not purchase more marijuana in DC until 30 days have elapsed. The most you are allowed to give away to another person is one ounce, but you may not be paid for it in any way, including cash, goods, or services.
Where to Smoke Weed in DC
Even though weed is legal to possess in Washington DC, you can't just smoke it anywhere. So how do you know where to smoke weed in DC?
There are restrictions in place that do not allow you to smoke weed in public, so if you want to smoke anywhere other than your home, you'll need to find other private spaces to do it in. Smoking in public carries a not-so-hefty $25 fine, but hey, who wants trouble with the law when you can avoid it?
You can smoke your DC pot in private spaces like your home, but you may not smoke in private establishments that are open to the public, such as bars, stores, or any other similar establishment. Marijuana in DC may not be smoked on federal property, military property, or at any of the national parks or monuments in the DC area. You must be careful when looking for where to smoke weed in DC. Federal law enforcement will enforce the law if you are caught doing it. Be aware that the penalty for smoking in public can be a maximum of a $500 fine or 60 days in jail. Smoking weed in your vehicle is also illegal, and your first offense will be a misdemeanor DUI that could carry a maximum penalty of $1000 or 6 months in jail.
Finding Marijuana in DC Friendly Accommodations - Private Property
Now that you know where to find weed in Washington DC, you’ll most likely want to know where to find friendly accommodations for smoking marijuana in DC.
Luckily you have a few options. Whether it’s a marijuana lounge or a rented out 420-friendly property, you can be confident that these designated smoking areas will be safe and free of law enforcement giving you trouble. However, the safest route would be to smoke in the comfort of your own home. Not only is it legal to do so, but you are least likely to attract any unwanted attention from other people.
We advise you to always check with your leaseholder or property owner in case marijuana use is not allowed or restricted.
Smokers Club Marijuana Lounge
Regular cannabis lounges are hot on the heels of coffee shops in terms of popularity where weed has been legalized. You can't buy weed inside of the lounges themselves, but they are typically not far from an Initiative 71 compliant gifting service where you will be able to buy weed in DC.
A Smokers Club such as The SpaceShip however, is a place where you can get free weed gifts and donations, and is essentially a safe haven where stoners and marijuana enthusiasts can get together and smoke comfortably inside a marijuana lounge. Whether lighting up a blunt, joint, or consuming tasty DC edibles, there’s a smoke spot for anyone looking for where to smoke weed in DC.
Follow The SpaceShip for free I71 gift updates and locations!
Smoking Weed In DC At an Airbnb
If you need to know where to smoke weed in DC, places like VRBO and Airbnb have filters that let you search for properties that will allow you to smoke DC pot while browsing the listings. 420-friendly properties are common in places where weed is legal for recreational use. Some properties will even give you a free gift!
Growing Legal Pot in DC
Even though retail sales of marijuana in DC are banned, you can still grow a small number of plants for your own personal use. If you are over 21 and don’t want to go to a recreational dispensary to buy weed in DC, you may grow up to 6 plants in your residence as long as no more than half are flowering at any given time. If you live with another adult, your household may have up to 12 plants. You may not grow cannabis if your home is within 1000 feet of a public building, daycare center, swimming pool, youth activity center, public housing, library, or arcade. You may also not grow any Washington DC weed in a house where anyone is under the age of 21.
So Can You Buy Weed in Washington DC?
Is pot legal in Washington DC? You can definitely buy weed in DC, especially if you abide by the DC weed laws. The community is adjusting to Initiative 71, and new ways to get marijuana in DC are blossoming for all the marijuana enthusiasts out there. That’s why knowing how to buy weed in DC safely is so important.
Now that you know everything you need to know for buying weed in DC, where to buy weed in DC, and how to get weed in DC without legal trouble, you should be well on your way to buying pot in DC. No matter if it’s DC recreational dispensaries or medical, rest assured you will be able to get your hands on some premium Washington DC weed in the city.