DC Authorities Shut Down 50th Illegal Cannabis Shop
In a significant crackdown on illegal cannabis activity, DC authorities have shut down the 50th illegal cannabis shop in the city. The latest raid took place on Thursday afternoon at Orbit D.C., a shop located on 18th Street in Northwest DC, which was found to be selling illegal cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms.
According to police, undercover officers had made several purchases from the shop over the past few weeks, revealing that the illegal cannabis was not grown at a licensed cultivator in the District. The shop also had a legal medical cannabis license, but it was being used to sell illegal products.
The raid was part of a larger effort to shut down illegal cannabis shops in the city, which began last summer after the DC Council passed a new law aimed at addressing the issue. Since then, hundreds of owners have been sent warning letters and cease-and-desist orders, and many have been raided and padlocked for non-compliance.
The DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) has been working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to crack down on illegal cannabis activity. According to ABCA Director Fred Moosally, the effort has been effective in promoting a legal medical cannabis market and ensuring public health and safety.
“We’re committed to responsibly growing DC’s medical cannabis program to ensure patients have access to a diverse range of cannabis products that are free from harmful substances,” Moosally said. “Our ongoing closure of illegal cannabis shops benefits patients, strengthens the licensed medical cannabis sectors, and the overall safety of our neighborhoods.”
The ABCA has also reported that 17 owners have been criminally charged and 50 illegal cannabis shops have been closed to date. Meanwhile, 45 businesses have gone from being unlicensed to operating in the legal medical cannabis market.
The DC authorities are urging residents to report suspected illegal cannabis shops and product sales using the ABCA’s online form. The public can also submit anonymous tips to help maintain a safe and healthy medical cannabis market.
