The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington D.C. are ramping up their efforts to eliminate unlicensed cannabis businesses, executing a series of joint enforcement actions that have resulted in multiple closures over the past months.
These operations are being conducted under the Medical Cannabis Conditional License and Unlicensed Establishment Closure Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2024, which was enacted on July 15, 2024. This legislation grants the ABCA expanded civil enforcement powers to tackle illegal cannabis operations that pose substantial risks to public health and safety.
On June 9, 2025, ABCA’s Enforcement Division, with assistance from the MPD, executed a Closure Order at District 93, located at 1015 U Street NW. During this operation, the business was cited for illegal activity, leading to the recovery of 3.3 ounces of suspected cannabis, six grams of mushroom edibles, over 1,200 grams of THC resin, as well as a firearm and ammunition.
This closure is just one in a string of recent actions taken against unlicensed cannabis retailers. On May 28, 2025, Wellshroomness, situated at 922 Kennedy Street NW, was shut down and padlocked. Subsequent investigations yielded the seizure of 5.8 pounds of mushrooms and 411 grams of mushroom edibles.
Earlier that month, on May 21, Crown Tobacco at 908 Florida Avenue NW also received an official Closure Order. Following this, investigators discovered approximately five grams of cannabis and 53 grams of THC vape products at the location.
The enforcement actions continued on May 15, 2025, when B&K Convenience Store and Smoke Shop at 2414 18th Street NW was closed for operating as an unlicensed cannabis retailer. At this site, law enforcement seized a staggering 3.8 pounds of cannabis, as well as various amounts of mushrooms, THC edibles, concentrates, and vape products.
Additionally, on May 8, two establishments, Pot Paradise at 521 H Street NE and H & Vape Smoke Shop at 1374 H Street NE, were issued Closure Orders. Investigators at Pot Paradise recovered nearly one pound of cannabis, over three-quarters of a pound of THC edibles, over a pound of mushroom edibles, and an alarming 90,000 grams of THC vapes. Simultaneously, H & Vape Smoke Shop had nearly one pound of cannabis and 94 grams of THC vape products confiscated.
Following these enforcement actions, businesses that receive Closure Orders have the option to request a hearing before the ABC Board. However, before any access to the property can be reinstated, property owners may need to submit a validated remediation plan to prevent future illegal sales on their premises.
The ABC Board retains the authority to impose a hefty fine of $10,000 on each property owner involved. To date, no fines have been issued. Overall, these collaborative enforcement efforts have led to the closure of 57 illegal cannabis businesses across Washington D.C. since the Amendment Act took effect.
With over 50 businesses facing such closures within the past year, many have opted for Offers in Compromise with the ABC Board following enforcement procedures.
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