Our Favorite DC Edibles

When DC first legalized weed, it was super interesting to see the local community enthusiastically raise the bar for what cannabis edibles could look like. I attended pop-up events with infused chicken wings, pizzas, ice cream, cotton candy, and way, way more. Those are the ones that made an impression on me because I eat like a child. As the pop-ups went, so, largely, did the work of these ingenious chefs (though I’m sure you can still find some on Instagram to cater your next hootenanny). Now firmly in the storefront era of I-71, embers of that original fervor can still be found, and I want to share some of my personal favorites with you. 

This list is in no way exhaustive or in any particular order. What I want to do here is give you peace of mind about some common edibles you’ll find at I-71 services today, the ones I’ve tested personally and can confirm are effective. Y’know, just in case you want to avoid smelling like weed around your family this holiday season. 

How Cannabis Laws in DC May Be Shifting - 2022 Update!

All these great storefronts and delivery services that gift cannabis in Washington DC could be going away very soon. After several failed attempts to outright ban them by statute by DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and his allies, a Joint Task Force (I think that’s supposed to be a pun) of various regulatory bodies in the city will work together to inspect I-71 stores for compliance along all lines of their purview after Labor Day. They’ll make sure these businesses are properly licensed, don’t present fire hazards, and pay taxes, which sounds fine and fair on the surface. However, the announcement from ABRA (which regulates medical cannabis in DC) seems purposefully vague on the most important question- will these businesses be penalized for gifting cannabis? It is a foregone conclusion amongst these legacy business owners that the Department of Health will penalize edibles not made in a DC-licensed kitchen, so that product class will disappear, as may concentrates and vape cartridges, which are not specifically legalized by Initiative 71. The second question is what kind of penalties are these bodies capable of levying? It has been noted by the DC Council that ongoing raids by the Metropolitan Police Department typically only derail operations by a few days. I think the intent here is obvious- these agencies will be tasked to carry out their inspections with an eye towards even the smallest infractions in a bare-faced attempt to end the most equitable cannabis market in the nation. What this means for you, dear reader, is that we expect to see more services move to delivery and meet up models in the near future. Stay tuned, it’s going to get crazy next week!

Quick Reminder on How to Get Cannabis in Washington DC

Whether you casually consume edibles from time to time or even if you eat them regularly, finding the best weed edibles in DC can feel like a never-ending mission. Without the proper knowledge, you may find yourself on the wrong side of the law. 

If you're a first-time buyer, it is important to understand that the I-71 law allows anyone in the DC area to gift up to an ounce of cannabis. 

When you purchase a product in DC from a cannabis delivery service, you are receiving the marijuana as a gift. Here is everything you need to know about getting cannabis the legal way in DC. 

With a Medical Card

There are six licensed dispensaries in DC where you’ll need a medical marijuana card to visit. However, most dispensaries accept out-of-state cards or use DC's I-71 gifting services. 

When purchasing cannabis or cannabis products at one of these licensed dispensaries, you will need a state-issued photo ID, current state-issued medical marijuana card, or other state-issued documents. 

Keep in mind that if you forget your documents, these licensed DC dispensaries will not let you shop. While medical marijuana patients may visit their local dispensary as much as they'd like, they may not purchase more than four ounces within a 30-day period. As soon as your previous purchase becomes more than 30 days old, you will be able to purchase cannabis again. 

Without a Medical Card

While cannabis is now legal in Washington, there are no licensed recreational businesses or dispensaries to purchase marijuana products. Initiative 71 was passed by the city with a rider that prevented recreational DC dispensaries from being set up. 

Despite this, DC's I-71 gifting services give any adult over the age of 21 the opportunity to possess, grow, or receive cannabis as a gift. Adults over the age of 21 may only grow up to six marijuana plants at a time, three of which must be mature or flowering. 

Adults may carry up to two ounces of cannabis on their person in public. You may only share up to an ounce of marijuana with another adult 21 years or older. No medical card is required to order Washington DC weed delivery, and you can get edibles delivered to your hotel, apartment, or even a nearby café.

The consumption and sale of marijuana are legal in Washington for recreational and medical use, but the commercial sale of cannabis or cannabis products is still illegal. Marijuana was approved for recreational purposes in 2015 following the passage of Initiative 71, which allows DC residents and tourists who do not carry a medical card to receive cannabis products like edibles as a gift. 

Some weed shops in the DC area have taken it upon themselves to help DC residents sell small items like pencils or art and gift customers with free cannabis to show their appreciation. If you're visiting a DC dispensary for medical purposes, you will have to provide them with your medical card. 

Smoking in public in DC is illegal, and if you're caught, you will incur a fine. Because cannabis is not yet federally legal, weed delivery services won't deliver to any federal ground or building, and many do not operate east of the Anacostia River. Tourists and out-of-state visitors may utilize DC's cannabis delivery services to buy edibles.

Best Edibles in DC

Athena’s Gifts Baked Goods

It’s rare to find weed edibles infused with marijuana flower in 2021. The industry as a whole has moved to distillate, as it’s far easier to ensure accurate dosages. My personal preference is for flower-infused edibles, as the experience tends to be a lighter, brighter, more organic high. Athena’s Gifts honors these ancient ways, so when the Gentleman wants to get thoroughly stoned, this is what I reach for.

 

Athena's gifts baked goods

 

Athena’s Gifts has a fantastic edibles menu of cookies, cereal bars, and brownies along with a rotating specialty selection, like cheesecakes! All of it is made fresh locally (and also available from Lucky Chuckie). Oh! They also make infused juices and tinctures. The dosages may not be strictly accurate — if you’re new to weed, start slow and gauge your tolerance. Eat like, a quarter of a cookie. If you’re a daily smoker, have at it! Now, I want to acknowledge that daily cannabis users, especially dab aficionados, are going to have a tough time feeling high from flower-infused edibles. I’ve come up with a solution to our problem, friends! Don’t rely on the edible alone. Smoke something along with it, and you’ll feel a boost as the edible comes on that is unmistakably higher than your baseline. You are welcome.

Puff Kings Gummies

What I like most about Puff Kings’ edible selection is the many options that include THC and CBD in the same product. This eases the weight of a THC-only edible high considerably, making it a more relaxing and long-lasting experience. It’ll still help you sleep at night, but it won’t knock you out in the middle of the day at responsible dosages. In my experience, this synergy is also better at relieving pain and anxiety. There’s some research that indicates CBD acts as a neuroprotectant against the side effects of THC, like memory loss. I really can’t stress enough what a beneficial combination these cannabinoids make.

 

Puff Kings Gummies

 

Puff Kings typically offers impeccably crafted gummies, chocolates, cake pops, rice krispy treats, and brownies. Every so often, they come up with something really unique, like infused buffalo sauce in the summer and infused cornbread kits in the fall.  Commendably, they’ve offered giveaways of their CBD-only edibles frequently throughout the pandemic. Great folks, great products, what’s not to love?

Adose Wellness Gummies

Adose Wellness is a solid new addition to Washington DC’s weed edibles scene! Their core menu features some unique takes on crisped rice treats, like Churro and Strawberry White Chocolate, along with a wide selection of gummies to satisfy the sophisticated palate of any candy connoisseur. Blue Raspberry, Blackberry Lemon, and Peach Bellini are but a few of the many options available for your consideration. 

adose wellness dc weed edibles gummy photo

Adose Wellness’ infused treats are then categorized by potency and cannabinoid profile. Precise dosing, therefore, is of paramount importance, so naturally these are distillate-based products. Newcomers can feel at ease with low-dose THC at Level 1 or the CBD dominant combo at Level 2. Level 3 is a balanced 1:1 dose with 5mg of THC and 5mg of CBD, still not intimidating. Level 4 edibles contain what is becoming the industry standard, 10mg of THC per serving, and Level 5 caps us out at 20mg THC/dose. No matter which gift you choose, you get 10 servings- so a S’mores crisped Rice Treat at Level 5 will contain 200mg total.  

I got to try out Adose Wellness’ gummy edibles myself recently. I ended up taking 60mg THC from half a dozen Level 4 Sour Watermelon gummies, which, yes, I know I could have eaten three Level 5s, let an old man have his candy, dammit! Then I supplanted that with a single Raspberry Level 2 (7.5mg of CBD, 2.5mg of THC). And then I fell asleep on the couch at 9pm, watching Matlock reruns, I presume. Ok, so maybe 62.5mg of THC is too much for me these days. I tried again, this time just 30mg, and had a nice, manageable buzz for the next couple of hours. Oh, and aside from their perfectly balanced flavor, the texture on Adose Wellness’ gummies is better than store-bought.

District Elixir Syrups

District Elixir is one of my favorite new DC edible finds and I’ll tell you why- their products are full-spectrum, flower-infused, strain-specific, and they take great strides to accurately measure dosing despite the inherent challenge. They offer classic baked goods like snickerdoodles, ginger snaps, and chocolate chip cookies in mini- and full-size options along with their cannabis syrups packed in medicine droppers. That’s a really great detail, because once you’ve figured out the right dose for you, you can dial it in with extreme precision. Syrups can be added to drinks to work as an edible- District Elixir suggests adding theirs to hot beverages like coffee or tea- but they’re sweet enough that you can drink them straight. 

district elixir dc weed edible syrup cookies photo

While my own tolerance is still higher than the average bear, I know someone that has a terminally low threshold for ingested cannabis, so of course I ply them with edibles to find out how effective they are at low dosages. In this case, our tester was significantly stoned from eating a quarter of a miniature ginger snap, which equates to roughly 6mg of THC from Gary Payton flower. Personally, and especially on weekends, if it’s flower-infused then I’ll throw projected potency concerns out the window and just go for it. In this case, I ate a 150mg+ THC snickerdoodle made with Bubba OG. Onset took about 45 minutes, after which I enjoyed a relaxed and upbeat mood for the next couple of hours, a nice little window to get some quality time in with the Playstation and advance my quest for the Elden Ring.     

What were we talking about? Oh yeah, I tried District Elixir’s syrups, too, which is a good option if you’re counting calories. The package of 5 droppers, 1mL each, contained approximately 90mg of Zookies-infused syrup altogether, which I drank straight. It tastes almost like..hemp and honey? Regardless, onset was faster with this method of ingestion, closer to 30 minutes before my mind started to mellow and my anxieties all floated away. What was I doing again? Ah, right. Elden Ring. Excuse me.

Treats by Tre Ice Cream

Treats by Tre has been around the DC cannabis scene since the early pop-up days of I-71, but I finally got a chance to try them out and learn how long, regrettably, I've been missing out. Their edibles are all full-spectrum infused coconut oil created with flower from TbT's own garden. They offer dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free options across their menu of baked goods, chocolates, candies, and their most unique product line, frozen treats like ice cream and gelato. Fantastic so far, yeah? What really takes Treats by Tre to the next level is the lengths they've gone to ensure accurate dosing despite the challenges flower-based edibles present, by calibrating their in-house potency testing equipment's results against a trusted lab. Single-serving dosages are geared toward casual users, but there's no law that says you can't eat an entire pint of ice cream to yourself and I'm certainly not going to tell anyone.

treats by tre weed ice cream

 

That's a bit much for me, so I went hard on a Treats by Tree Cheesecake Brownie instead, downing the lot in-between meals. I started buzzing before I even made it up to kickstart the mental festivities with a joint, about 30 minutes later. Post-smoke and I found myself once again in The Zone, enthralled by the new Yu-gi-oh Master Duel game for the next 2.5 hours. The comedown was smooth and organic- no KO at the end of this ride, I just slid slowly back out of that altered state of consciousness and went about my evening, though I did enjoy a great night's sleep after.    

MOTA Tinctures

Don’t let the fancy new packaging with the candy skulls fool you — the MOTA brand of edibles has been around since the early days of I-71, supplying this city with some of the most consistently potent products around. I’ve tried just about every type of their locally-made distillate-based edibles and they all work: the hard candies, the gummies, the rice krispy treats, you name it. Their tincture, however, is the best I’ve had anywhere.

THC Mota Tincture

 

Tinctures can function like an everyday edible when added to a drink, with a typical onset between 25-60 minutes. But you can also take a tincture sublingually, which means under your tongue if you don’t feel like Googling it. When I tried a sublingual application with MOTA’s tincture, I was high AF in five minutes, and it subsided after a couple hours, like I had smoked a joint (ingested edibles usually last much longer). Mercifully, MOTA tinctures do not burn, so you can keep them under your tongue long enough to get every precious molecule of THC in your bloodstream. 

These days, you can find MOTA edibles at almost every storefront in town. I know for a fact that The Garden and All the Buzz keep them in stock!

Georgetown Kushcakes Truffles

Georgetown Kushcakes creates upscale desserts to delight foodies and cannaseurs alike. They concentrate primarily on two products that you’ll find in I-71 storefronts across the city: truffles and gummies. The gummies come in exotic flavors like pomegranate, lime, and tangerine. The everyday truffle lineup is Chocolate Chip, Milkshake, Mint Chip, and Peanut Butter, but they also release seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Spice and Red Velvet Cake. Speaking of seasons, they’ll break out some special treats every now and again to spice things up. Earlier this year they had jars of crème brûlée available and for the holidays, they’re breaking out the fudge!

Georgetown Kushcakes Truffles

 

Georgetown Kushcakes typically uses distillate for their edibles for guaranteed potency, which I can personally attest to, but they did release a collaborative truffle project this year that used live hash rosin! I haven’t had the pleasure of trying that one yet. My own sweet spot for the distillate version was at three-quarters of one 75mg truffle (they come in ornately designed boxes of four 75mg truffles in a 300mg pack, or a single 200mg truffle). More than that would have put a daily smoker like me to sleep, but I could coast on a little less than 75mg, man, really let my ass breathe. If you have a low tolerance, or don’t know your tolerance, then you want waaaaay less than that. Just nibble out 10mg.

Jackpots Gummies

Jackpots are vegan and gluten free gummy cubes that you’ll find in some of DC’s favorite I-71 shops like Gifted Curators, Legacy, and Peace in the Air. They come in brightly illustrated jars of 20 weighing in at 20mg of THC per piece, so you end up with 400mg. I had the chance to try these out myself recently. I had a 7 hour Amtrak ride, 'cuz I hate the whole experience of flying so much that I’d rather my trip take twice as long to avoid it. I’m not scared of crashing, I just loathe being rushed, taking off my belt so that my pants fall off my ass, my shoulders being cramped in the seat, and on top of all that, it doesn’t even feel like you’re moving. I mean, sure, you’re going faster than a train, but it feels like you’re in stasis. Shark’s gotta swim, man! What were we talking about?

Jackpots Gummies

 

Oh yeah, so I popped 2.5 Jackpot gummies for a total of 50mg before I got on the train. Within an hour, I zonked out, and caught up on some much needed sleep. I was roused about 90 minutes later feeling fine, no lingering oogey-ness in my head. That’s how you know you’ve got your dose right, you don’t wake up drained and fog-brained. Jackpots, baby!

A Cure by Design Plus Gummies

Talk about a blast from the past! If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you might remember me talking about A Cure by Design Plus from the old pop-up days and how their CBD tincture was a godsend when I got back from my cross-country roadtrip. My leg was jacked the hell up and A Cure’s tincture was the only thing that relaxed my muscle spasms long enough to sleep. I was slapping it on three times a day for the first month, at which point I was able to reduce it down to an as-needed basis. 

 

A Cure by Design Plus Gummies

 

I happened to be in No Kids Allowed recently and what did I find? A Cure by Design Plus’ RSO-infused gummies and syrups! I am so glad to see these great folks represented in I-71 storefronts! In case you’re not in the know, RSO stands for Rick Simpson Oil, a.k.a. whole-plant extraction. Anecdotal evidence suggests that blending up every bit of the cannabis plant, roots and all, is its most medically potent form. A Cure by Design also makes Delta-8 THC and CBD-only versions of their products for sale in area hemp and head shops.

Best Weed Delivery Services in DC

Getting your hands on cannabis edibles in the DC area might seem complicated, but you actually have access to some of the premier weed delivery services the nation's capital offers. 

Several marijuana delivery services will bring your favorite cannabis products like edibles, vapes, topicals, and even flower right to your front door. Here are some of our favorite delivery services brands and what you can expect when ordering from one of these systems. 

Fat Budz DC

Fat Budz DC offers same-day weed delivery with any $100 minimum order. They have flower, pre-roll, and edible options available. They boast an impressive flower menu with 20 strains that are divided into three categories, including "Fat Budz Best," "Extreme," and "Ultimate." 

Overall, the experience with Fat Budz DC is hassle-free, and they offer timely communication, delivery, and assistance. 

Bagged Buds

With over 400 five-star reviews on Where's Weed, Bagged Buds is a reliable option with reasonably priced flower. They offer a variety of flower, tincture, shatter, edible, rosin, badder, and crumble options. Featuring guaranteed delivery in 60-90 minutes or less, Bagged Buds provides customers with high-quality products and discreet, knowledgeable service. 

DMV 42 ZERO

Receiving only 5-star reviews on Google, this is a delivery service you can put your trust in. They offer a wide range of cannabis flower, edible, and concentrate options. 

Their website boasts an interface that is easy to follow and understand with a four-step ordering process. DMV 42 ZERO requires a donation of $200 at a minimum and requests cash on delivery. 

Lucky Chuckie 

With one of the fastest delivery times (between 30 minutes to an hour), this delivery service is I-71 compliant. They offer everything from premium cannabis flower strains like Gorilla Glue to THC Infused drinks. One of Lucky Chuckie's weed experts can advise you on their products to ensure your experience is unforgettable. 

Our Favorite DC Dispensaries 

When medical marijuana was legalized in DC, various dispensaries and vendors seemed to pop up almost daily. While stores cannot yet sell cannabis to adults 21 years or older, some recreational dispensaries are Initiative 71 compliant businesses and may gift adult consumers with cannabis products. The DC legal marijuana market can be divided into two categories: medical and recreational. 

The most important thing to note when buying weed edibles through Initiative 71 is that you are receiving the cannabis as a gift. If you're wondering where to find I-71 compliant DC recreational weed brands, look no further. Here is a list of our top recommendations to ensure you're provided with quality service and gifts. 

Legacy DC 

Find a number of your favorite cannabis strains at Legacy DC. They offer a great selection of cannabis products and awesome deals. Legacy DC also sells incredible and creative digital prints by local artists. Feel free to pick up a complimentary present like pre-rolls, flower, or other sweets to accompany your artwork. 

Street Lawyer Services 

Street Lawyer Services offer a unique experience that is very different from what you're used to with most DC cannabis dispensaries. Located on Georgia Avenue near Howard University, the shop doubles as a marketing office for Lonny's law firm and sells coupons for redeemable legal services and complimentary cannabis gifts. 

The selection at SLS is vast, and they offer some of the most exotic strains DC has to offer. SLS also provides a wide variety of THC edibles, chocolates, cookies, gummies, jellies, and honey. 

Hidden Gym 

Located in the Logan Circle area of Washington DC, Hidden Gym is an I-71-compliant weed shop that believes in the power of cannabis fueling any workout. 

Get in touch with a Hidden Gym cannabis expert who can educate you on the type of products they carry, including cannabis products with active ingredients such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). 

These ingredients have been known to ease anxiety and pain so people can feel more comfortable and have greater endurance through an exercise session. 

Gifted Curators 

One of the first I-71-compliant cannabis dispensaries in DC, Gift Curators boasts over 2,0000 five-star reviews and a wide variety of top-notch strains updated monthly. When you enter the store, it is filled with beautiful graffiti murals and street art. 

Their budtenders are friendly and can advise you on what strains you should buy, guiding you through the gifting process. If you're interested in LA quality cannabis, Gifted Curators has the best selection of hard-hitting strains at reasonable price points. They also have an edible gift menu with incredibly potent options, like Baghead boys, or edible brands for beginners like Mello Bars. 

In order to be gifted cannabis from a recreational shop correctly, you should first ask to see their cannabis gift menu. A member of the dispensaries staff will gladly show you what gifts are available in stock. 

For instance, you'll want to ask, "Which tee-shirt, art piece, or pencil comes with free weed edibles?" The budtender will then explain what purchase you have to make to receive the free gift, and your transaction will be complete. When ordering delivery, to prove you are over 21, you will need to send a picture of your ID and a selfie.  

Our Favorite Edible Brands Circulating the DC Area 

With the recent legalization of weed, the local DC community has begun to raise the bar regarding what a weed edible might look, feel, and taste like. 

Nowadays, you can find everything from THC-infused drinks to pizza and candy. This is in addition to the numerous cannabis delivery services and I-71 compliant stores selling every THC consumable you could ever imagine. 

If you're a beginner to cannabis edibles, determining which brands you can trust may seem tricky, and if you're not careful, you could fall victim to some questionable ingredients. When buying and consuming cannabis edibles, it is important to find a brand that delivers consistent and high-quality, lab-tested results. 

Here are some weed edible options we recommend to DC residents and tourists.

Best Gummies in DC 

Adose Wellness Gummies 

Adose Wellness gummies are infused treats that can be categorized by their potency level and cannabinoid profile. With a wide selection of gummy flavors like Blackberry Lemon and Blue Rasberry, this brand is an excellent addition to the DC cannabis edible scene and sure to delight even the hardest-to-impress edible consumer. 

Jackpots Gummies 

These vegan, gluten-free gummy cubes can be found at several DC I-71 compliant shops such as Legacy and Gifted Curators. They come in a brightly illustrated jar that contains 20 gummies at 20 mg of THC per piece. 

Best Tinctures in DC 

MOTA Tinctures 

The fancy packaging with the candy skulls is enough to make you pick up one of MOTA brand's amazing tinctures that can function like an edible when you add it to drinks. 

You can also take a full dropper of the tincture by placing it under your tongue and giving the THC some time to absorb into your bloodstream before swallowing. It can take anywhere from 25-60 minutes for the effects of the tincture to be felt completely. 

District Elixir 

District Elixir is a DC edible brand that provides full-spectrum, flower-infused, and strain-specific products. The brand's syrups are a good option for anyone currently watching their calories, and the taste is the perfect mixture between hemp and honey. 


 

Find Access to DC Cannabis Today

Whether you're a regular consumer of weed edibles or a first-timer, at Gentleman Toker, we're proud to provide the DC community with a directory containing information about where and what to shop for to fulfill all your cannabis needs. 

Consider our easy-to-navigate guide before partaking if you're looking for the best place to get edibles in the DC area. Consider taking a look at our website, where we provide reviews of different strains and cannabis products gifted in smoke shops in your local area.