The cannabis landscape in Washington DC has changed a lot since I founded this site way back in 2016. Today, the only legal way to purchase cannabis is to get a medical marijuana card and purchase it from a medical cannabis dispensary. The good news is that this is very, very easy to do, even for visitors. The better news is that Initiative 71 weed gift stores were offered a path to become licensed businesses under the auspices of the District’s medical marijuana program. Several of them have already opened up for licensed business and many more are still working their way through the program. I’ll share my thoughts about the dispensaries that I’ve visited and which brand has the best weed for your dollar.
BEST MEDICAL WEED IN DC
Alternative Solutions is beyond doubt the best cultivator in Washington DC’s medical marijuana program. District Cannabis has some good strains (Cherry Chem gets a lot of love) and I’ve been fond of Abatin’s products for years, but no one- no one- is doing it better than AltSol these days. The flowers are elite and worthy of discussion on a national level in my opinion, which should count for something considering I’ve spent the best part of a decade traveling the country looking for the best cannabis. Personally, their Bruce Banner always hits the spot, but AltSol only puts out bangers these days. Check it out and see for yourself.
What I like about Abatin Wellness’ products, especially from a medical card holder’s perspective, is their focus on CBD + THC formulations. Even their flower is available in a range of different ratios (2:1, 3:1, and so on), which is fantastic news if you’re looking for something very specific.
BEST DC DISPENSARIES
My favorite place to score some of that high-test Alternative Solutions weed is Herbal Alternatives and the reason why is simple- they’re the only one I know of that sells marijuana deli-style. That means you can watch your bud tender open up a metal container packed full of buds, weigh them out in front of you, and clip the stems. That’s service. That’s value. I don’t know if any of the new shops are going to offer that, but I hope so. It does make service slow and street parking is tough, while the actual parking garage is so tight I scraped my car against a column getting out. So the best dispensary for you is all about your priorities.
If you want to check out the newly licensed dispensaries, then you have lots to choose from. Wash Hydro in Adams Morgan has been around since the very beginning and I’m really stoked to see them licensed and legit. Green Label definitely knows their way around quality flower. Chocolate City Wellness is near Dupont Circle and I was impressed with their professionalism and pre-rolls.
If you want to give some love to the medical marijuana stores that have been holding the program down for years, I can recommend Takoma Wellness Center (they have a parking lot) as a family-owned business with a passion for serving their patients. Dr. Chanda Macias has been a leader on the national stage for the cannabis industry for many years and her dispensary, National Holistic Healing Center, is located in Dupont Circle. Anacostia Organics was the first dispensary to open east of the river, making medical cannabis more accessible for residents of Wards 7 and 8.
How Do You Get a DC Medical Marijuana Card?
It couldn’t be easier for visitors to the Nation’s Capital to get a medical marijuana card. You can self-testify that you need one right at the dispensary. There is no need to visit an MMJ doctor first. The dispensary is happy to help you fill out the paperwork and get approved right away. You will need your state ID, like a driver’s license. You don’t even need to be a resident- there are temporary cards available. I got one to get some of that sweet AltSol flower I told you about earlier and it was easy and quick to do it myself online- the card hit my inbox 30 minutes later. You can’t get pizza delivered that fast!
The process is a little different if you’re a DC resident, you’ll need to prove your residency, too (typically you’d use a utility bill). If you prefer to DIY your application- maybe to save some time- you absolutely can. Here’s the link that will take you to both resident and non-resident versions of the form.