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Where Can I Buy Weed In Washington DC

Your definitive guide to Washington DC's licensed medical dispensaries, from the historic Takoma Wellness to the new Cookies DC flagship

Washington DC’s cannabis landscape underwent a dramatic transformation in 2025. Gone are the days of the “gifting economy” – as of March 31, 2025, the only legal way to purchase cannabis in the nation’s capital is through licensed medical dispensaries. The good news? Getting a medical card is easier than ever, with DC residents able to obtain a free medical card through online self-certification in just 10 minutes. With licensed retailers spread across all 8 Wards, from Georgetown to Anacostia, the District offers more legal access points than ever before. Before you visit, explore Herb’s comprehensive strain guides to understand which varieties might best suit your needs.

Key Takeaways

  • Medical-only market: DC operates under a medical-only cannabis system as of March 2025, with over 70 licensed dispensaries replacing the previous gifting model
  • Free medical cards: DC residents 21+ can get a FREE medical cannabis card through online self-certification, valid for 2 years
  • Tourist-friendly: Visitors can obtain temporary medical cards ranging from $10-$100 depending on duration
  • Premium pricing: DC has some of the nation’s highest cannabis prices, averaging $597 per ounce for high-quality flower compared to the national average of $326
  • Geographic distribution: Ward 2 (Downtown/Dupont) has one of the highest concentrations of dispensaries in the city, while Wards 7 & 8 (East of the River) remain relatively underserved with far fewer licensed options

U Street Corridor & Columbia Heights (Ward 1)

1. Firehouse DC

Firehouse DC anchors the historic U Street corridor with its luxury retail environment and premium cannabis selection. Located in the heart of DC’s cultural district, this dispensary combines knowledgeable staff with a sophisticated shopping experience that caters to both cannabis connoisseurs and newcomers.

The dispensary’s central location near the U Street Metro makes it easily accessible, while its commitment to quality ensures you’ll find top-shelf products in every category.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Premium flower selection: Custom in-house blends and exclusive cultivars from top local growers
  • Comprehensive product range: Extensive selection of edibles, vapes, pre-rolls, and concentrates
  • Luxury retail environment: Upscale shopping experience with professional, knowledgeable staff
  • Same-day delivery: Convenient delivery service available throughout the District

Best For: Cannabis enthusiasts seeking premium products, U Street visitors, those wanting a luxury retail experience

Location & Hours:

  • 912 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

2. Cookies DC

Cookies DC represents the national brand’s East Coast flagship, bringing exclusive Cookies genetics and premium cannabis products to the Shaw neighborhood. Opened in July 2025, this location offers the largest selection in the District and serves as the exclusive DC home for authentic Cookies strains.

The dispensary’s prime location near the U Street Metro and commitment to brand authenticity make it a destination for strain enthusiasts and collectors.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Exclusive Cookies strains: Only dispensary besides Takoma Wellness with authentic Cookies genetics
  • National brand authenticity: Guaranteed genuine Cookies products and merchandise
  • Premium product selection: High-end flower, vapes, edibles, and concentrates
  • Free same-day delivery: Comprehensive delivery service throughout DC

Best For: Cookies strain enthusiasts, collectors seeking authentic brand products, those wanting the newest dispensary experience

Location & Hours:

  • 1115 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

3. Green Label

Green Label serves the Columbia Heights community with a curated selection of premium cannabis products in a welcoming retail environment. This dispensary focuses on quality over quantity, offering carefully vetted flower, concentrates, and edibles from trusted cultivators and manufacturers.

The Columbia Heights location provides convenient access for residents of Ward 1 and surrounding neighborhoods, with knowledgeable staff ready to guide your selection.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Curated flower selection: Carefully chosen strains from reputable local cultivators
  • Quality concentrates and vapes: Premium extraction products with verified lab testing
  • Diverse edibles: Wide range of infused products for various dietary preferences
  • Community-focused service: Staff dedicated to serving the Columbia Heights neighborhood

Best For: Columbia Heights residents, quality-focused shoppers, those seeking personalized service

Location & Hours:

  • 3401 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20010
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

Downtown & Dupont Circle (Ward 2)

4. National Holistic Healing Center

National Holistic Healing Center offers a wellness-focused approach to cannabis retail near Dupont Circle. Located on the third floor of a historic Connecticut Avenue building, this dispensary emphasizes the therapeutic potential of cannabis while providing comprehensive product education.

The holistic philosophy extends beyond product selection to staff training and customer service, creating an environment focused on mindful cannabis use.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Holistic cannabis approach: Emphasis on cannabis as plant medicine and wellness tool
  • Patient education: Comprehensive guidance on strains, consumption methods, and effects
  • Full product range: Complete selection of flower, edibles, concentrates, and accessories
  • Dupont Circle location: Convenient access near Metro and major DC attractions

Best For: Wellness-focused consumers, medical patients seeking therapeutic guidance, Dupont Circle residents

Location & Hours:

  • 1636 Connecticut Avenue NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20009
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

5. Wishing Wellness

Wishing Wellness combines convenience with quality in DC’s Chinatown district. This dispensary offers same-day delivery and curbside pickup while maintaining a curated selection of top-shelf products from local growers and established brands.

The wellness-focused approach and central location make this an ideal choice for downtown residents and visitors seeking efficient, high-quality cannabis access.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Same-day delivery: Fast delivery service throughout the District
  • Curbside pickup: Convenient contactless pickup option
  • Top-shelf local products: Premium flower and concentrates from DC-area cultivators
  • Friendly, wellness-focused staff: Service oriented toward customer satisfaction and education

Best For: Downtown residents, delivery customers, those seeking efficient service with quality products

Location & Hours:

  • 406 5th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

6. Don Fuego

Don Fuego brings luxury cannabis retail to downtown DC with its premium lounge space and exclusive product selection. Located near the Convention Center, this dispensary offers daily specials on top-shelf flower and a sophisticated shopping environment.

The dispensary’s sampling lounge and premium glass collection create a unique retail experience that caters to discerning cannabis consumers.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Daily flower specials: Regular discounts on premium strains and exclusive genetics
  • Luxury lounge space: Upscale environment with sampling opportunities
  • Premium glass collection: High-end smoking accessories and paraphernalia
  • Complete product range: Comprehensive selection of flower, pre-rolls, edibles, and vapes

Best For: Luxury cannabis consumers, downtown professionals, those seeking exclusive strains and products

Location & Hours:

  • 1126 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

Tenleytown & Cleveland Park (Ward 3)

7. Green Theory

Green Theory stands out as one of DC’s few locally-owned and family-operated dispensaries. Located on MacArthur Boulevard in Ward 3, this dispensary offers personalized care, expert guidance, and a curated selection of premium medical marijuana products.

Owner-operated since its founding, Green Theory provides a level of personalized service that corporate dispensaries often lack, with the owner frequently on-site to assist customers.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Family-owned and operated: Personal attention from owners and staff who genuinely care about customer experience
  • Premium medical products: Carefully selected flower, edibles, and concentrates from trusted sources
  • Expert guidance: Staff trained to provide personalized recommendations based on individual needs
  • Dedicated parking: Convenient on-site parking unlike many urban dispensaries

Best For: Those seeking personalized service, locally-owned business supporters, Ward 3 residents

Location & Hours:

  • 4828 MacArthur Boulevard NW, Washington, DC 20007
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

8. Aligned Wellness

Aligned Wellness (formerly Top Level) brings a mindful approach to cannabis retail in Tenleytown. Rebranded in 2024, this dispensary emphasizes cannabis as plant medicine while offering premium flower, concentrates, and edibles in a wellness-focused environment.

The Tenleytown location near the Metro provides convenient access for residents of upper Northwest DC, with staff trained in holistic cannabis use.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Wellness-focused philosophy: Emphasis on mindful cannabis consumption and therapeutic benefits
  • Premium flower selection: High-quality strains from reputable cultivators
  • Concentrates and edibles: Diverse selection of alternative consumption products
  • Tenleytown accessibility: Convenient location near Metro and major bus lines

Best For: Wellness-oriented consumers, Tenleytown residents, those seeking a mindful cannabis experience

Location & Hours:

  • 3715 Macomb Street NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20016
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

Takoma & Petworth (Ward 4)

9. Takoma Wellness Center

Takoma Wellness Center holds the distinction of being DC’s first and longest-running dispensary, family-owned since 2013. With a perfect 4.9/5 Google rating from 500+ reviews, this dispensary has been voted “Best in DC” for 10 consecutive years (2016-2025).

Located just 150 feet from Takoma Metro, this dispensary offers the exclusive Cookies strain collection in DC (alongside Cookies DC itself) and maintains a 500+ product menu that caters to every cannabis preference.

What Makes Them Special:

  • DC’s original dispensary: Family-owned since 2013 with unparalleled local knowledge
  • Exclusive Cookies strains: Only dispensary with authentic Cookies genetics (alongside Cookies DC)
  • 500+ product menu: Comprehensive selection covering every cannabis category and preference
  • Same-day delivery: Fast delivery service throughout the District with curbside pickup available
  • Award-winning service: Voted “Best Dispensary in DC” for 10 consecutive years

Best For: Cannabis history enthusiasts, Cookies strain collectors, those seeking the most experienced dispensary staff

Location & Hours:

  • 6925 Blair Road NW, Washington, DC 20012
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

10. Green Legacy

Green Legacy serves the Petworth community with a licensed marijuana dispensary that welcomes both local residents and out-of-state visitors. This centrally located dispensary offers convenient access to quality cannabis products in a professional retail environment.

The 14th Street corridor location provides easy access for residents throughout Ward 4, with a focus on reliable service and consistent product quality.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Central Ward 4 location: Convenient access for Petworth, Brightwood, and surrounding neighborhoods
  • Visitor-friendly service: Staff trained to assist out-of-state visitors with temporary medical cards
  • Reliable product quality: Consistent selection of tested, quality cannabis products
  • Professional retail environment: Clean, well-organized dispensary with efficient service

Best For: Petworth residents, out-of-state visitors, those seeking reliable, consistent cannabis products

Location & Hours:

  • 4630 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

Union Market & NoMa (Ward 5)

11. District Cannabis

District Cannabis operates DC’s flagship dispensary across from Union Market, offering a clear, efficient process and premium cannabis products since 2015. With an impressive 4.9/5 rating from 841+ Google reviews, this dispensary has built a loyal customer base through consistent quality and service.

The Union Market location provides convenient access for NoMa and Ward 5 residents, with both delivery and pickup options available.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Flagship location: Operating since 2015 with established reputation for quality and service
  • Premium brand products: Exclusive District Cannabis brand products alongside Khalifa Kush and Alternative Solutions
  • Efficient service model: Streamlined shopping experience with knowledgeable staff
  • Union Market proximity: Convenient location near one of DC’s most popular destinations

Best For: NoMa residents, brand product enthusiasts, those seeking efficient, high-quality service

Location & Hours:

  • 513 Morse Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

Capitol Hill & H Street NE (Ward 6)

12. Monko

Monko represents the successful transition from DC’s gifting economy to the new licensed medical dispensary model. With 26,000+ existing customers, this Mount Vernon Triangle dispensary maintains strong community connections while offering comprehensive medical cannabis services.

The dispensary provides medical cannabis card assistance for new patients, making the transition to legal medical cannabis as smooth as possible.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Successful transition story: Successfully converted from gifting model to licensed dispensary
  • Large customer base: 26,000+ existing customers demonstrating community trust
  • Medical card assistance: Staff trained to help new patients navigate the application process
  • Mount Vernon Triangle location: Convenient access near downtown and residential neighborhoods

Best For: Former gifting economy customers, new medical cannabis patients, downtown residents

Location & Hours:

  • 444 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

13. Luxury Soil

Luxury Soil brings premium cannabis retail to the vibrant H Street Corridor. This dispensary focuses on high-quality flower, concentrates, and edibles in an upscale environment that reflects the neighborhood’s renaissance.

The H Street NE location provides convenient access for Capitol Hill and Northeast DC residents, with a product selection that caters to discerning cannabis consumers.

What Makes Them Special:

  • H Street Corridor location: Convenient access in one of DC’s most vibrant neighborhoods
  • Premium product selection: High-quality cannabis products across all categories
  • Upscale retail environment: Professional service in a modern, well-appointed space
  • Neighborhood integration: Part of H Street’s business community and cultural scene

Best For: H Street NE residents, premium product seekers, those wanting convenient neighborhood access

Location & Hours:

  • 775 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

Anacostia (Ward 8)

14. Anacostia Organics

Anacostia Organics holds the historic distinction of being the first licensed dispensary East of the River. This minority and woman-owned business celebrates its 6-year anniversary in 2025 and serves the Anacostia community with a boutique-style environment and quality cannabis products.

The dispensary’s historic Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue location and community-focused mission make it a cornerstone of equitable cannabis access in DC.

What Makes Them Special:

  • First East of the River dispensary: One of a few licensed cannabis retailers serving Wards 7 & 8
  • Minority and woman-owned: Historic ownership representing community empowerment
  • Local strain partnerships: Exclusive genetics from Abatin and District Cannabis cultivators
  • Boutique-style environment: Chic, welcoming retail space in historic Anacostia

Best For: Anacostia residents, supporters of minority-owned businesses, those seeking equitable cannabis access

Location & Hours:

  • 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

Delivery-Only Services

15. Herbal Harvest

Herbal Harvest operates as a licensed internet retailer serving the entire District through delivery-only service. This ABCA-licensed delivery service provides convenient cannabis access without requiring customers to visit a physical storefront.

The delivery-only model offers privacy and convenience for customers throughout all 8 Wards, with online ordering and professional delivery service.

What Makes Them Special:

  • Delivery-only convenience: Complete cannabis shopping experience from home
  • Citywide service: Delivery available throughout all 8 DC Wards
  • Licensed internet retailer: Fully compliant with ABCA regulations for delivery services
  • Online ordering system: Easy-to-use digital platform for product selection and ordering

Best For: Home-bound customers, privacy-conscious shoppers, those preferring delivery convenience

Service Area & Hours:

  • Throughout Washington, DC
  • Check website for current hours
  • Medical only (FREE card available online)

How to Get Your Medical Card

Before visiting any of these dispensaries, you’ll need a medical cannabis card. The process is remarkably straightforward:

For DC Residents:

  • Visit ABCA.DC.gov for online application
  • Self-certify for medical use (no doctor recommendation needed for adults 21+)
  • Receive instant temporary digital card (valid 90 days)
  • Permanent card issued within 30 days
  • Cost: FREE for DC residents (check ABCA website for current fee information)

For Visitors:

  • Apply online at ABCA.DC.gov for temporary non-resident cards
  • Options range from $10-$100 depending on duration
  • Bring government-issued ID and face photo
  • Instant temporary card upon approval

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recreational cannabis legal to buy in Washington D.C.?

No, as of March 31, 2025, the only legal way to purchase cannabis in Washington DC is through licensed medical dispensaries. The previous “gifting” model under Initiative 71 is no longer compliant with DC regulations. However, adults 21+ can easily obtain a medical cannabis card through free self-certification for DC residents or affordable temporary cards for visitors.

Do I need a medical card to get cannabis in DC?

Yes, you need a medical cannabis card to purchase cannabis from any licensed dispensary in DC. The good news is that DC residents 21+ can get a FREE medical card through online self-certification without requiring a doctor’s recommendation. Visitors can obtain temporary cards ranging from $10 for 3 days to $100 for 1 year.

What is the difference between a medical dispensary and an I-71 gifting service?

As of March 31, 2025, I-71 gifting services are no longer legal in Washington DC. The ABCA has enforced regulations requiring all cannabis sales to occur through licensed medical dispensaries only. Any business not on the ABCA retailer list is operating illegally and should be avoided.

Can I consume cannabis in public places in Washington D.C.?

No, cannabis consumption is prohibited in all public places in Washington DC, including streets, parks, sidewalks, restaurants, bars, and federal property. Legal consumption is only permitted in private residences or on private property with the owner’s permission. This restriction applies regardless of whether you have a medical card or purchased from a licensed dispensary.

What are the possession limits for cannabis in DC?

Medical cannabis patients in DC can possess at any time, and purchase within a rolling 30-day period, up to 8 ounces of dried cannabis flower. For concentrates, patients 21+ are limited to 240 grams (those aged 18–20 are limited to 60 grams), while edibles and other products are capped at a combined total of 600,000 mg THC over the same 30-day period.

Can I take cannabis purchased in DC across state lines?

Absolutely not. Transporting cannabis across state lines is a federal crime, regardless of the legal status in either state. Even though cannabis is legal in DC and some neighboring states, federal law prohibits interstate transportation. Additionally, cannabis consumption and possession are prohibited on all federal property in DC, which includes many parks, monuments, and government buildings.

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