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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.
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:
Best For: Cannabis enthusiasts seeking premium products, U Street visitors, those wanting a luxury retail experience
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Cookies strain enthusiasts, collectors seeking authentic brand products, those wanting the newest dispensary experience
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Columbia Heights residents, quality-focused shoppers, those seeking personalized service
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Wellness-focused consumers, medical patients seeking therapeutic guidance, Dupont Circle residents
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Downtown residents, delivery customers, those seeking efficient service with quality products
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Luxury cannabis consumers, downtown professionals, those seeking exclusive strains and products
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Those seeking personalized service, locally-owned business supporters, Ward 3 residents
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Wellness-oriented consumers, Tenleytown residents, those seeking a mindful cannabis experience
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Cannabis history enthusiasts, Cookies strain collectors, those seeking the most experienced dispensary staff
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Petworth residents, out-of-state visitors, those seeking reliable, consistent cannabis products
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: NoMa residents, brand product enthusiasts, those seeking efficient, high-quality service
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Former gifting economy customers, new medical cannabis patients, downtown residents
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: H Street NE residents, premium product seekers, those wanting convenient neighborhood access
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Anacostia residents, supporters of minority-owned businesses, those seeking equitable cannabis access
Location & Hours:
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:
Best For: Home-bound customers, privacy-conscious shoppers, those preferring delivery convenience
Service Area & Hours:
Before visiting any of these dispensaries, you’ll need a medical cannabis card. The process is remarkably straightforward:
For DC Residents:
For Visitors:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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