How to Buy Marijuana (Weed) in DC

How to buy Marijuana in DC

Buying marijuana in DC shouldn't be difficult, right? I mean, weed was already voted to be legalized for recreational purposes in 2014 by DC residents. However (unfortunately), despite it being legalized for consumption, you can't just walk into any dispensary or store to purchase marijuana like in LA or Las Vegas. This is because not just any individual can legally sell weed in DC. 

While sourcing for where to buy weed, you may find yourself in stores that are not staying compliant with I71 procedures or the occasional run down and sketchy smoke shops, which make you feel you might as well have bought from a shady back-alley dealer. Falling for under-hand dealers will only get you into trouble with the feds and cops and this is why it is important to do some research before you decide on where you will buy your weed.

The question that comes to mind is "how do I get weed in DC from credible sources?" To help you tackle this issue, our expert guide has been curated to provide an answer to your question on where to buy marijuana in DC. 

Buying Weed In DC

Unlike other regions like Denver, Seattle, or Los Angeles, where you can quickly locate dispensaries to buy cannabis, this is basically impossible in Washington DC.

You will agree with me that it can be quite frustrating figuring out where to get safe, reputable weed when there is no recreational access to dispensaries.

Ways to get weed in DC

Now, what if I tell you that apart from growing it yourself, here are five ways to get weed in DC. With these ways, you don't need to be a DC resident either or require a medical marijuana card. (Sounds too good to be true?)

You get to avoid legal issues, stay far away from dangerous places, and dodge the many scam operations advertising good DC weed but giving out the not-so-good weed. 

How to Get Weed in Washington DC

Whether you’re planning on visiting DC soon or live around here, below are some of the best and easiest ways to buy weed, concentrates, edibles, topicals, CBD, and everything in between in Washington DC.

Pop up events

These are also known as DC weed events. You can get various brands of cannabis you require at such events just by going to any smoke shop organizing such events. These events were created at a period when delivery and smoke shops were not available.

This option for buying weed in DC is certainly an experience but may lead you to a run-in with the law if you don't wisely select the DC pop-up events. A lot of organizers of such events have been caught distributing weed to minors, which is not compliant with I71.

dc weed pop up events

Weed delivery AND PICK UP services

Some weed shops in DC deliver marijuana as gifts and have it directly delivered to the customer locations. Although these delivery services are not always run legally and very unreliable. Other smoke shops also offer easy pick up options where you can order online and then pick up in store within 30 mins or less!

weed delivery services

Visit A DC Dispensary

If delivery and events don't really do it for you, you can do it the old-fashioned way. There are multiple shops in DC that can gift cannabis with any purchase during regular business hours. This also allows you to buy local products like apparel and art from small businesses. 

You do not require an appointment in such instances, so you may encounter a line, but you'll have enough time to browse smoke shop products and ask any questions you may have.

washington dc marijuana dispensary

Cannabis Gifts

No Kids Allowed is one of the notable brands in DC that offers cannabis gifts in compliance with Initiative 71 for every item purchased from the store. Get dope gifts ranging from bookmarks to customized Samsung and iPhone cases, or even Rubik’s cubes (try solving one while you’re stoned). 

cannabis gifts

What is Initiative 71?

Can I buy weed in DC? The answer is yes, you can because Initiative 71 allows adults who are at least 21 to give for free up to an ounce of cannabis to another adult who is at least 21. However, consumption may only occur privately at home; not even your car counts. The law also forbids the possession, exchange, or cultivation of marijuana on federal property, which there is quite a bit of in DC.

You can also grow your own weed. However, growing a weed farm can be quite challenging! 

From purchasing the right equipment to learning how to veg the cannabis flower all the way to dealing with the intense aromas of the flowering plants, it could take a while, sometimes a year, to learn how to grow weed well.

Initiative 71 was the loophole developed by the DC community and should be known well in order to buy weed in DC safely. Unlike most recreational cannabis initiatives, Initiative 71 does not allow for weed sale, so there are ZERO marijuana dispensaries operating in Washington DC. Marijuana can only be traded or gifted, but never purchased or sold directly.

Many cannabis brands and smoke shops in Washington DC get around this by selling various products (like phone cases, art, smoke supplies, and t-shirts) or accepting charitable donations and gifting the cannabis with the purchase or donation for free.

But don’t freak out – even if there are no marijuana dispensaries in Washington DC, finding weed is not a problem.

DC Weed Laws

While visiting DC, it is essential to note the cannabis laws to avoid breaking the rules. The cannabis laws act, which passed through the legislature, allows adults over age 21 to legally possess and use up to two ounces of marijuana on their own. Possession of marijuana below age 21 or more than 2 ounces at a time is regarded illegal.

The act allows DC residents to cultivate their cannabis for personal use, regardless of whether you simply want to get high or are interested in medical marijuana's beneficial properties. However, the plant count capped at six plants with a limit to three mature flowering plants at a time.

The act prevents the smoking of marijuana in public. All consumption is limited to private property. Direct sale of weed or driving while under the influence is also prohibited. To learn more about DC Weed laws, read our Ultimate Guide to DC Weed Laws to get the fundamentals.

No Kids Allowed DC

HOW TO BUY WEED IN DC SMOKE SHOP

Remember those shops I talked about earlier? In DC, there are gift shops that gift cannabis on any goods such as stickers, phone cases, t-shirt, or whatever goods are purchased during regular business hours.

So be prepared to see some outrageous prices for products like stickers. This is what the "gifting community" in DC is referred to. When you go to a smoke shop in DC to buy pot, you will buy the sticker or t-shirt first and, in the end, be given 'free' weed. 

No Kids Allowed

You may find yourself in stores that are not staying compliant with I71 procedures or the occasional run down and sketchy smoke shops, which makes you feel you might as well have bought from a shady back-alley dealer. 


No Kids Allowed is one of DC's most trusted smoke shops, working alongside community board leaders to ensure all customers have the smoothest and safest transactions possible. If you're wondering how to buy marijuana in DC, you can learn more by visiting our store. We offer the best marijuana gifts and cannabis products in Washington, DC. Call us at (202) 897-5993 to place your order or check out our online menu now.

No Kids Allowed TeamComment