In the United States, Washington DC is among the only regions where the use of cannabis has been legalized. And although weed is not 100% legal in the state, various Washington DC weed stores have found a way to bypass the harsh laws set by the government.
However, recent developments may help lift these strict DC weed laws. Early in February 2021, Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced the Safe Cannabis Act 2021 to improve the workability of DC weed laws.
This is welcome news to weed lovers all over DC because it is a step closer to achieving 100% legalization of weed. But before then, it is crucial to understand the current laws governing the use of weed in the district.
This guide will show you how to avoid breaking DC's weed laws and reveal how to spot the best Washington DC weed stores with free premium weed gifts.
Is Marijuana Legal in DC?
So, is marijuana legal in DC? The answer is yes, but there are certain things you must take note of if you want to get weed in the district. DC has weird laws that make getting weed seem harder than carving out an umbrella from honeycomb with a needle. These laws are so strict that oftentimes inexperienced cannabis enthusiasts get fined or arrested for handling cannabis. Below we discuss these laws.
Learn the DC Weed Laws
Various DC weed laws help regulate the sale and use of weed across the district. Asides from the laws set by Initiative 71, there are other supporting weed laws you should know, like the statutes and regulations for recreational use of marijuana include the 2013 State Session Laws (2013 c 3 Marijuana), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 69.50 (Uniform Controlled Substances Act)- Marijuana Provisions in Article 3, Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Title 314- Liquor & Cannabis Board Chapter 314-55: Marijuana Licenses, the Application process, Requirements & Reporting. You can learn more about these laws here.
As stated, the laws above are supporting laws and don't play much of a significant role in distributing weed across the district. In the next section, we will talk about Initiative 71, the primary weed bill in DC.
What is Initiative 71?
The primary legislation that covers weed and marijuana legalization in DC is Initiative 71. The DC weed law is an off-shoot of several legislative policies to cater to cannabis issues in the capital. Initiative 71 was a Washington, DC voter-approved ballot initiative that legalized the recreational use of cannabis.
Initiative 71 and its laws birthed a way for the government to monitor weed distribution across the district. It also gave DC residents access to premium quality cannabis. There's one downside to these laws, though; they are very strict. For example, recreational weed cannot be sold in DC; it can only be gifted. Unlike medical weed, which can be sold in the district.
Here are some of the rules set by Initiative 71:
You must be 21 years or older to possess weed in Washington DC.
Operating a vehicle while high will get you arrested. It's also classified as a DUI charge.
Smoking cannabis on government property is strictly prohibited, and you can get in a lot of trouble if caught doing so. Smoking in public places is also not allowed. You can only smoke on private property.
Weed can only be gifted in DC, not sold.
Individuals of age can possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to three mature marijuana plants in their homes.
Individuals are allowed to transfer up to one ounce of marijuana plants to another person.
How Can I Find an I71 Weed Store?
It is very important that you find an I71 compliant weed store. These weed stores are approved by the government and do not sell weed to their patrons; they only gift weed. Unfortunately, most smoke shops flaunt the Initiative 71 laws. Getting cannabis from such stores only leads to problems with the law. Here are a few ways you can spot a good weed store in DC.
First off, a good weed store should obey all of DC's weed laws and be Initiative 71 compliant.
Another key feature of a good weed store is that they usually have good reviews online - nothing less than 4- stars on Google reviews.
A good weed store has a diverse menu filled with tons of quality weed strains and cannabis products.
Lastly, if the weed store ensures that customers get their weed effortlessly and without worry, it's a go!
How to Get Free Recreational Weed in DC
Getting a medical marijuana card is quite stressful and is often not advisable since you can get weed at a registered smoke shop without a medical card! Opting for gifted recreational cannabis saves you stress, time, and money. Provided the smoke shop is i71 compliant, you are assured of getting high-quality weed without breaking any DC weed laws.
Our In-store shopping experience is completely hassle-free. You can either visit our shop on 14th Street and purchase your gifts in person. Or you can skip the line and preorder online! All you need to do is pre-order your gift order from our website is:
Browse our online menu and select your free weed gift of choice
Choose your desired workout plan and select “Store Pickup” at checkout
We’ll let you know when your order is ready (less than 15 mins)
Once your order is ready, bring a 21+ State Issued ID and Cash to the gym
Pick up your order from a Gym Leader at the front Desk & enjoy!
Not convinced yet? Here's why Hidden Gym was rated one of the top weed stores in Washington DC:
1. Free I71 Weed Gifts + Fitness Programs
At Hidden Gym DC, weed is gifted to you after purchasing one of our fitness plans or gym equipment. The cannabis given is a complimentary item added to your catalog when you buy other things in the shop.
Hidden Gym provides the perfect solution for weed lovers. We know the value of a healthy lifestyle, and that is why we offer the best fitness plan to help you stay fit and healthy. Cannabis has its health benefits; complementing it with a great workout routine will make it even better!
2. High-Quality Strains
We prioritize customer satisfaction at Hidden Gym, which is why our weed strains are the cream of the crop. We provide our customers with the best cannabis strains in Washington DC and still maintain the initiative 71 standards.
3. Happy Hour Deals
At Hidden Gym, we offer dope happy hour deals almost every day of the week! Stop by the gym from Tuesday to Thursday for deals on our workout plans + free weed gifts. Or enjoy happy hour TWICE on the weekends - visit us Friday to Sunday (4pm to close) to get special offers on our plans and gifts. Looking for the best CBD in DC? Get 15% off our CBD products every Sunday! Plus enjoy bonus weed gifts like free pre rolls and edibles by spinning our winner wheel every Saturday and Sunday (4pm to close).
What are Medical Dispensaries?
Besides Initiative 71 Gift Shops, there are no recreational weed dispensaries in Washington DC. Unlike Vegas, California, and other weed-friendly regions across the USA, the only type of DC dispensaries that are allowed to operate in the capital are medical weed dispensaries. Medical weed dispensaries prescribe cannabis to patients who meet the requirements or have been diagnosed. These patients are required to have a medical marijuana card before getting medical cannabis. However there are ways to get free weed from "dispensaries in DC" without needing a medical marijuana card.
Highly Rated in the DMV Community
Hidden Gym is DC's favorite source of cannabis goodies. We comply with Initiative 71 provisions and only gift free premium weed products. At Hidden Gym, we offer only the best weed strains in the capital. As a new Weed Gift Store in Washington DC, we are proud about our quick climb to over 80+ five-star verified reviews on Google.
If you're looking for how to get weed in DC, check out Washington DC's Top Rated i71 Shop – Hidden Gym. From California to local DC brands, we offer only free premium weed gifts like flower, edibles, and concentrates. Call (202) 568-0094 for more information on how to place an order. Or visit our online menu to pre-order online and skip the line!