420 in the 202
Two years after a unique form of legalization passed city council, what’s the state of marijuana culture in DC?
We live in the capital of a nation whose drug policy engages with marijuana as a member of the “most serious list of controlled substances.” But we also live in a city that voted for the law to sanction not only its medical but recreational use of pot.
As seat of power, we are far from the days of “I didn’t inhale.”
Obama and Bush might have celebrated a 4/20 or two in their time. It’s true that just at the moment when a nonpartisan consensus was emerging around drug reform, we see our new attorney general is in the headlines for comparing marijuana to heroin.
“Why? It’s legal now, bro.”
But Initiative 71, which passed two years ago and legalized recreational use of cannabis, wasn’t just a reflection of changing attitudes towards smoking — it also changed attitudes. You can smell the change in the air. Just go outside. No matter where you’re walking in the city, there’s a chance you’ll get a whiff.
So on this first 4/20 under Trump I asked four experts on legal weed: what’s the state of the emergent marijuana economy in Washington, DC?
What should new arrivals know about the city’s marijuana norms?
Caroline Phillips, National Cannabis Festival: New arrivals should familiarize themselves with D.C. marijuana laws — and then the norms. Our marijuana laws can be a little confusing and may even seem nonsensical to a newcomer. In DC if you’re 21 you can posses 2 oz of weed, but you can’t buy it? How the heck did you get it then?! Once you get past the gray area in our laws, what makes our city so unique is the thriving culture of underground events. Since we haven’t been given greater clarity on marijuana laws, community members have created their own network of private events catering to the cannabis community.
Adam Eidinger, DCMJ: As the author of the law that legalized use, procession and cultivation in the home, let me be the first to welcome you to the colony of DC. It’s a fact: home grown marijuana, created by you, is the least costly and most rewarding way get it.
If you absolutely won’t grow, then get a medical card. The quality and selection is amazing and well worth the retail price. But before you can get a medical card, you need to become a DC resident and join the DC colony, ultimately giving up your representation in the US Senate and House (at least with a vote). You might as well become an activist for DC Statehood at the same time because out-of-towners in Congress don’t even want you having a say over LOCAL marijuana laws.
Joe Tierney, GentlemanToker.com: Visitors to DC from the West Coast will notice the street prices are about double what they’re used to, but the prices are standard for the East Coast. Since Initiative 71 doesn’t allow sales, visitors should expect to be asked for a donation, or to buy some merchandise and receive the cannabis as a free gift. Is this totally kosher? I dunno, I’m not a lawyer, I’m a lunatic with a website.
If you have a medical card from another state, DC doesn’t honor reciprocity yet, so you won’t be able to visit the dispensaries.
Harrison Baum, Daily High Club: It’s easier to get here than California or Colorado. I have seen as every bit as good quality herb here as I have in LA, it’s just much more expensive and harder to find.
You don’t need a med card (unlike CA) and can get delivery so don’t need to leave your home (unlike CO).
What distinguishes DC’s marijuana culture — a signature strain? Musical traditions? The shadow of politics?
AE: DC Diesel is what I’m about. More Sativa than indica, but a mutt. I think DC loves Sativa more than indica but it could be the friends you have.
Lots of home grow creativity in small places using zero cost natural light. Roof tops and grow tents under legal plant count in one summer can produce 10 pounds of cannabis for the price of soil, water and nutrients. So I think the culture here is abundance. Indeed we are increasing the number of people in government who use cannabis, and that’s a good thing.
HB: The shadow of politics. People here like to smoke and take action. I don’t know lazy stoners. Caroline, her friend Patrick, and I ran the Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon in weed leaf costumes. We realize that smoking may be relaxing, but there’s a lot of work to do for it to be fully accepted and used medicinally worldwide.
CP: D.C. gets a lot of flack from folks that perceive us as an uptight federal city. Sure, we have those folks, but what makes our marijuana culture so unique is our community activists. Every day in the city marijuana community members can be found hosting planning meetings, fundraisers, information sessions and workshops to inform and activate likeminded individuals. Our proximity to congress gives us a chance to amplify the message of activists around the country: it’s time to end marijuana prohibition.
JT: What really distinguishes DC’s marijuana culture is this grand, historical experiment taking place around us—legalization without regulation. It’s been chaotic, yes, but the system we have works. Not as well as fully legalized Western states, but it does work. What we have is something truly unique.
How has Initiative 71 changed marijuana culture in DC, if at all?
CP: Initiative 71 created a space for a new industry and social scene in our city, but most importantly, it has reduced the number of arrests of persons for marijuana “crimes,” changing the way our police force interacts with the community, allowing our officers to focus on violent crime.
AE: Almost immediately made being a cannabis grower respectable, more trust in local cops who now don’t care if you smell like weed. Homegrow is fueling political actions like gifting joints and sharing seeds o demand change. DCMJ is a vibrant volunteer group.
JT: In general, folks are a lot more open about cannabis now. The eye-opening moment for me was when I met this guy who wanted to give me a sample of his concentrate to try, to compare against what I got at the dispensary. I followed him to his car and asked if I should get in, you know, to keep things on the low. He turned around with a smile, handed me a silicon container, and asked me “Why? It’s legal now, bro.” His crumble was fantastic, by the way.
What should be the next priority for marijuana advocates in DC?
HB: Maryland. I think having a state next to DC explode with marijuana business will normalize the idea of a legal industry in the eyes of Congress, who really have the final say here. They might see all the tax money MD is making that they will miss out on, while simultaneously realizing it hasn’t burned them to the ground — just the opposite.
AE: Remove the Harris Amendment so we can update DC marijuana laws with what we have learned over the last two years. It’s a time for demands and protest of Congress. People should not become complacent to the undemocratic state of affairs. 70% voted for legalization here and its still not opening up to adults 21 and older which should be the goal.
[The other thing:] While you await your plants to grow or your medical card you might rely on the DC marijuana underground. It’s easy to appreciate the easy access, delivery or neighborhood vibe if you live in the right place, but understand these generally harmless sales operations are not in a grey area as they often claim — they are simply illegal. Before head shops were made legal in DC, it was possible to be arrested up for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It even happened to my customers in October 2011 at my smoke shop Capitol Hemp.
Today you don’t have the worry inside smoke shops, we changed that law too. However when an event is allowing use or selling in some form marijuana it can in fact can be raided.
CP: To me, the next priority for marijuana activists in D.C. is to ally our community with the other communities threatened by congress’ efforts to turn back DC’s progressive laws. I don’t anticipate great advances in marijuana legalization under the new administration (I hope I’m wrong!), but that may be a blessing in disguise. Jeff Sessions’ recent comments about his aggressive stance on marijuana only served to unite activists and business owners around the country to stand up for the rights of activists, enthusiasts and patients.
JT: Specifically regarding DC, I believe the next priority should be the lifting of the Social Use Ban so that our gatherings are legal and can grow to bigger venues that would love to have us, save for the small detail that they could lose their license over it. We don’t want to sit in basements any longer.
How has DC approached equity in the marijuana legalization process?
CP: Gentrification of marijuana is a reality. For decades, people of color have been unfairly targeted by marijuana laws — in DC and around the country. Now, we are seeing a rush of investors into a new industry with high barriers of entry that keep the exact people damaged by outdated marijuana policies from benefiting and thriving in a legal cannabis environment.
When legalization first happened in D.C., the market was flooded with high priced events produced by outside groups promising to connect you with investors and help you know the law. In response, the DC cannabis community starting putting together free classes on topics ranging from tax law to branding your business to make information and education more accessible.
HB: DC seems pretty equitable for the wrong reasons. Since Congress blocked monetary exchanges, most canna-businesses in DC need to operate in the gray market, so big businesses can’t compete.
JT: I strongly feel that DC should provide a path for these local entrepreneurs to legitimize their businesses if full legalization moves forward. It would be a shame to deny the bold individuals that have filled the void Congress left in Initiative 71’s implementation the opportunity to continue the brands they’ve worked tirelessly to build. I’d also like to see a path made for employment of minorities and those with felony marijuana convictions to work in and own a part of the industry, as these folks have been most adversely affected by our nation’s horrible, failed cannabis policy.
Plans for Thursday, 4/20:
- CP: I’ll be at the RFK Stadium Festival grounds, setting up for National Cannabis Festival Talib Kweli and The Pharcyde can light up the stage on Saturday!
- HB: Smoke with friends, ice cream, smoke, ice cream.
- JT: I’m gonna hit up Kick District.
- AE: I set up the Congressional #JointSession. DCMJ will give away over 1,200 joints rolled by District Residents to Congressional staff 12:00–6:20pm at First and Constitution, NE to demand reforms.
Best munchies in town:
- CP: Songbyrd Record House & Music Cafe!!
- HB: Steak n Egg
- JT: I really like Wingos for late night delivery.
- AE: Mintwood Place and Amsterdam Falafel
Best stoned Smithsonian experience:
- HB: Breaking into the monkey cage and smoking a spliff with a bunch of monkeys.
- JT: I bet everybody says “You’re not allowed to be high on federal property!” I don’t remember being high at a Smithsonian.
- AE: Einstein Planetarium at Air and Space.
- CP: Hands down, the IMAX at the Air and Space Museum.
