DC shuts five alleged unlicensed cannabis shops, four arrested – Outlaw Report
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The District shut down five unlicensed cannabis retailers and arrested four people during a citywide enforcement operation conducted between Dec. 10 and Dec. 15, officials said Wednesday.
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), working with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), padlocked Capitol CBD, District Hemp Botanicals, Flowerz, Grass & Co. and Seman Kwik Stop after determining the businesses were illegally selling cannabis products and posed a risk to public health.
Two hemp businesses told Washington City Paper that they believe they were in compliance with federal law.
The enforcement action is part of the District’s ongoing crackdown on illegal cannabis sales following the enactment of the Medical Cannabis Conditional License and Unlicensed Establishment Closure Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2024. The law, which took effect July 15, 2024, granted ABCA expanded civil enforcement authority. Since then, joint enforcement efforts have resulted in the closure of 93 illegal cannabis businesses across the city, according to ABCA.
At Capitol CBD, located at 6 P Street NE, officers seized more than 5.5 pounds of cannabis along with a wide array of THC products, including concentrates, edibles, oils, vape cartridges, and wax. Authorities also reported the seizure of mushrooms, mushroom concentrates, and mushroom-infused edibles. A 51-year-old man from Silver Spring, Maryland, Patrick Gray, was arrested in connection with the operation.
At District Hemp Botanicals, at 1323 Connecticut Avenue NW, officials seized cannabis, pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes, packaging materials, and more than 16 kilograms of THC edibles. A 48-year-old Northwest Washington resident, Raliwa Keleta, was arrested.
The largest seizure occurred at Flowerz, located at 318 Massachusetts Avenue NE, where officers confiscated more than 68 pounds of cannabis and extensive quantities of THC-infused products, including beverages, gummies, brownies, concentrates, vape cartridges, wax, and other edibles. Authorities said a 30-year-old Alexandria, Virginia resident, Alexandra Hynson Keleta, was arrested.
At Grass & Co., at 1730 Columbia Road NW, officers seized nearly nine pounds of cannabis, along with THC concentrates, edibles, and vape products. A 49-year-old man from Ellicott City, Maryland, Hussain Khalid, was arrested.
Seman Kwik Stop, located at 4801 Georgia Avenue NW, was also padlocked as part of the operation, though officials said no cannabis products were seized at that location.
The businesses will have their cases heard by the ABC Board within the next month.
Written by:
Editorial Staff
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