City Closes 2 Illegal Weed Shops on H Street NE

All American Papers, at 504 H Street, NE.

City Closes 2 Illegal Weed Shops on H Street NE

By Larry Janezich

Posted Friday, July 5, 2024

Earlier this week, the DC Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) issued cease and desist orders to two illegal weed shops on H Street, NE:  All American Paper at 504 H Street, NE, and Safe House at 335 H Street, NE.  On Friday morning, there were no signs of activity around the former. There appeared to be a short line on the sidewalk outside the latter. 

These orders, dated Wednesday, July 3, appear to be the first in the long-awaited enforcement effort against illegal weed “gifting shops.”

Two other outlets also received cease and desist orders:  Hotbox at 1564 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, and Smoke Island at 1326 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. 

Here’s a link to ABRA’s page where the orders reside:  https://bit.ly/45VaiZ1 The orders detail the evidence ABRA agents observed while conducting inspections which lead to the board’s finding of illegal activity and the decision to issue the closure orders. 

Licensed medical marijuana shops are likely to welcome the strengthened enforcement as will the former illegal “gifting shops” which have taken advantage of the city’s effort to expand the medical cannabis licensing to allow them to convert to legal outlets.  Several of these illegal outlets – including Mr. Nice Guys – on Barracks Row, continue to operate illegally, waiting for the hammer to fall, while others such as Mother Blossom across the street have closed their doors. 

Capitol Hill Corner asked Commissioner Mark Eckenweiler, Chair of ANC6C where the H Street businesses lie, for comment.  Eckenweiler said, “”I welcome this decision by the ABC Board. The over-proliferation of illegal cannabis shops has had significant adverse impacts on the H Street corridor and nearby residents. I look forward to seeing additional enforcement action against these and other illegal cannabis sellers in the area.

Councilmember Charles Allen made these Board orders possible by pushing through Council legislation this spring to clarify and strengthen the agency’s enforcement authority. My constituents and I are deeply grateful for his timely and energetic efforts to address these important issues.”

Asked for comment, Allen told CHC: “I’m very pleased to see the ABCA Board take action. And they need to do more. I wrote the enforcement legislation that they’re now putting into action because while the District has created a thoughtful and successful pathway for licensed, regulated, and legal medical cannabis sales, those businesses that refuse to enter this legal market and continue to thumb their nose at the District’s laws cannot be allowed to continue illegally operating.”