Hearing May Spell the End for Aloha Weed Shop on Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 6, 2026

Aloha weed shop at 539 8th Street, SE

ANC6B Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration Committee met Tuesday night.

Hearing May Spell the End for Aloha Weed Shop on Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 6, 2026

CM Charles Allen has informed ANC6B and residents concerned about the Aloha weed shop at 539 8th Street, SE that the Alcohol Beverage and Control Administration has voted to hold a Qualification Hearing on Aloha’s pending Medical Marijuana license application.  The hearing is to determine the eligibility of the applicant to apply for a license – a due process hearing where the Board may decide to deny the license application based on the evidence provided to the Board in a March 25, 2026 ABCA inspector’s report.

According to the report, the activities of Aloha owner Saleh Salim are being probed by law enforcement agencies in Fairfax County, Virginia.  Salim and his two sons were arrested on March 18, 2026, by the Fairfax County Police Department and charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  (See below)

ANC6B’s Alcohol/Cannabis Committee chaired by Commissioner Karen Hughes discussed the issue at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting.  Hughes told the committee “We don’t know the date of the hearing, but in its wake the Board will issue a final decision,” and suggested that the committee move promptly to state its preferences and recommend the full ANC file that letter with ABCA.  (If the Board were to deny the license that would not prevent a new operator or other entity from taking over and applying for a license.  That being said, there are legislative efforts underway to tighten location restrictions regarding weed retailers, though it’s not clear if any of the new criteria would apply to the 539 8^th Street site.  ANC6B is in the process of launching a community discussion regarding ways to encourage a better retail mix on Barracks Row.)

March 25, 2026

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE AND CANNABIS ADMINISTRATION

CASE REPORT (Excerpts) 

Summary

(Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration investigation determined that on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Saleh Salim, owner of pending Medical Cannabis License for Aloha, located at 539 8th Street S.E., was in violation of:

5400 GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ALL APPLICANTS

5400.1 Before issuing, or renewing a registration or permit for either a business applicant

or an individual applicant, the Director shall determine that the applicant meets all

of the following criteria:

(a) The applicant is of good character and generally fit for the responsibilities

of registration;

5300 DENIAL OF REGISTRATION FOR VIOLATIONS OF LAW

5300.1 The Director may deny registration to an applicant if evidence shows that the

applicant has permitted conduct at the cultivation center or dispensary which is in

violation of this subtitle.)

Details

Specifically, Mr. Salim owns several tobacco businesses in Virginia, and on March 18, 2026, he was arrested and charged in Fairfax County, with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Additionally, Mr. Salim had a Fact-finding Hearing with the ABCA Board on February 26, 2026, where he stated that he was not involved in any unlicensed / illegal activity.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ABCA received information that the Fairfax County Police Department executed search warrants at 13 vape stores, two storage units, one vehicle, and one warehouse in Fairfax County, as well as three residences in Prince William County. During the operation, detectives seized a vehicle and confiscated marijuana in multiple forms, including flower, vape cartridges, pre-rolls, and edibles.  Detectives also recovered approximately 40 pounds of suspected mushroom-infused gummies, unknown pills, and suspected prescription medications being sold without authorization. Additionally, detectives located two storage units containing hundreds of pounds of marijuana. FCPD reported that coordination among local, state, and federal partners led to the seizure of narcotics with an estimated street value exceeding $2 million, along with more than $500,000 in cash. Detectives also seized and froze 30 bank accounts associated with the organization, containing more than $100,000….