In Washington D.C., the burgeoning cannabis market faces significant regulatory challenges with only one dedicated marijuana inspector, Jason Peru, tasked with overseeing both legal medical dispensaries and illicit I-71 shops. As the sole officer from the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), Peru manages inspections of nearly a dozen medical marijuana outlets, ensuring compliance with security and inventory standards, while also tackling the more than 100 unlicensed I-71 establishments operating through a legal loophole.

Industry operators, like Linda Mercado Greene of Anacostia Organics, express concern over the limited manpower, calling for increased enforcement to regulate these ‘Wild West’ conditions. However, bureaucratic delays have stalled the hiring of additional inspectors, with job postings awaiting approval from D.C. HR. This has left the cannabis industry in a precarious position, with ABCA recently conducting over 120 inspections and issuing numerous warnings and orders, yet struggling to implement a robust regulatory framework.

The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of cannabis regulation in D.C., where federal restrictions prevent the full legalization of recreational sales, prompting the District to pressure unlicensed shops to seek medical marijuana licenses. The ABCA assures that resources are in place to enforce new laws granting greater regulatory authority, yet the need for a more fortified enforcement team remains a pressing issue for the capital’s cannabis landscape.

The cannabis industry in Washington D.C. clearly needs stronger regulation to ensure both legal compliance and fair competition. With only one inspector managing the growing market, it’s evident that more resources and enforcement are necessary to handle the challenges ahead. Without proper oversight, the balance between licensed and unlicensed businesses will remain difficult to manage.

Source: Axios