D.C. delays inspections of cannabis gifting stores

Introduction

The district will postpone inspections of new cannabis gifting stores, a city official said on Wednesday, as D.C. police announced that a man was arrested for illegally selling marijuana inside one of the businesses.

Ashton M. Williams, the executive director of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, said that the postponement would run until the end of February.

At the same time, D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said that all such establishments need to shut down immediately because "clearly what is being sold in some of these places is illegal."

He didn't identify any specific establishments but noted that there are several across the city. Newsham also said that he has been working to close a loophole that allows individuals to walk away from police with large amounts of cash and marijuana without arrest because it's not technically illegal to possess up to 2 ounces of pot in the nation's capital only sale or distribution."

The district will postpone inspections of new cannabis gifting stores

The district will postpone inspections of new cannabis gifting stores, a city official said on Wednesday, as D.C. police announced that a man was arrested for illegally selling marijuana inside one of the businesses.

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, which regulates the industry in Washington, is postponing its inspection program until at least Feb. 28.

The agency had previously set up daily inspections starting Jan. 1. Still, it decided to delay them after some members of Congress raised concerns about federal laws preventing local officials from providing any assistance to marijuana operations that violate federal law.

"We have been waiting for guidance from our legal staff," Williams said in an interview with The Washington Post.

Ashton M. Williams

"We have been doing work closely with all the cannabis retailers in Washington, D.C., to ensure that they are following the rules based on our regulatory requirements," Williams said, according to The Post.

"With a newly-appointed Board of Zoning Adjustment and several months remaining before they consider applications, it makes sense for us to wait until after that process has concluded before inspecting any stores."

The postponement will run through Feb. 28 and apply to all cannabis gifting stores in D.C., including those located at 7233 Georgia Ave., N.W., 1112 Euclid St., N.W., and 919 U.S. Route 1

At the same time, D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said that all such establishments need to shut down immediately.

"There are two issues with this," he said in an interview Friday evening. "One is that we have people coming into our city, reaching into their pockets and pulling out large amounts of cash, handing it over to retailers who are selling them marijuana under no regulation whatsoever."

Newsham also criticized the businesses' lack of legitimacy regarding taxes paid or not paid to the district government.

Conclusion

In other words, the police chief wants to keep marijuana out of the hands of kids and criminals.

Newsham also said that he has been working to close a loophole that allows individuals to walk away from police with large amounts of cash and marijuana without arrest because it's not technically illegal to possess up to 2 ounces of pot in the nation's capital.

The DC police chief also said that he has been working to close a loophole that allows individuals to walk away from police with large amounts of cash and marijuana without being arrested because it's not technically illegal to possess up to 2 ounces of pot in the nation's capital.