Our GreenState Curators independently research and recommend merchants in these cannabis dispensaries in Washington DC listings. There is no newsroom involvement in this process. Merchants can pay for a sponsored listing. Any paid listings are marked as “Paid Advertisement” and include a disclaimer on the merchant-provided content for transparency.
Washington, D.C. was early to the wave of measures that have legalized recreational cannabis across the country, and it has remained at the vanguard of a vibrant cannabis culture ever since. D.C. is now home to a thriving recreational and medical cannabis market featuring some of the best-reviewed dispensaries on the Eastern seaboard.
Come for the fragrant pre-rolls and cutting-edge tinctures, and stay for the educational programs and community events. It is still illegal to sell cannabis directly to consumers in D.C., but the dispensaries have all developed a “gift exchange” workaround that makes for easy shopping. From the Palisades to Marshall Heights, there’s an ideal D.C. dispensary for every consumer.
We crafted this guide by reviewing independently verified third-party data. The dispensaries that ultimately ranked all meet the same strict set of criteria. They are all licensed to sell cannabis in Washington, D.C., have top online rankings, employ qualified budtenders, and are located within D.C. limits. The following listings have been thoroughly vetted so you can shop smartly.
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Monko
Located in the heart of the Mt. Vernon Triangle, Monko is Washington, D.C.’s premiere, fully-stocked luxury dispensary. Their stacked recreational menu features flower, edibles, vape pens, concentrates, and more. Shop by category, type, and brand, and check out the unbeatable specials section. Monko is proudly Black-owned and I-71 compliant.
Reviews rave about the friendly staff of highly trained budtenders who will make sure you have the perfect experience, whether you’re a newbie or an old pro. The team at Monko strives for an impact beyond customer satisfaction; they are committed to education and social uplift in the cannabis space. Learn about consumption methods and cultivation technologies and participate in programs to right the historical injustices perpetrated against marginalized communities around cannabis use and possession. Monko will help you discover a new world of cannabis.
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444 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
202-870-7171
Peace in the Air
Smooth jazz and funk always soundtrack the shopping experience at Peace in the Air, a full-service recreational dispensary that offers pick-up, in-store purchase, and delivery to the entire D.C. metro area, including parts of Maryland and Northern Virginia. This popular dispensary located in a charming brick rowhouse in the Adams Morgan neighborhood offers immaculate vibes in D.C. Peace in the Air is a cultural hub, supporting the best and brightest of D.C.’s arts scene through their events and collaborations and creating a safe space for responsible cannabis consumption.
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2118 18th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
202-905-2330
Cannabliss
Washington, D.C.’s transition from a medical-only cannabis market to a full medical and recreational market after the passage of Initiative 71 has been somewhat rocky. It’s why some dispensaries have remained medical only, and Cannabliss leads the pack.
Cannabliss is a Black-owned business focused on community and culture. Founder Norbert Pickett and his team of highly-trained budtenders host block parties, provide patient care, create pot jobs, and educate customers about the holistic properties of cannabis. Cannabliss is helping D.C. heal with cannabis.
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4721 Sheriff Rd. NE, Washington, D.C. 20019
202-388-3000
Anacostia Organics
Anacostia Organics took its name from the historic riverside community where it became D.C.’s first fully functional medical cannabis dispensary east of the Anacostia. The team at Anacostia can help D.C. residents and non-residents alike get their medical cards and offer a special 25 percent discount off your first purchase as a patient. Anacostia Organics is Black-owned and woman-owned, maintaining a fiercely loyal relationship with the surrounding community. Shop dozens of weekly deals on cannabis products, like 25 percent off all trim and shake on Mondays and Tuesdays and 20 percent off for low-income D.C. residents.
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2022 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
202-845-8574
Takoma Wellness Center
If you live in north D.C. near the Maryland border, Takoma Wellness Center is about to become your new one-stop medical cannabis shop. Located just steps from the Takoma metro station, this dispensary is focused solely on its inventory, your experience, and your education.
The folks at Takoma have curated one of the best medical menus in the DMV, featuring local strains from cultivators like Alternative Solutions and even Kosher Kush, a strain of cannabis grown and blessed by rabbis. Order online or shop in-store for access to amenities like an on-site ATM, debit payment methods, and a veteran’s discount.
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6925 Blair Rd. NW, Washington, D.C. 20012
202-465-4260
Dreams Wellness
The kind and knowledgeable staff at Dreams Wellness want you to experience all the therapeutic and medicinal benefits that cannabis has to offer – but they’re not only a medical cannabis dispensary. Dreams offers a diverse recreational menu that you can order from online, over the phone, or in person at the storefront just south of Dupont Circle.
Shop delicious edibles, vapes, pre-rolls, flower, and more from buzzy brands like Grandiflora and Gigi’s Cookies. Subscribe to the Dreams Wellness email list to have personalized deals sent straight to your inbox.
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1829 M St. NW Suite 101, Washington, D.C. 20036
202-735-1852
Cannabis dispensaries in Washington DC FAQ
Is recreational cannabis legal in Washington, D.C.?
D.C. voters were some of the first in the country to approve the purchase, possession, and use of recreational cannabis in 2014. Initiative 71 became effective in 2015, legalizing the possession, transfer, transport, and cultivation of cannabis in certain amounts.
Oddly enough, the sale of cannabis is still illegal in D.C., but transferring it as a gift remains legal. That means at recreational dispensaries, customers must buy something that is not cannabis, like a token or a shirt, in order to receive the cannabis they intended to buy as a “gift.”
Can I consume cannabis at a Washington, D.C. dispensary?
It is not legal to use cannabis in a public setting in Washington, D.C. That includes dispensaries. Cannabis must be consumed in a private dwelling. It cannot be smoked in a motor vehicle, and motor vehicles should not be operated after using cannabis.
What are the possession limits on cannabis in Washington, D.C.?
Each state and municipality that passes laws around cannabis is free to institute its own set of possession limits. The possession laws for D.C. cannabis use are as follows:
- Possession: 2 oz. or less
- Transfer: 1 oz. or less, so long as there is no exchange or payment of goods
- Cultivation: six marijuana plants within their residence
There are many cannabis dispensaries in Washington, DC to choose from. While not all are created equal, you can be sure the retailers in this guide are top-shelf selections.