Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen issued the following statement regarding ABCA enforcement to shut down two illegally operating pot shops on H Street NE.

“Today, DC’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) took action to shut down two illegally operating businesses on the H Street NE corridor – All American Papers (504 H St. NE) and Stonerz DC (521 H St. NE). Both illegal shops had opportunities to join DC’s legal and licensed medical cannabis system but chose to flout the law and continue operating illegally, despite receiving official warnings of their violations in March 2024 and cease and desist orders issued in July 2024. ABCA’s action today is welcome for the businesses on the corridor who play by the rules and the neighbors who want to see a vibrant corridor filled with a variety of businesses they trust to be good neighbors. As Ward 6 Councilmember, I have been calling for stronger enforcement of illegal shops for years even as I welcome a strong, regulated legal cannabis marketplace. Under DC’s legal medical cannabis framework, properly licensed retailers mean regulated and safe businesses with trusted and tested products for consumers. We have to recognize until Congress takes its hands off DC, its budget rider is putting our neighborhoods and residents in danger, and we have to take whatever steps we can to improve safety and fairness.”

Councilmember Allen introduced and led the Council to pass the Medical Cannabis Program Enforcement Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 in January of this year to grant ABCA the legal authority to enforce against illegally operating businesses.