Updated November 2026.
Weed is legal to have in Washington, DC, but getting it works differently than in states with recreational stores. This guide explains what the law allows, the three ways adults actually get weed in the city, and the rules that trip people up.
The short answer
- Adults 21 and older can have up to 2 ounces of weed in DC.
- DC has no licensed recreational stores. Congress has used the federal budget to block the city from creating a recreational market.
- Your options are delivery for adults 21 and older, a DC medical registration (adults 21+ can self-certify, no doctor needed), or growing your own.
- You cannot use weed in public, in a car or on federal land.
What DC law allows
Initiative 71 passed in November 2014 with about 65 percent of the vote and took effect in February 2015. For adults 21 and older it allows:
- Possessing up to 2 ounces.
- Growing up to six plants inside your home, no more than three of them mature.
- Giving up to 1 ounce to another adult 21 or older, as long as nothing is exchanged for it.
- Using weed on private property.
It does not cover using weed in public or having it on federal land, such as the National Mall, the monuments, Rock Creek Park and other national park sites. Federal law applies there. Our guide Is weed legal in DC? explains Initiative 71 in detail.
Three ways to get weed in DC
1. Delivery to your door
Delivery is the simplest option for most adults. With Select Co-Op you order online, a driver brings the order to your address, and checks that you are 21 or older with a valid government photo ID. We deliver every day from 9am to 11pm across all of DC, plus Northern Virginia and Maryland. No medical card is needed. Here is how ordering without a medical card works.
2. A DC medical registration
DC’s medical cannabis program is run by the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA). Since 2022, adults 21 and older can self-certify instead of seeing a doctor, and non-residents can register for periods from 30 days to a year. A registration lets you buy at ABCA-licensed medical dispensaries. Details are on the ABCA website.
3. Growing your own
Adults can grow up to six plants inside their home, with no more than three flowering at once. It is the cheapest option over time and the slowest, since a harvest takes a few months.
What about the shops you see around town?
You will see storefronts around the city, and they open and close often. A shop you found online last month may not be there today, so check before you make the trip. Our guide to gifting weed in DC explains how the gifting model came about.
What to get on your first order
- Flower: eighths from $35 (Discounted), $45 (Top Shelf) and $60 (Premier).
- Pre-rolls: $15, with nothing to roll or pack.
- Vape carts: from $45, plus a $20 battery if you do not have one.
- Edibles: from $20. Start with one serving and wait at least an hour before taking more. Our edibles guide covers dosing.
Prices are current as of November 2026. The live menu always has the latest, and our cheap weed delivery guide shows the best value sizes.
Rules that trip people up
- No public use. Smoking on a sidewalk, in a park, on a patio or at a bar can get you a fine. See smoking weed in public in DC.
- No use in a car, and no driving high. Impaired-driving laws cover cannabis the same way they cover alcohol.
- Federal land means federal law. The Mall, the monuments, national parks and federal buildings are off limits.
- Other states, other rules. Virginia and Maryland set their own possession limits, so check them before you travel.
- 21 means 21. Initiative 71 only covers adults 21 and older.
Frequently asked questions
Is weed legal in DC in 2026?
Yes, for adults 21 and older, within Initiative 71’s limits: up to 2 ounces, up to six plants at home, and use on private property. DC has no recreational stores; licensed sales run through the medical program. Federal law still applies on federal land.
Do I need a medical card to get weed in DC?
Not to order from Select Co-Op. You need to be 21 or older with a valid photo ID. You need a medical registration to buy at a licensed medical dispensary, and adults 21 and older can self-certify for one.
Can tourists get weed in DC?
Yes. Visitors 21 and older have the same possession limit as residents, can register for the medical program as non-residents, and can order delivery with a valid ID. Hotels set their own smoking rules; see our list of 420-friendly hotels in DC.
How much weed can I have in DC?
Up to 2 ounces if you are 21 or older.
How fast is weed delivery in DC?
Select Co-Op delivers same day, 9am to 11pm daily. Timing depends on your neighborhood and how busy the evening is; see our DC delivery page for every area we cover.
Final thoughts
For most adults in DC, the easiest way to get weed is delivery: no card, no trip and no guessing which shop is open. Browse the menu and have your ID ready when the driver arrives.