Updated November 2026.
Yes. Weed is legal in Washington, DC, for adults 21 and older, within limits. That is because of Initiative 71, the ballot measure DC voters passed in 2014. Here is what it allows, what it does not, and what has changed since.
Is weed legal in DC? The quick answer
| Question | The rule in DC |
|---|---|
| Legal age | 21 and older |
| How much you can have | Up to 2 ounces |
| Growing at home | Up to six plants inside your home, no more than three mature |
| Sharing | Up to 1 ounce to another adult 21+, with nothing exchanged |
| Where you can use it | Private property |
| Public use | Not allowed; fines apply |
| Federal land | Federal law applies (National Mall, monuments, national parks, federal buildings) |
| Recreational stores | None; licensed sales run through the medical program |
What is Initiative 71?
Initiative 71 was a DC ballot measure that passed on November 4, 2014, with about 65 percent of the vote. It took effect on February 26, 2015, after the congressional review period for DC laws ended. It changed DC law so adults 21 and older can possess, grow and share small amounts of weed without penalty under DC law.
It did not create a way to buy weed. DC ballot measures cannot set up programs that spend city money, so the initiative could only remove penalties. Congress then attached a rider to DC’s budget that blocks the city from regulating and taxing recreational sales. That rider is why DC still has no licensed recreational stores.
What Initiative 71 lets you do
Have up to 2 ounces
Adults 21 and older can carry or keep up to 2 ounces. That is a lot of weed: 2 ounces is 16 eighths.
Grow up to six plants at home
You can grow up to six plants inside your home, with no more than three mature at a time. The plants have to stay in your residence, and the harvest is for you, not for sale.
Give up to an ounce away
You can give up to 1 ounce to another adult 21 or older, as long as no money, goods or services are exchanged for it. This part of the law is where DC’s “gifting” model comes from. Our guide to gifting weed in DC explains how it developed.
Use it on private property
That includes your home. Landlords, hotels and other property owners can still ban smoking on their property, so check the rules where you are staying.
What is still not allowed
- Public use. Streets, sidewalks, parks, bars, restaurants and patios are all public for this purpose. See smoking weed in public in DC.
- Using it in a car. And driving high is impaired driving under DC law.
- Federal land. Federal law applies on the National Mall, at the monuments, in national parks such as Rock Creek Park, and in federal buildings. A large share of DC is federal property.
- Anyone under 21. Initiative 71 covers adults 21 and older only.
- Carrying more than the limit. Possession over 2 ounces is not covered.
DC’s medical program and self-certification
DC also runs a medical cannabis program through the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA). Since 2022, adults 21 and older can self-certify instead of getting a doctor’s recommendation. Non-residents can register for periods from 30 days to a year. A registration lets you buy at ABCA-licensed medical dispensaries. See the ABCA website for details.
You do not need a registration to order delivery from Select Co-Op. Adults 21 and older with a valid photo ID can order; here is how that works.
What about federal law?
Marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law. In April 2026, the federal government moved marijuana covered by a state medical license into Schedule III. Marijuana outside state medical programs remains in Schedule I, and a broader rescheduling decision was still pending in fall 2026. In practice, that is why federal land in DC follows federal rules.
What has changed since 2015
- 2015: Initiative 71 takes effect.
- 2022: adults 21 and older can self-certify for the DC medical program, with no doctor’s recommendation.
- 2023 to 2025: DC expands medical cannabis licensing and begins issuing new licenses for medical retailers.
- 2026: federal rescheduling moves state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III.
Frequently asked questions
Is weed legal in DC for tourists?
Yes. Visitors 21 and older have the same 2-ounce limit as residents and the same rules on public use and federal land.
How much weed can you carry in DC?
Up to 2 ounces if you are 21 or older.
Can you smoke weed in a DC hotel?
Only where the hotel allows it. Many hotels ban smoking of any kind. See our list of 420-friendly hotels in DC.
Is weed legal in DC under federal law?
No. Initiative 71 changed DC law, not federal law. Federal law is enforced on federal land in the city.
How do I get weed in DC?
Most adults use delivery. Read how to get weed in DC for every option, or browse our menu. Select Co-Op delivers across DC every day from 9am to 11pm.
This guide is general information, not legal advice.