Bill To Reshape MMJ Program In D.C. Heads To Mayor Bowser Following Council's Approval

Washington D.C. lawmakers gave the green light to an amended piece of legislation seeking to make several changes to the District's medical cannabis program, reported Marijuana Moment.

The Washington, D.C. Council approved the measure from council chairman Phil Mendelson (D) on Tuesday in a 13-0 vote. The bill seeks to eliminate caps on marijuana business licensing and provide tax relief to operators. The new legislation also codifies self-certification for adults 21+ to use medical cannabis.

The Medical Cannabis Amendment Act, which advanced through several committees earlier, also includes provisions to promote social equity in addition to regulating the framework for the setting up of on-site consumption facilities and cannabis cooking classes.

The measure would also help put an end to "gifting" operators as it partially builds on a previous bill that sought to impose a $30,000 fine for unregistered businesses that "gift" marijuana to people who purchase unrelated products and services. The District Council rejected a resolution to allow expedited action on that bill shortly.

"What we are doing here is really giving a path for full business recognition for many of our [unlicensed] shops who, to their credit, found a loophole in the law and jumped on it, as many have in many different industries over time," Mendelson said on Tuesday. "But it is left them in legal limbo."

The bill is now headed to Mayor Muriel Bowser's (D) desk for her signature.

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