Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 6A) met via Zoom on Dec. 14. Commissioners Keya Chatterjee (6A01, vice chair), Mike Velasquez (6A02), Roberta Shapiro (6A03), Amber Gove (6A04, chair), Dave Wethington (6A05), Robb Dooling (6A06) and Steve Moilanen (6A07) were in attendance.
The Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis istration (ABCA) is currently taking applications from gray market cannabis entrepreneurs to enter the District’s longstanding medical marijuana program.
In 2014, Initiative 71 (I-71) legalized possession of up to two ounces of weed and cultivation of only three mature plants at a time, which remains a federal Schedule 1 substance subject to felony arrest. The referendum also permitted “gifts” between individuals of no more than one ounce of cannabis.
A loophole in the law has hindered regulation of DC’s retail marijuana sector and engendered a probably illegal and rapidly expanding drug businesses that have been the subject of concern, especially along H Street NE due to the uptick in crime and violence surrounding these stores.
At recent ABCA training, cannabis enforcement by District agencies including the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was discussed, Commissioner Shapiro stated. “The staff at ABCA seemed more confused than I was regarding issues of enforcement,” she said.
It is critical for the commission, collaborating with nearby ANCs, to create standardized and effective enforcement for different areas of the city, Shapiro stated.
Commissioner Chatterjee echoed Shapiro’s statements. Current law prohibits medical dispensaries from operating within 400 feet of each other, she pointed out. “We currently have a bunch of establishments that don’t have medical licenses and are much more dense than 400 feet in our ANC,” she noted. Commissioner Velasquez saw the benefits to increased enforcement. “I think the intent was to allow the people who are illegally operating businesses the opportunity to try and become legal,” Velasquez said. “[This is] an attempt by the city to establish a protocol to operate these businesses legally, and an attempt to finally enforce the laws for those that are operating illegally.”
The commission took no vote on this matter.
Other Matters
Dept. of Public Works (DPW) Chief of External Affairs Tommie Jones briefed the commission on the agency’s allocation of resources. He encouraged commissioners and community to get involved with their community centers, recreation centers and public spaces.
Shadow US Representative Dr. Oye I. Owolewa spoke to commissioners about the fight for DC Statehood as well as healthcare and public safety initiatives.
The commission voted to oppose Washington Gas’ PROJECTpipes Phase 3 application and send copies of their resolution to the DC Council, the Office of the People’s Council and the Office of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D).
The next meeting of ANC 6A is at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 via Zoom. Get details on committee meetings and how to online at anc6a.org.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at [email protected].
