Accessing medical cannabis just got easier for potential patients.
In late June, the D.C. Council gave unanimous approval to the Medical Marijuana Self-Certification Emergency Act of 2022 (the Act).
Under the Act, patients do not need a physician’s recommendation to access medical cannabis.
Patients can now self-certify.
On Wednesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Act into law.
“We know that by bringing more medical marijuana patients into the legal marketplace in a timely manner and doing more to level the playing field for licensed medical marijuana providers, we can protect residents, support local businesses, and provide clarity to the community,” says Mayor Bowser. “I applaud the Council for moving forward this innovative solution to a complex issue, and I look forward to working with the Council and ABRA on permanent, more comprehensive medical marijuana legislation in the future.”
Mayor Bowser says building a more patient-centric medical cannabis program has been a priority for years, and the new legislation builds upon those efforts.
Under the new law, patients can obtain a medical cannabis card in one day at the the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) office at 2000 14th Street, NW.
The DC Cannabis Trade Association (DCCTA) says the new law will help lift some of the burdens of becoming a patient.
DCCTA says obtaining a physician’s recommendation is an arbitrary and antiquated step, and the new process will save patients time and money.
While residents can now obtain cards by self-certifying, patients who visit Washington D.C. can take advantage of its medical cannabis program’s reciprocity, which honors patient cards from other states.
With the mayor’s signature in place, the Act goes into effect immediately.
