District Announces First Round of Winners of Medical Marijuana Cultivation Licenses

Almost all to be located in Ward 5

On January 5, the D.C. Department of Health (DOH) announced the first round of winners of medical marijuana cultivation center licenses.

Six of the seven winning applications are for locations in Ward 5 [see box at right]. The seventh location is in Ward 7.

The Ward 5 locations are clustered within a few blocks of each other and in the immediate vicinity of the Stadium Club strip club on Queens Chapel Road.

In a letter to Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, DOH described the 7 license awards as “provisional,” pending a 30-day comment period given to the affected ANC. The 30-day comment period ends on February 3rd. The license awards will be finalized on March 2nd.

The winning applications were selected by a panel using a point process. Up to 200 points are awarded per application based on a number of criteria, including “suitability” of the proposed facility, staffing plan, security plan, cultivation plan, and business plan.

See box at right for members of the selection panel.

DOH said the next round of additional cultivation center license awards will be announced at the end of January. According to regulations passed by the D.C. Council, the District will award a maximum of 10 medical marijuana cultivation center licenses. Each cultivation center license allows the holder to grow up to 95 marijuana plants.

The cultivation of marijuana is illegal under federal law. If convicted of growing 50-99 marijuana plants, individuals are subject to a prison term of up to 20 years and fines of up to $1 million.

In July, Deputy Attorney General James Cole sent a memo to all U.S. Attorneys providing guidance on enforcement of federal drug laws. Bill Miller, spokesperson for Ronald Machen, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said Mr. Machen is reviewing the guidance and continuing to study the issue.

The District’s award of medical marijuana dispensary licenses is on a different timeline. The provisional winners of dispensary licenses will be announced on January 31st and the licenses will be finalized on March 30th. By law, the District can issue up to 5 medical marijuana dispensary licenses.

First Round of Medical Marijuana Cultivation Centers Located in Ward 5:

Selection Panel:

Patricia M. D'Antonio
D.C. Department of Health

Helder Gil
D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

Emil King
D.C. Department of the Environment

Arthur J. Parker
D.C. Office of the Attorney General

Heath E. Scott
Metropolitan Police Department

Wayne Turner
Consumer Member