SAVE DC HEMP
YOUR CANNABIS ACCESS IS UNDER ATTACK
Your access to federally legal cannabis is under attack.
Hemp-derived products are federally legal under the 2018 farm bill. if you’ve ever purchased cannabis with a credit card in dc, you’ve likely purchased hemp-derived products.
New dc legislation is requiring all cannabis shops - even those that are federally legal - to transition to the medical cannabis program. this means you would need a medical card to purchase cannabis legally in the district.
this is impacting federally legal hemp shops, which are not i-71 gifting shops and do not operate under the “gray market” this legislation aims to break up.
want access to cannabis products without a medical card?
let your voice be heard.
tell your dc council members to EXEMPT FEDERALLY LEGAL HEMP SHOPS FROM THE emergency legislation against NON-MEDICAL CANNABIS and keep federally legal hemp shops operating as they have and continue to across the country.
Here’s a sample script for you to work from:
I’m calling to oppose the recently passed Medical Cannabis Program Enforcement Emergency Amendment Act of 2024. This legislation has emboldened abca to shut down legitimate businesses selling hemp-derived products, which are federally legal. the shops being targeted and penalized comply with age restrictions and third-party lab testing. they are not the black or gray market. other states and jurisdictions, even republican states, allow these shops to operate and reap the benefits of a regulated, taxpaying industry. as your constituent, i’m requesting that you create a hemp exemption for these federally legal shops.
WHY THE MOVE TO oNLY MEDICAL IS WRONG.
wHILE WE BELIEVE IN REGULATION to keep consumers safe - THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT. we support common sense legislation like georgia’s and north carolina’s. this includes specific hemp licensing, 21+ age restriction, adequate third-party testing, and appropriate and accurate labeling.
THIS move to push all CANNABIS to medical, however, IS a step backwards in the fight for safe, legal cannabis - and will without a doubt increase consumption of illicit goods. Prohibition never works.
the medical cannabis program requires all cannabis products to be grown, tested, and manufactured in dc; however, the current medical market does not have the supply chain nor the space to meet the needs of all new retail applicants of the city. This means the lack of product will lead to higher prices and less access to safe products.
Additionally, requiring consumers to apply for a medical card and essentially register with the government to consume cannabis is wrong. many will face discrimination and have their employment in jeopardy.
We believe in medical marijuana. if people want or need to consume cannabis medicinally, they should absolutely be able to do that. but this supply chain issue makes it harder for these medical patients to get the products they need.
we also believe that recreational consumers should be able to access cannabis as well. hemp provides a viable option to do this.