B 26-0162 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Unlicensed Establishment Enforcement Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill expands enforcement authority against unlicensed businesses selling cannabis or illegal drugs like heroin. It directly affects unlicensed cannabis retailers and businesses selling Schedule I substances (illegal drugs) that haven't obtained a license by April 1, 2025. Key changes include ending the grace period for businesses with pending license applications, allowing immediate padlocking of unlicensed operations selling illegal drugs, and authorizing inspections and closures of medical cannabis businesses engaging in unlawful activity. The law clarifies that enforcement can begin immediately without waiting for license approvals and applies to both recreational and medical cannabis businesses operating illegally.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Council Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Feb 28, 2025 Signed Mar 21, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands enforcement authority to close unlicensed cannabis and Schedule I substance operations in the District of Columbia. The changes allow the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and Metropolitan Police Department to take action against businesses selling illegal substances, including those with pending license applications, and extend padlocking authority to licensed medical cannabis establishments engaging in unlawful activity.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include Schedule I substances alongside cannabis products, applies enforcement to businesses with pending license applications, and extends enforcement to licensed medical cannabis establishments that violate the law.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Schedule I substance' to include controlled substances listed in the District's Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

SCOPE

Expanded the definition of 'unlicensed establishment' to include businesses selling Schedule I substances or products containing them.

ENFORCEMENT

Authorized ABCA and MPD to take enforcement actions against unlicensed establishments with pending license applications if they sell Schedule I substances before April 1, 2025.

Added authority to continue summary closures and padlocking beyond the initial enforcement period if imminent danger to the public persists or is likely to recur.

Extended enforcement authority to include licensed medical cannabis establishments that engage in unlawful activity, allowing ABCA and MPD to take related enforcement actions.

TIMELINE

Removed the grace period that previously prevented enforcement against certain unlicensed businesses that applied for licenses but hadn't received them by April 1, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

Modified Section 9(g) to expand seizure authority to include Schedule I substances and products containing them, not just cannabis products.

Floor votes · Council Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

12–0

Passed

Total votes 12

Mar 4, 2025

D Democratic10

10 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 4, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (12-0)

council

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Retained by the Council with comments from the Committee on Business and Economic Development

legislature

Feb 28, 2025

Introduced

B26-0162 Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors