Washington, DC arrived early on the legal weed scene and carved out a meaningful niche for itself as one of the country’s top places to buy and consume cannabis. Its example has created an irony that’s impossible to ignore: while the federal government continues to outlaw the plant, its nation’s capitol oversees a thriving regulated weed industry. 

This year, live 4/20 to the fullest in and around DC through its countless revelries, live music shows, and advocacy events.

What to know about smoking weed in DC

Washington DC legalized adult-use cannabis on the 2014 ballot through Initiative 71. Medical sales started in 2013, but I-71’s passing the year after gave all adults 21 and older the legal right to possess up to two ounces of cannabis and grow up to six weed plants at home. However, licensed dispensaries can only sell medical marijuana, so buying adult-use weed can get a little tricky. 

Dozens of stores “gift” adult-use cannabis to customers who buy a small item that has nothing to do with the plant, like a pen or a sticker. They will then leave the store with “free” weed. These gift stores are the only places to find recreational cannabis.

Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

For purchasing medical cannabis, the laws are straightforward and tend to be more forgiving than many other legal US states: 

• The district has six licensed dispensaries selling medical weed, and customers with DC medical cannabis cards can buy up to one ounce of flower or five grams of cannabis concentrates each trip.
• Patients, even those not from Washington, DC, can obtain medical cards online through the local government. A 3-day pass costs $10, a 30-day pass costs $20, and a 12-month pass costs $100. 
• DC offers reciprocity, meaning you can use medical cannabis cards from other states to buy legal weed.

Local authorities limit weed use to private residences, meaning public places like sidewalks, parks, and municipal centers are off-limits. However, several not-so-underground smoking bars and lounges are enjoying big business in DC, making it relatively easy to consume in a social setting.

Places to avoid using weed include federally owned land, which encompasses nearly a third of DC. Stay clear of Rock Creek Park and any place belonging to the US government or the US military. The National Mall is also a risky spot to light up, as simple cannabis possession on federal land, even for first-time offenders, carries a jail sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $1,000.

420 events in Washington, DC

Despite the off-limits areas, there are still plenty of places to celebrate and have a phenomenal 4/20 within the district and nearby.

National Cannabis Festival

Photo by: Courtesy of National Cannabis Festival

Previously a one-day event, the weed mega-festival added an extra day in 2024 for the first time in its nine-year history. Legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan headlines a stacked list of live music acts, including Redman, Thundercat, and Devin the Dude. The festival will also hold a National Cannabis Championship to recognize the area’s best homegrown flower.

 An exhibitor fair will include over 100 organizations, with tons of swag and product giveaways, live art, and other items from the fashion and wellness industries. The Munchies Zone will be packed with some 60 vendors, so there will be something for everyone’s tastes throughout the event. 

As a sponsor of the event, Weedmaps will be offering a ton of perks:

• Don’t want to wait in line to get in? Skip the GA line by downloading the Weedmaps app and creating an account to get access to the Weedmaps GA Express Lane at the main gate. 
• Weedmaps is hosting an on-site scavenger hunt, where you’ll get the chance to win limited Weedmaps x Hemper swag and additional NCF-specific Weedmaps swag and merch. Be part of the cannabis community and enjoy special perks as recurring app users. 
• If you haven’t yet purchased your tickets to the event, use the promo code WDMP24 for 10% off. Act fast: this offer is only good until April 19th.

You can also follow us on Instagram and watch out for your chance to win a free pair of VIP tickets. 

• Address: RFK Festival Grounds — 2500 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
• Time: April 19, 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm | April 20, 12 pm – 10:00 pm
• Price: $49 – $190

Party on Main Street: 420 Celebration

Just 15 miles from the center of DC, one of Maryland’s popular Black-owned dispensaries is hosting a free 420 bash with food trucks, live music, and munchies from delicious restaurants in the DMV area. This eight-hour event at the Mary & Main dispensary is only a short Uber ride away and worth stopping by for pop-up deals, product giveaways, and more.

• Address: Mary & Main — 8801 Hampton Mall Dr, North Capitol Heights, MD 20743
• Time: April 20, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Price: Free

420 Unity Day of Action

Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Less of a party and more of an advocacy event, the 420 Unity Day of Action aims to bring together Americans from different backgrounds and political affiliations to support cannabis. On April 18, a coalition of 28 pro-cannabis advocacy groups will attempt to lobby every single member of Congress for the full legalization of cannabis. On that day, the coalition will spread out its members and volunteers to book individual meetings with each member of Congress. 

The ultimate goal? Besides making the plant federally legal, the coalition’s lead advocacy group, the Last Prisoner Project, wants to free the estimated 3,000 Americans who are still in federal prison for low-level weed convictions.

Later in the evening, the coalition will gather in front of the White House to host a vigil for the cannabis prisoners still behind bars, as well as anyone who’s died in jail while being incarcerated for weed. The coalition invites anyone to join in, both for the lobbying efforts in the morning and for the nighttime vigil.

Lobbying event

• Address: US Capitol Visitor Center — First St SE, Washington, DC 20515 
• Time: April 18, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Price: Free

Vigil 

• Address: The White House — 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
• Time: April 18, 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm 
• Price: Free

Virginia Dual 420 Fest

Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

This three-day weed festival is a two-hour drive from DC and takes place in two separate locations simultaneously.

Organizers are putting on this “dual” festival at Misty Mountain in Greenwood and Garrett Farms in Salem, allowing you to pick the most convenient campground. Regardless of the location, count on a whole weekend or just a day packed with live music, educational seminars, movies, comedy shows, art, food, and more.

Bluegrass singer Keller Williams and hip-hop group Kottonmouth Kings will headline the music portion of the festival, while Jeffrey Peterson an Aldo Caldo are among the scheduled comedy acts. Cannabis cultivation experts Mark Herer and Logan Houze will teach their tricks of the trade, and Virginia grower Scott McStacy will also hold a seminar on sustainability.

Misty Mountain Camp Resort

• Address: 56 Misty Mountain Rd, Greenwood, VA 22943 
• Time: April 18 – 20, 11:00 am – 11:00 pm each day 
• Price: $50 – $150

Garrett Farms

• Address: 4331 Barley Dr, Salem, VA 24153
• Time: April 18 – 20, 11:00 am – 11:00 pm each day 
• Price: $50 – $150

Tips from a DC local

Lifelong DC resident Gaby Garcia said to think twice before buying recreational weed from the unlicensed “gift” stores across the district. Garcia, a recent Georgetown graduate who got her medical marijuana card while still in college, insists that paying $10 for a three-day medical weed pass is well worth the cost for tourists, “When friends or family visit from out of town, that’s what they do, and it’s really easy. You’re approved instantly, and the card lets you buy regulated marijuana,” she said. “The gift store marijuana is basically street weed, and they don’t test it.”

Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Garcia recommends Takoma Wellness as DC’s best medical weed but added that Herbal Alternatives also sells quality buds. Several licensed adult-use dispensaries, including Peake ReLeaf, Beyond Hello, Gold Leaf, and Curaleaf, are within a short drive of DC in Maryland.

Written by Chris Kudialis | Featured image by Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

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