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recreational dispensary dc guide

Recreational Dispensary DC Guide

Making your way to the nation’s capital anytime soon? Whether you’re making the trip for work, family, or pleasure, there’s no better way to enjoy Washington DC than to participate in the thriving weed scene! Ever since the legalization of recreational marijuana, DC residents and tourists alike have enjoyed the rise in recreational dispensaries across the area. But as much as we love spreading the good word on bud, no one wants to accidentally break the law when having fun in DC!

That’s why in this article, we’re spilling all the best kept secrets on safely and legally getting the best weed in DC. The first thing you should know is that Initiative 71 is the be-all-and-end-all of procuring weed in DC. This regulation outlines exactly what you can and cannot do in DC. For starters, adults aged 21 are only allowed to legally own up to 2 ounces of cannabis. Buying and selling of cannabis is still not permitted, but the sharing and gifting of weed is 100% okay. Keep this in mind later for when we dive deeper into the gifting culture and cannabis laws in the nation’s capital.

Keep on reading to also learn exactly where to score some top-shelf weed in the area! This article covers which dispensaries and weed delivery services to check out and what to know when buying for the very first time.

I71 Compliant Dispensaries in DC 

If you’re on the lookout for high quality CBD and THC products, here are some tried-and-tested weed dispensaries courtesy of DC residents and smokers. It’s worth noting that you should only interact with the best dispensaries that comply with Initiative 71.

While the legalization of marijuana use has been a tremendous development in DC, the sale and purchase of weed is unfortunately not quite there yet. Hence, the gifting system is essential to legally getting your hands on some good quality bud. The great news is that you don’t have to worry about securing a medical marijuana card. These often take time and money, which makes the gifting process the most convenient and accessible way to get lit in the district of Columbia.

Dispensaries and overview of product offerings, prices, and locations, customer reviews and ratings

Elevated Lounge DC

As one of the well-loved DC dispensaries, Elevated Lounge DC certainly lives up to its name. With an amazing selection of flower, prerolls, vapes, edibles, and concentrates, this is simply the place to be if you’re looking to have a spectacular high.

One of their most sought-after products would be the Build Your Own Bouquet, which allows clients to mix and match the flower of their choice. They also offer all kinds of edibles, from salty to sweet and savory snacks to munch on.

Whether you’re craving a satisfying body high or a mellow head high, Elevated Lounge is sure to have exactly what you’re craving. The best part is that they’re open everyday from 12PM to 8PM along Wisconsin Avenue Northwest. 

Cannabear

Cannabear DC is one of the Worried about leaving a digital trace? No worries, Cannabear DC specializes in cash-on-delivery weed services!

This weed delivery service has become a fan favorite among DC smokers due to their exceptional customer service and product quality! Cannabear welcomes both newcomers and seasoned veterans to enjoy their wide range of distillate cartridges, prerolls, flowers, and more.

If you’re feeling particularly down, why not treat yourself to their top-shelf edibles as well? All it takes is one phone call to enjoy a high you certainly won’t forget! Opening as early as 11AM every day, Cannabear DC is definitely a must-try when visiting DC.

Dessert First DC

Are you the type of person who loves having dessert first? This weed delivery service will be right up your alley then! Whether you’re on the hunt for Indica, hybrid, or sativa strains, Dessert First DC has got it all. Their Birthday Cake, Slurricane, and Runtzcane strains are absolutely to die for.

No one can stop by Dessert First without trying their signature Orange Cookies or White Tahoe OG Live Resin concentrates. With their cannabis-inspired beats and overall good vibes, Dessert First guarantees high-quality products that will have you coming back for more. So if you’re in the area, be sure to try out DC’s finest delivery service and enjoy their promos as well! 

Legacy DC

legacy dc

Just across the street from the U St. Metro Station, you’ll find one of DC’s most beloved dispensaries: Legacy DC! 

Their product line offers classic flower strains such as ice cream cake, lemon cherry gelato, and grape gas. They also offer amazing dipped and infused prerolls that is sure to have you flying sky high!

Legacy DC is also extremely convenient since you can order past 8PM and have it picked up as early as the next morning. Thanks to their accommodating customer service and menu quality, DC residents have vouched for this premium marijuana dispensary.

Tips for Getting Recreational Weed in Washington DC 

When visiting dispensaries in DC, it might be confusing for first-time visitors. After all, the gifting system can be quite complicated to understand at first. But once you get the hang of it, it can be a truly exciting and immersive experience.

First, when entering a new weed dispensary, make sure not to ask where you can “buy” the weed. The important part of getting recreational weed is to get the lingo right. You’ll also want to ask about their branded merchandise. Whether it’s street art, virtual tokens, stickers, music, clothing, and the like, you’ll have to remember that you’re technically buying the branded product and receiving the cannabis product as a gift. 

That being said, you can inquire about their product menu by asking about the freebies and gifts available. Most marijuana dispensaries provide a diverse selection of cannabis products such as flower, concentrates, pre rolls, vape cartridges, and more.

The key to finding the perfect product is being open-minded and honest with the budtenders. Let them know exactly what you want! Everyone reacts to weed in a different way, which makes it all the more important for customers to know what they can and cannot take. If you have specific tastes or restrictions, be upfront with it! 

If you prefer online ordering, the process is a little bit different. First, you’ll usually have to send a quick selfie with your ID to verify your age. Don’t take this against the dispensary as it’s a precautionary measure to keep minors away! Then, you can specify whether you want the delivery ASAP or sometime the next day. Most weed dispensaries allow for curbside pick-up or delivery straight to your door. 

Where to Smoke in DC 

After scoring some top-notch cannabis products, you might be itching to try them right away. But wait a second! Where can you smoke in DC without breaking the rules? We can all agree that no one wants to rub shoulders with law enforcement during a trippy high!

Places you can smoke weed 

As always, the safest place to smoke is at home! But if you’re just passing through DC, you might be curious as to where you can get extremely tripped up. 

Thanks to the growing weed community, DC has witnessed a spike in 420-friendly accommodations and establishments. For starts, when booking Airbnbs, you might be surprised to find that there are some hosts that will provide prerolls for you upon checking in! These might be a bit niche kinds of accommodations, but it’s definitely something you’d want to try for a night or two.

You’ll also find that there are restaurants, bars, lounges, and cafes that will let you get high in peace. The internet is chock-full with forums describing which establishments are 420-friendly, specifically if you’re looking for smoking rooms, open roof decks, and open bars. 

Places you can’t smoke weed 

places you cant smoke weed

When in doubt, don’t smoke out…side. Generally speaking, smoking in public in DC is against Initiative 71. Whether you’re in a public park or sidewalk, you’ll want to tuck away your joint or pipe. Having weed in public is especially dangerous if you’re visiting national parks, national monuments, and federal land. And given that Washington DC is comprised of nearly ⅓ federal land, you’ll want to be careful where you’re smoking up.

If you’re keen on hotboxing or lighting up a preroll in your car, then this might come as bad news as well: smoking in vehicles is still considered public smoking.

As mentioned earlier, smoking on private property such as restaurants or bars truly depends on the owner and/or staff. The rules change depending on the establishment, so it’s best to consult with local smokers you meet in cannabis dispensaries or online spaces.

You can also respectfully ask the establishment if you can enjoy a roll or two and see how they react. As long as you’re not being rude or disrespectful during your high, you’ll be surprised how many places let you kick back and enjoy your high!

Get Your Weed at Legacy DC 

Navigating the weed scene should be a piece of cake now that you know the best dispensaries of DC! Every weed delivery service and marijuana dispensary in the area offers its own unique take on cannabis culture, which makes the exploration all the more exciting.


If you’re looking to experience the high of your life, Legacy DC has everything you’ll need to get there! Whether it’s a curbside pick up or in-store visit, this DC dispensary offers amazing customer service and product quality that you simply can’t find elsewhere.

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