DC shuts down more businesses illegally selling cannabis

On Oct. 30, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration ordered the closure of Safe House located on H Street. Two days prior closure orders of VIP Clientele located on Georgia Avenue were issued.

According to the ABCA, the businesses pose a danger to the public's health and safety. Search warrants were issued for both businesses. When officers arrived they say the cannabis could be seen in plain sight. 

At VIP Clientele, officers recovered two pounds of marijuana, 46 grams of THC wax, and 10 grams of entheogenic mushrooms. At Safe House officers seized, more than 11 pounds of marijuana, 164 grams of entheogenic mushrooms, 92 grams of laced mushrooms edibles, and two pounds of THC laced edibles. 

Both businesses remain bordered with padlocks. Business owners must request a hearing before the ABCA Board before access to the properties are granted. Each owner must also pay a $10,000 fine.

This is now the twelfth business that has been shut down for illegally selling weed in the last three months. 

In September, WUSA9 reported on the shut down of Green Cloud Shop located on Kennedy for illegally selling weed without a license. According to the ABCA, the owner received several warning dating back to April before the business was shut down. 

As of October, the ABCA has issued 29 cease-and-desist orders  and 87 written warning letters to illegal cannabis businesses that did not apply for a medical cannabis business license during the open application period for unlicensed operators.