SAVE DC HEMP
YOUR CANNABIS ACCESS IS UNDER ATTACK
the dc council is taking away your access to federally legal cannabis.
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.
the dc council AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE AND CANNABIS aDMINISTRATION (abCa) are taking that access away, requiring all cannabis shops to transition to medical per emergency legislation passed on april 8, 2024.
these cannabis shops are not i-71 gifting shops and do not operate under the “gray market” as they are federally legal.
if you want access to cannabis products like this, 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 MEDICAL IS WRONG.
the medical cannabis program requires all growing, cultivating, manufacturing to happen 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.
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.