D.C. Code § 7-1675.01 – Penalties for commercial property owners of illegal cannabis businesses.

Chapter 16C Penalties for commercial property owners of illegal cannabis businesses.

(a)
1. (1) After the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board ("ABC Board") makes final determinations for the licensure of unlicensed establishments pursuant to §§ 7-1671.06a and 7-1671.06b for the first violation of § 7-1671.08(f), the ABC Board shall send a notice to the commercial property owner where the illegal activity occurred stating:
  1. (A) The nature of illegal activity documented on the premises;
  2. (B) The specific action or actions being taken against the licensee operating on the premises; and
  3. (C) That the commercial property owner may be subject to civil penalties for any subsequent illegal activity under § 7-1671.08(f) pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
2. (2) Notices issued pursuant to this subsection shall be provided to the Director of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, and the Office of the Attorney General.
(b) For any subsequent violation of § 7-1671.08(f):
1. (1) The ABC Board shall issue a fine in the amount of up to $10,000 to the commercial property owner; and
2. (2)
  1. (A) The ABC Board shall require the commercial property owner to submit a remediation plan within 14 days after the notice of a fine under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the ABC Board that contains the commercial property owner's plan to prevent any future violations of § 7-1671.08(f).
  2. (B) If the commercial property owner fails to submit a remediation plan in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, or if the ABC Board rejects the commercial property owner's remediation plan, the ABC Board may issue additional fines.
(c)
1. (1) A commercial property owner has the right to request a hearing with the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board ("ABC Board")" within 3 business days after service of notice of any actions taken under subsection (b) of this section.
2. (2) If a commercial property owner timely requests a hearing pursuant to this subsection, the ABC Board shall hold a hearing within 3 business days after receiving the request.
3. (3) The ABC Board shall issue an opinion no later than 30 calendar days after the hearing.
(d) Revenue collected from fines imposed pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the General Fund of the District of Columbia.
(e) For purposes of this paragraph, the term:
1. (1) "Business days" means days in which the ABC Board is open for business.
2. (2) "Cannabis" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 48-901.02(3).

Applicability of D.C. Law 24-332: § 9 of D.C. Law 24-332 provided that the creation of this section by § 8 of D.C. Law 24-332 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

History

Mar. 22, 2023, D.C. Law 24-332, § 8

Dec. 17, 2024, D.C. Law 25-255, § 5

Dec. 6, 2025, D.C. Law 26-55, § 5053

Applicability

Section 3(b) of D.C. Act 25-371 amended § 9 of D.C. Law 24-332 removing the applicability provision impacting this section. Therefore the amendment of this section by § 8 of Law 24-332 has been implemented.

Section 3(b) of D.C. Law 25-153 amended § 9 of D.C. Law 25-153 removing the applicability provision impacting this section. Therefore the amendment of this section by § 8 of Law 25-153 has been implemented.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3(a) of Medical Cannabis Program Enforcement Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-371, Jan. 25, 2024, 71 DCR 1200).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3(a) of Medical Cannabis Program Enforcement Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-445, Apr. 15, 2024, 71 DCR 4629).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 5 of Medical Cannabis Clarification and Program Enforcement Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-627, Nov. 13, 2024, 71 DCR 14129).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 5053 of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-146, Sept. 3, 2025, 72 DCR 9623).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 5053 of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-210, Nov. 24, 2025, 72 DCR 13514).

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 3(a) of Medical Cannabis Program Enforcement Temporary Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25-153, Apr. 10, 2024, 71 DCR 2082).