Washington, D.C
DC cracks down on 'gifting' weed shops in massive sweep
Fifth illegal cannabis shop shut down in DC
Another illegal cannabis shop was shut down and raided on Wednesday, the fifth closure since a new law passed by the D.C. Council has been enforced in recent weeks. FOX 5’s Homa Bash has the story.
WASHINGTON – For years, unlicensed cannabis shops in D.C. operated under the guise of “gifting” marijuana, but in the past six months, officials have shut down 25 for illegal sales and safety violations.
DC cannabis crackdown
The backstory:
The Office of the Attorney General, in collaboration with the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration and the Metropolitan Police Department, targeted businesses operating outside the law, many of which were found selling cannabis products laced with other narcotics.
“For too long, unlicensed cannabis stores have been illegally selling unregulated, untested products that put District residents’ safety at risk,” AG Schwalb said in a press release. “All so-called ‘gifting shops’ were given ample time to apply for legal medical marijuana licenses, but many failed or refused to do so.”
Authorities have taken enforcement action against 38 businesses, permanently shutting down a majority while bringing others into compliance. During the investigations, officials seized illegal drugs, weapons, and large sums of cash.
In one case, an unlicensed retailer was found selling cannabis contaminated with amphetamines and psilocybin.
Debate continues in DC over establishment of recreational marijuana market
Another raid led to the recovery of over 35 pounds of cannabis flower, 22 pounds of THC edibles, 6 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, 2 pounds each of cocaine and methamphetamine, a firearm, and $6,817 in cash. Officers also recovered ten dogs from the property.
The crackdown follows a 2023 law passed by the D.C. Council expanding the medical cannabis system and providing a legal path for illicit businesses to enter the regulated market.
Despite these opportunities, many unlicensed operators continued selling cannabis illegally, prompting the District to ramp up enforcement.
Illegal weed shops raided
Big picture view:
Since July 2024, ABCA has issued cease-and-desist orders to non-compliant businesses.
The first store to be forcibly closed under the new law, Supreme Terpene, was shut down in September 2024. Since then, enforcement operations have shuttered numerous shops across the city, including Green Cloud Shop, Capitol Budz, and District Smoke Shop.
Some locations have reopened as non-cannabis businesses, while others have permanently closed.
Recent closures also highlight continued risks associated with illegal cannabis sales.
Officials raided The Green Room in September, marking the fifth closure under the new law’s enforcement.
Then, in November, Peace in the Air, another unlicensed retailer, was forced to close after violating a cease-and-desist order.
ABCA and MPD shut down All the Buzz DC on Georgia Avenue NW in December, citing public health concerns.
Schwalb emphasized that the District remains committed to holding illegal operators accountable and ensuring that only licensed, regulated businesses sell cannabis products.
“We are demonstrating our collective commitment to ensuring that every store selling cannabis products in the District complies with the law and plays by the rules,” he said.
Which DC dispensaries have closed?
· Supreme Terpene: 1344 U Street NW
· Green Cloud Shop: 706 Kennedy Street NW
· All American Papers: 504 H Street NE
· Farmerz/Stonerz: 3236 Prospect Street NW
· The Green Room/Flight Pass: 1338 U Street NW
· In the Cut: 1460 Park Road NW
· Capitol Budz: 607 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
· Coupons R Us: 6234 Georgia Avenue NW
· Kaliiva: 1731 Columbia Road NW
· Peace in the Air: 2118 18th Street NW
· Promoco LLC: 1813 18th Street NW
· CBT LLC: 335 H Street NE
· LifeLuxee/Cannabis Karma: 825 Upshur Street NW
· All the Buzz: 3232 Georgia Avenue NW
· KAE/Green Department: 2720 Georgia Avenue NW
· Capital THC: 1123 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
· Hidden Gym, LLC: 1508 14th Street NW*
· Forest Floor: 924 5th Street NW
· Pride Smoke Shop: 1502 21st Street NW
· YouGroGurl: 337 H Street NE
· VIP Clientele: 3551 Georgia Avenue NW*
· Power Night Club: 2335 Bladensburg Road NE*
· Dreams Smoke Shop: 2335 18th Street NW*
· Nomad Smoke Shop: 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE*
· District Smoke Shop/District Cure: 2626 Georgia Avenue NW**
* Reopened as a mon-cannabis retailer
** Licensed facility remains open; unlicensed second floor unit closed
The Source: DC Office of the Attorney General
WASHINGTON – D.C. police are investigating a shooting that happened near a nightclub in Northwest D.C. this week.
One man was shot, and two others were hurt.
What we know:
Police are asking for help finding the person who opened fire, shooting a man in the 1100 block of 18th Street, NW.
D.C. police say the trouble started when a large crowd started fighting outside a nearby club around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, after an argument broke out inside the club.
Police broke up the fight, dispersing the crowd outside, but moments later, while officers were still on scene, gunshots rang out.
Police quickly found the shooting victim, and they were immediately taken to an area hospital. The victim is expected to be ok.
After searching the area, police found two more people who were injured, grazed by bullets.
Local perspective:
The general manager of Talking Tacos restaurant told FOX 5 that he saw the aftermath, and was concerned for his safety and his customers’ safety.
Police say officers detained some people after the shooting but no official arrests have been made.
The investigation is ongoing. MPD is asking anyone with information about this shooting to give them a call at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411.
WASHINGTON – The D.C. Attorney General has filed a civil lawsuit aimed at shutting down what officials describe as a sprawling real‑estate fraud scheme that exploits tenants, lenders and District agencies while worsening the city’s affordable‑housing crisis.
What we know:
Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb alleges that Ali “Sam” Razjooyan, his brother Eimon “Ray” Razjooyan and their mother, Houri Razjooyan, have been running an illegal real‑estate network that controls dozens of apartment buildings across the District.
According to Schwalb’s office, the family has spent the past decade acquiring more than 70 mostly rent‑controlled buildings, 90% of them in Wards 7 and 8.
The lawsuit alleges that, through a Ponzi‑style operation, the Razjooyans use fake financial documents and false renovation promises to secure loans.
They would then rent them to tenants who receive housing subsidies that are paid by the District agencies and that are above the rent-stabilized amounts, officials said.
Instead of repairing the properties, investigators say the Razjooyans would keep the loan money and use it to pay off earlier debts and buy new buildings to continue the scheme.
Schwalb’s office says the scheme left hundreds of vulnerable tenants living in dangerous conditions, including infestations, gas leaks, electrical hazards, mold, flooding and piles of trash.
What they’re saying:
The lawsuit accuses the family of defrauding District agencies out of more than $16 million by falsely certifying that their units were safe and habitable, a requirement for receiving housing‑subsidy payments.
“Today, we’re dismantling the Razjooyan slumlord empire,” Schwalb said in a statement. “DC has a serious housing affordability problem, and slumlords like the Razjooyans make things worse by decreasing the available housing supply and forcing tenants to live in horrific conditions. Their business model, by design, preys on tenants for profit — cheating banks, private lenders, and the DC government along the way. Instead of addressing each building individually, we’re attacking the very foundation of their illegal operation. As the District’s independent Attorney General, I am committed to using the law to put an end to such fraud and exploitation and to protect affordable housing in the District.”
Read the lawsuit here.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
WASHINGTON (7News) — A group of Buddhist monks walked from Fort Worth Texas to Washington D.C. finishing their months-long journey on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Thousands waited on the memorial to welcome them and hear about their journey.
The monks have made many strides but not without challenges along the way including a monk being hit by a car in Texas and Aloka, the peace dog needing surgery during their stop in South Carolina.
Millions have tracked the monks progress through a live map.
Throughout the eight states, millions of Americans have followed their journey in person or on line.
SEE MORE | Where to see the Monks’ Walk for Peace during last full day in DC
Two friend drove from Indianapolis, Indiana to DC to see the monks.
“I feel like its important. I support the fact that they are bringing attention to world peace and I wanted to be apart of it,” Rhonda Harris told 7News.
“I had been following them some time ago, when thy got to Georgia and my daughter lives in Columbus and I missed them to see them so I’ve been waiting on the opportunity to come and join them, Lasima Packet said.
Marissa Shea, traveled from Fort Lauderdale Florida, but not without stopping and seeing them in South Carolina first. She drove from Florida to see them in Washington, D.C.
SEE ALSO | Venerable Monks touch hearts during Walk for Peace in Virginia en route to DC
“The message is so needed right now.. and its brought me so much peace.”
Now that the monks have completed their journey, a source tells 7News, the group will take a chartered bus back to Fort Worth, Texas but the message on peace will continue.
Second US aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East, AP source says, as Iran tensions high
Beloved sandcastle artist booted from California beach by luxury hotel after nearly 20 years
Early missteps, delayed search plane response emerge in Savannah Guthrie’s mother disappearance
Rep. Steve Cohen tells Pam Bondi that ‘worst of the worst’ are native-born Americans, not immigrants
AI raises the stakes for national security. Here’s how to get it right
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Second US aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East, AP source says, as Iran tensions high
Tim Walz demands federal government ‘pay for what they broke’ after Homan announces Minnesota drawdown
Leaders embrace two-speed Europe as Macron sets June deadline
What the data tells us about kidnapped people — and how Nancy Guthrie is an outlier
House Republican Greg Steube introduces bill to nix controversial H-1B visa program
-
Politics1 week agoWhite House says murder rate plummeted to lowest level since 1900 under Trump administration
-
Alabama6 days agoGeneva’s Kiera Howell, 16, auditions for ‘American Idol’ season 24
-
Politics1 week agoTrump unveils new rendering of sprawling White House ballroom project
-
San Francisco, CA1 week agoExclusive | Super Bowl 2026: Guide to the hottest events, concerts and parties happening in San Francisco
-
Ohio1 week agoOhio town launching treasure hunt for $10K worth of gold, jewelry
-
Culture1 week agoAnnotating the Judge’s Decision in the Case of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-Year-Old Detained by ICE
-
Culture1 week agoIs Emily Brontë’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ Actually the Greatest Love Story of All Time?
-
News1 week agoThe Long Goodbye: A California Couple Self-Deports to Mexico