Neighborhood Dispute: DC Residents Sue City Over Local Cannabis Shops

A group of Northwest D.C. residents and ANC-2C are taking legal action to prevent new cannabis dispensaries from opening near schools, citing safety concerns and insufficient government response.

Appeal to the D.C. Court of Appeals

The lawsuit, filed by a group called 1,000 Feet, includes residents from D.C.’s Palisades neighborhood and ANC-2C. The case has been taken to the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Concerns Over Proximity to Schools

Lucy Sullivan, representing 1,000 Feet, emphasized their goal to protect children from drug exposure. “We don’t believe that marijuana stores should operate across the street or next door to schools,” Sullivan stated. Currently, D.C. law mandates a 300-foot distance between dispensaries and schools, but Sullivan argues for a 1,000-foot rule, aligning with the Federal Drug Free School Zone Act.

Lack of Standing and Voice

Efforts to contest the license for Green Theory, a dispensary on MacArthur Boulevard NW, were dismissed by D.C.’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) due to lack of standing. Mark Lytle, representing ANC-2C in a similar lawsuit for Penn Quarter, highlighted the residents’ desire for a voice in the process.

Call for Federal Intervention

Lytle hopes the case will prompt federal attention. “Congress has the authority to allow the Department of Justice to enforce the 1,000-foot rule,” Lytle stated, aiming to draw congressional action to address the issue.

Seeking Change

Sullivan underscores the need for community input in such decisions, advocating for a revised process that considers the safety and opinions of residents. “We believe that the kids and communities deserve a voice and a say in this,” Sullivan concluded.