After a long, three-year regulatory process, the District's first medical marijuana dispensary is set to open in April.
Capital City Care, located in Northwest located at 1334-1336 North Capitol St., will be among six licensed dispensaries to eventually operate in D.C., enabling patients with prescriptions from bonafide physicians to legally obtain marijuana. However, in order for patients to get prescriptions, their doctor's name should be listed among some 100 physicians who have reportedly expressed interest in participating in the program.
The DCist reported earlier that, "[I]f a patient's doctor isn't on that list, they'll have to find one that is—and develop an ongoing relationship with them."
While the other dispensaries have been waiting final approvals from city officials, a limit has been set by the D.C. Council on the number of cultivation centers that would be allowed, particularly in Ward 5, where most of the land zoned for cultivation centers is located.
Home cultivation is not allowed in the District, and David Guard, Capital City Care general manager said in an interview that the rules regarding dispensary at his location will be the strictest in the country.
"The receptionist will double check your ID, issued by the Department of Health, against their database," he said.
D.C.' s law was passed in 2010, making it legal for patients to poses up to 2 ounces of the dried marijuana leaves.
Conditions approved for obtaining prescriptions include HIV, AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and other conditions that interfere with the basic functions of life.
(Source: WJLA,Huffington Post)
