33rd St. Pot Shop Placard Revoked

Last month in my constituent newsletter, I reported on the application of a new licensed pot shop at 1658 33rd St. (in the Coco Health Spa space). I questioned how a permit could be issued for that location since it was within 400 feet of an existing licensed cannabis dealer (Capital Connect, on Wisconsin Ave.)

I’m happy to report that following my inquiries to ABCA, the placard (i.e. the application) was revoked by the ABC Board.

It’s great that the board corrected the improperly issued placard, but it’s bothersome that it took me to point out a simple geographic fact. And this is not the first time that we’ve had to raise this point with ABCA. They don’t always ultimately see it our way. For instance, when we objected to a shop opening on Grace St. for being too close to Grace Episcopal, the agency asserted that since the church building itself (not the church lot) was more than 400 feet away, than it was not an obstacle to the shop opening. (Although I’m not sure that one actually opened.)

In this particular case, I think the initial determination that the proposed location was far enough away from Capital Connect came from an ABCA inspector measuring the distance along the sidewalk. That is not the method they are supposed to use. They are supposed to measure “as the crow flies”, i.e. the shortest line between the two buildings.

As we on the ANC have said all along: we’re fine with legally licensed and regulated cannabis shops that operate under well drafted settlement agreements. But part of that is following all the proximity rules on the books. Clearly it takes a village sometimes to make sure those rules are all followed.