Under Initiative 71 (DC Law 20-153), DC adults 21+ may cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants at home, with no more than 3 mature flowering plants at a time, and possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis. Growing and possession are legal but sales remain prohibited under the Harris Rider blocking commercial retail. Plants must be in a secure location not visible from public space, and federal property remains fully illegal.
DC's cannabis home cultivation law is one of the most permissive in the US for personal growing, despite having no retail market. Initiative 71, passed by DC voters in 2014 and effective in 2015 (codified in DC Law 20-153 and at DC Code section 48-904.01), allows any person 21 or older to: grow up to 6 cannabis plants inside their primary residence, with a maximum of 3 mature flowering plants at any given time; possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis for personal use; transfer up to 1 ounce to another adult without remuneration (the famous 'gifting' rule); and use cannabis on private property with the owner's permission. Cultivation must occur inside the home — outdoor visible plants are prohibited — and plants must be secured against access by minors. Landlords may prohibit growing in rental leases, and federally subsidized housing (HUD, Section 8) bans cannabis entirely. The Harris Rider, a congressional appropriations rider first attached in 2014 and reauthorized annually, blocks DC from using funds to regulate and tax a commercial recreational cannabis market. As a workaround, DC has a medical cannabis program (DC Code 7-1671.01) with dispensaries serving patients, and a robust gray market of 'gifting' shops has developed. The Medical Cannabis Amendment Act of 2022 expanded access and created self-certified patients. Public consumption remains prohibited and subject to $25 civil fines. Federal property (National Mall, federal buildings, NPS parks) is still fully subject to federal criminal law.
Exceeding 6 plants / 3 mature: civil infraction $100-$500, possible misdemeanor if quantities suggest distribution. Visible outdoor grow: $100 citation plus plant forfeiture. Federal property possession: up to 1 year federal prison plus $1,000. Public consumption: $25 infraction.
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