District of Columbia Statewide Rule

Washington DC Home Cannabis Cultivation: 6-Plant Limit

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across District of Columbia (2026)

Key Facts

Per-adult limit: 6 plants, 3 flowering
Household cap: 12 plants, 6 flowering
Minimum age: 21 and older
Location: Principal residence interior only
Sales: Not authorized

Last verified: July 31, 2026

Summary

District of Columbia law lets adults 21 and older grow up to six cannabis plants, no more than three flowering, inside their principal residence, capped at 12 plants per household.

Possess, grow, harvest, or process, within the interior of a house or rental unit that constitutes such person's principal residence, no more than 6 cannabis plants, with 3 or fewer being mature, flowering plants; provided, that all persons residing within a single house or single rental unit may not possess, grow, harvest, or process, in the aggregate, more than 12 cannabis plants, with 6 or fewer being mature, flowering plants

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Full Breakdown

Under Initiative 71, DC Official Code § 48-904.01(a)(1)(C) makes it lawful for anyone 21 or older to possess, grow, harvest, or process no more than 6 cannabis plants inside the house or rental unit that is their principal residence, with 3 or fewer being mature, flowering plants. Everyone living in a single home or rental unit may possess no more than 12 plants in the aggregate, with 6 or fewer mature. Plants must stay inside the residence. The statute does not authorize selling or offering cannabis plants for sale: the congressional appropriations rider still blocks a commercial recreational retail market in the District.

Violations & Penalties

Growing over the 6-plant personal or 12-plant household cap, or cultivating for sale, falls outside Initiative 71's protection and is prosecutable by the DC Metropolitan Police Department and the US Attorney's Office as unlawful possession with intent or manufacture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cannabis plants can I grow at home in DC?

Up to 6 plants per adult, with no more than 3 mature and flowering, inside your principal residence. A single household is capped at 12 plants total, 6 or fewer flowering.

Can I sell what I grow?

No. DC Code § 48-904.01 does not make it lawful to sell or offer cannabis plants for sale, and the congressional rider blocks commercial recreational retail in the District.

Can I grow outdoors or in a shared area?

No. Cultivation must occur inside the house or rental unit that is your principal residence, not in yards, common areas, or public view.

Sources

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