D.C. Votes to Let Medical Marijuana Patients ‘Self-Certify’ Without Doctors

The Washington D.C. Council unanimously approved an emergency bill this week that will allow adults to register for the District’s medical marijuana program simply by “self-certifying” that they will use marijuana for medical purposes.

The measure does away with the need for a doctor’s note to purchase cannabis at any of D.C.’s seven licensed medical dispensaries. Once it goes into effect, adults 21 and older will theoretically be able to walk into a dispensary, sign a piece of paper, and walk out with weed on the same day.

As an emergency measure, the bill doesn’t require a second vote by the council or approval from Congress, noted The Outlaw Report. It now heads to the desk of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for a signature, and is set to expire 90 days after taking effect.

Though the new law is poised to make a significant wave on D.C.’s cannabis market, it was approved after only 15 minutes of discussion by all 13 members of the council.

Most states in the U.S. have legalized medical marijuana use and sales while 19 have legalized adult use and sales. Arizona legalized medical marijuana use and sales in 2010 and recreational marijuana use and sales in 2021.