DC’s recreational cannabis market is more than a little bit strange. Treehouse Dispensary nation’s capital has legalized possession of up to two ounces of marijuana for adults 21 and older, but public consumption is still illegal. That’s why you’ll see folks peddling gummy spliff gift bags on just about any street. It’s also why you won’t find any actual storefronts for these dispensaries, though the District does allow recreational weed delivery services to operate (as long as they aren’t within 1,000 feet of a school).

That federal tangle has created some odd loopholes, too. While selling weed isn’t allowed, it’s completely legal to give away recreational pot as long as you don’t receive money or other goods in return. That’s a law that local entrepreneurs have capitalized on with some creative — if not entirely ethical — methods.

How to buy weed in DC

The most straightforward way to purchase recreational marijuana in the District is at I71-compliant shops like The Garden, which works under the gifting system; you don’t actually buy rec weed, but receive it as a free item. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a resident of the District to shop here; DC visitors can simply self-certify for a medical marijuana card on site, which you can then use at any I71 dispensary. You’ll just need a valid state-issued ID and cash payment. Then you’ll be on your merry way to enjoying some of the best edibles and weed in DC.