The Medical Cannabis Conditional Licensure Extension Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025 addresses the urgent need to amend the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1999 by extending the expiration dates of conditional licenses for various medical cannabis operations, including cultivation centers, retailers, and manufacturers, for an additional year. This resolution comes in response to significant market changes, including the closure of 71 unlicensed cannabis establishments, which has led to a surge in legal medical cannabis sales, reaching over $5.4 million in April 2025. The increase in licensed retailers from 7 to 64 since January 2024 highlights the growing demand for legal medical cannabis, necessitating a larger supply to discourage illegal market participation.

The resolution proposes emergency legislation to extend the conditional licenses, which are currently expiring, to allow license holders more time to establish their businesses amid challenges such as raising capital and securing appropriate facilities. With approximately 51 conditional cultivation center license applicants seeking to convert their licenses to permanent status, the extension aims to alleviate the limited availability of medical cannabis products. The proposed legislation would be retroactively applicable from June 28, 2025, ensuring that all affected licenses are reactivated and allowing for a more robust legal medical cannabis market in the District of Columbia. The Council has determined that these circumstances warrant immediate action, allowing the resolution to take effect without delay.