WASHINGTON — Authorities say they’ve shut down the 100th illegal cannabis shop in D.C. They say that the operation ran out of a private residence in Southeast, where a rifle and shotgun were also recovered.

Since this crackdown began a couple of years ago, authorities say they’ve seized more than 700 pounds of unregulated marijuana and 90 pounds of illegal mushrooms.

Oftentimes, police say, weapons or laced drugs are also found at these illegal shops.

Authorities tell WUSA9 that 16 of the 100 shuttered illegal cannabis shops were open for business in Ward 6. Half of those were along the H Street Corridor.

“H Street was suffering from a disproportionate number of these illegal shops that popped up. Many of them right here on these two blocks,” said Ward 6 councilmember Charles Allen.

DC Police say the 100th illegal cannabis shop was shut down on New Year’s Day.

So far, authorities say the entire operation has resulted in 56 arrests.

“These illegal shops, frankly, I don’t think they were businesses in any sense of the word,” said Allen. “They were largely cash operations selling untested cannabis grown outside the District. Sometimes laced with dangerous and even deadly drugs, and it was not uncommon to find weapons on the premises.”

“The mayor, law enforcement, and the community banded together to create a safe cannabis market for adults who choose to use it,” said Issa B., who was at Thursday’s announcement.

He owns New Leaf Dispensary on H Street Northeast. A year ago, it became part of D.C.’s legal medical licensing program.

“We can only get products from licensed growers in D.C. and licensed D.C. manufacturers,” said Issa.

Right now, he says his dispensary is the only one that stands on H Street Northeast

“I welcome more shops. I love seeing that area where there’s multiple shops for customers to come and visit. Where they can go in and compare,” said Issa. “It’s not really about the shop owner. It’s about the consumer. It’s about the medical need of the patients.”

“People, as you’ve already heard and know well, want thriving businesses in their neighborhoods,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Purchasing cannabis in the District currently requires a medical license.

The ABCA says D.C.’s legal medical licensing program, which includes cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers, had record breaking month in December, eclipsing $9 million in sales.