WASHINGTON (7News) — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced new legislation Thursday that would allow D.C.’s medical cannabis industry to partner with local breweries and distilleries to produce cannabis-infused drinks.

The proposed “Medical Cannabis Beverage Product Amendment Act of 2026” would create a legal framework for licensed cannabis manufacturers to work with D.C. beverage producers to develop alcohol-free, cannabis-infused drinks for registered patients.

Officials said the bill is designed to expand options for medical cannabis users while supporting local businesses.

“This is an opportunity to support two local industries and to keep business in DC,” Bowser said. “This is a new opportunity for those two markets to collaborate and create a safe and smoke-free alternative for patients.”

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The proposal would allow for:

• Licensed medical cannabis manufacturers can partner with local breweries and distilleries for beverage production
• Establishing a license endorsementfor breweries and distilleries to manufacture cannabis-infused products
• Introducing a license endorsementfor medical cannabis manufacturers to import non-intoxicating cannabinoids for production use
• Requiring all beverages to undergo mandatory testing by a DC-licensed laboratory before retail distribution

Officials noted that the beverages must be alcohol-free and would only be sold at licensed medical cannabis dispensaries to registered patients.

Sales in grocery stores, restaurants, bars or directly from breweries would remain prohibited, “to ensure public safety, the legislation maintains strict limitations.”

If approved, the legislation could create new revenue streams for D.C.’s craft beverage industry while offering patients more smoke-free alternatives.

“It makes sense to allow partnerships between the District’s medical cannabis and alcohol manufacturing industries to produce medical cannabis beverages,” saidFred Moosally, Director of the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration. “Providing a legal pathway for our local breweries and distilleries to utilize their expertise in beverage production is the logical next step in maturing DC’s medical cannabis marketplace and supporting our local business ecosystem.”