A medical cannabis dispensary is set to open on Wisconsin Avenue by December 1. The shop will take the place of the National Diving Center Scuba store at 4932 Wisconsin Avenue. This will be the first licensed medical marijuana retailer in Tenleytown and the second in Ward 3.
The store will be named C’est Moi—“it’s me”—in French. In an interview with American University’s School of Communication’s newspaper, The Wash, owner Colen Jones said that the name represents the individual atmosphere he desires for the store.
Jones, a Northwest DC native, has worked on this project for two years. He emphasized the character of the Tenleytown neighborhood and how it aligned with the kind of facility he wanted to create. “I feel like that’s what [Tenleytown is] missing, an upscale dispensary,” said Jones.
Jones said that the dispensary is designed with the convenience and privacy of shoppers in mind. For example, for customers self-conscious about buying cannabis, the front of the store will be designed like an inconspicuous waiting room with a sitting area and drinks available.
While there are currently other dispensaries in the Tenleytown area—like District Glass Studio next to Bandit Taco—none are licensed or adhere to official city regulations. According to DC’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, there are only 11 licensed dispensaries in the city.
DC’s Advisory Neighborhood Commission Chair Jonathan Bender hoped that C’est Moi’s presence will reduce illegal sales to minors reported at these nearby shops.
As of 2015, the possession of cannabis became legal in DC. Later In 2022, the district expanded access to medical cannabis in the District by allowing anyone 21 or older to qualify for medical cannabis on their own behalf. Dispensaries in DC have generated between $2.5 million and $2.9 million each month in 2024.
Due to the proximity to Jackson-Reed and American University, a concern among community members is that C’est Moi will attract customers under the age of 21. “If they choose to not follow the rules and sell to underage students, then that’s a problem,” said 12th grade Dean Minoso Rodgers.
Freshman Khloe Okoboo highlighted the prevalence of peer pressure among high schoolers, and that the presence of a dispensary in the community may add to that environment. Additionally, Rodgers and sophomore Marcus DeMammos pointed out that it’s not hard for kids to obtain marijuana and that many do already at local dispensaries. Unlike other stores, Jones said identification will be checked twice: while entering the store and while purchasing. However, seniors Anaxi Escalada and Marley Connor pointed out the possibility for fake IDs to bypass those checks.
In reference to illegal marijuana sales to minors, Rodgers commented, “I hope whoever opens [C’est Moi] is responsible, and makes sure that they’re doing it the right way and following the rules.”
