Shanghai, a beloved bookstore is finding a new home in Dupont
EILEEN CHEN
5
halftime leisure
D.C. theater
shines a satirical spotlight on politics
SOFIA KEMENY AND HAILEY WHARRAM
6
leisure
Thirty feet below the streets, The Washington Ballet brings the affect of high society to Dupont
AIDAN MUNROE AND ZACHARY WARREN
7 news
The worst time of the month: While experiencing homelessness, D.C. residents also struggle with period poverty
SYDNEY CARROLL
Editor-in-Chief Ajani Jones
Managing Editor Connor Martin
internal resources:
halftime sports
Beyond the pros: D.C. rec leagues are bringing sports to everyone
8
features
ANNA CORDOVA 13
“Fighting for our lives”: Environmental justice in the nation’s capital
ALEXANDRA RISI AND CHIH-RONG KUO
10
voices
Hardcore or hard to find? What happened to alternative rock bands in D.C.
ELAINE CLARKE
“Shall We?”
PIA CRUZ
is a half-apt portrait of the District and its dating scene
AMINAH MALIK
12
halftime sports
Is Jayden Daniels the answer for the Commanders?
BRADSHAW CATE
14 news
Up in smoke: D.C. officials crack down on unlicensed
The Homeless Crisis Reporting Project (HCRP), launched by Street Sense Media in 2016, is a multi-day collaborative effort between several local outlets to spotlight homelessness and related issues in the District. Check out all the coverage of the 2024 HCRP, including our own stories on the impact of D.C.’s hottest summer on the people experiencing homelessness and organized community dinners in Georgetown.
“We wouldn’t be talking about this topic were it not for decades and decades of activism by people in communities that were facing serious environmental hazards [...] That’s just a testament to the ability of activist campaigns to put this issue on the agenda.”
Exec. Manager for Staff Sabrina Shaffer
Exec. Editor for Resources, Diversity, and Inclusion Aminah Malik
Asst. Editor for Resources, Diversity, and Inclusion Imani Liburd
Editor for Sexual Violence Advocacy, Prevention, and Coverage Alison Karki
Staff Contributors Meriam Ahmad, Carolina Bomeny, Mia Boykin, Elspeth Campbell, Apara Chandavarkar, Romita Chattaraj, Ryan Goodwin, Karina Han, Rina Khoury, Elle Marinello, Rory Myers, Christina Pan, Nicholas Romero, Katie Snyder, Isabella Stratta, Kami Steffenauer, Brendan Teehan, Madison Weis, Catalin Wong, Nadine Zakheim
contact us editor@georgetownvoice.com
The opinions expressed in The Georgetown Voice do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty, or students of Georgetown University, unless specifically stated. Columns, advertisements, cartoons, and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or the General Board of The Georgetown Voice. The university subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression of its student editors. All materials copyright The Georgetown Voice, unless otherwise indicated.
The D.C. (District Crossword)
Nick’s special D.C.-themed crossword for a special D.C.-themed issue!
ACROSS:
1. D.C.’s WNBA franchise
6. One part of a flight
10. Unique Identifier, in short
11. Talk show host
O’Brien’s namesake show
13. *Five sided shape
16. Provides an ending to 18. Villain’s home
19. Biblical letter
21. Alien film from 1982
22. Resident of Green Gables
24. Montreal’s airport code
25. *What all the other starred clues are
29. Form of animation of Pharrell Williams’s new movie
30. Chopped or cut with an ax
32. *North Carolina Spartans school
36. Steal
38. K-Pop boy band formed in 2015
39. Ancient Sumerian city-state
41. Tuscan capital city
44. Prefix of an upper
atmospheric layer
46. Water, to a Venezuelan
47. *Game company behind Fallout
49. Scientist Bohr’s given name
51. Iceland country code
52. “Hot” drink with whiskey, honey, and lemon
53. Crept (around)
DOWN:
1. Leaf on the Canadian flag
2. Olympic gymnast Lee, to friends
3. Tool to determine concentration of a substance
4. Writer Tarbell, casually
5. Trial about teaching evolution in U.S. schools
6. What the tin man is made of, scientifically
7. Sensitivity and understanding
8. One who examines data for patterns, to a Brit
9. Neighborhood across the Potomac from us
12. Demon in Japanese folklore 14. Alice in Wonderland dessert label
15. We sequenced the human one in 2003
17. Few, to a Parisian 20. ___-mo
23. My initials!
26. A hen that can’t lay eggs
27. A tisket, a ____
28. The most fake
29. French designer of Washington, D.C.
31. Open injury
33. Adam’s companion
34. Most kind
35. Comedian Burnham, familiarly
37. Math class abbr. with I or II
40. Author Dahl’s given name
42. Puzzle not sponsored by ___: Shadow Legends
43. Australia’s NBA
45. The Capital of Norway
48. Body part that used to mean “cool”
50. Diphthong that sounds like “A”
Dear Voice readers,
Welcome to the D.C. issue: a series of stories that explore the history, culture, injustices, and current events of the city we call home.
For many students at Georgetown, time on the Hilltop is a brilliant, yet fleeting, blip in the overarching stories of our lives. With this issue, we wanted to challenge that. As you flip through the collection of stories we’ve curated for you, I hope you take a moment to consider and appreciate the rich history of D.C. and the complex stories it has to tell—the District’s idiosyncrasies are woven into every aspect of our daily lives.
Our coverage in this issue is far from exhaustive, but we hope that through these stories, you’re able to take a moment to zoom out beyond the Georgetown bubble, and relish in D.C. <3
Editor-in-Chief, Fall 2024
D.C.’s DIVAS
Tune in to some tunes: here’s Ajani’s playlist of iconic D.C. artists!
• “At Last (I Found A Love)” by Marvin Gaye
• “Ms. Moon” by Wale
• “Whipped Cream” by Ari Lennox
• “Venus” by Born Jamericans
• “Ready or Not” by Bridgit Mendler
• “OHFR?” by Rico Nasty
• “Big Nick” by Duke Ellington
BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD
.C. has long been a home for mom and pop bookstores, often nestled in the nooks and crannies of the city. Sooner or later, every District bookworm becomes familiar friends with the likes of Capitol Hill Books, Busboys and Poets, and Second Story Books.
On Labor Day, one more store joined the city’s lineup of iconic bookshops: JF Books, D.C.’s first and only Chinese-language bookstore.
city’s academics.
Forced to leave Shanghai,a beloved bookstore is finding a new home in Dupont
By Eileen Chen
JF Books is located in the heart of Dupont Circle at 1509 Connecticut Ave., next to Kramers, another quintessentially-D.C. bookstore. Two signs, one in Chinese and one in English, emit a soft green glow in the storefront windows. Inside, postcards line the right wall, calligraphy scrolls hang by the doors, and soft piano notes accompany your browsing. At first impression, it is abundantly clear that the space radiates an air of history, care, and culture.
This curated atmosphere can be credited to the bookstore’s venerable history: formerly Jifeng Bookstore, the independent bookstore was founded in 1997 and opened multiple storefronts across Shanghai, China.
By 2017, however, only one remained, following an end to the Chinese government’s subsidies for brick and mortar shops in 2014. Nestled inside the famous Shanghai Library in the heart of the city, the remaining location became a hub for Shanghai’s thinkers and scholars to ruminate on their latest findings.
“In the last five years in the Shanghai Library, we have run more than 800 cultural events, including lectures, forums, documentary screenings, and a small concert, to give readers more excuses to step into a physical bookstore,” Miao Yu, who managed the Shanghai Library location from 2013 to 2018 and now owns JF Books, said.
Jifeng Bookstore was abruptly shut down in January of 2018, marking a sudden end to its 20-year residence after government regulations around the use of state-owned property prevented the Shanghai Library from offering Jifeng Bookstore a lease extension.
The store’s opening in D.C. represents rebirth for the owners and enthusiasts alike; the postcards that cover the right wall are written by patrons of the
“There was a whole crew of us China Studies faculty from Georgetown and other nearby universities […] and word got out that it was going to open,” Philip Kafalas, a professor in Georgetown’s Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, said. “We all went, because it was a big thing for us.”
Kafalas visited the Shanghai location numerous times during his travels, always returning with armloads of classical Chinese literature.
“You can’t just go into a bookstore anywhere in the United States and buy that sort of thing. To have that right where I go to get on the Metro on the way home from school every time I come in is a major miracle for me,” Kafalas said.
The excitement of unlocking access to new texts hasn’t just resonated with academics and teaching faculty—it’s also struck home with students.
“About 70% of the readers who step into my bookstore are young people,” Yu said. “There are students from nearby universities— your university [Georgetown University], GW [George Washington University], AU [American University]—and they said it has been a long time since they have stood in front of so many various Chinese language books. And many of them are not Chinese students—they’re nonChinese readers, young people, from Asian countries or just the local community.”
There’s something uniquely meaningful about being able to physically browse literature, whether as a native speaker or a language learner, Yu said.
“You may know some titles of books you are interested in. You can search for such titles online. But if you step into a physical bookstore, you may find some books you’ve never heard of,” he said. “If you read some pages, you will find that that’s the right book you are interested in.”
While embodying the warm, homey, and welcoming environment normally found in independent bookstores, JF Books is distinct from the likes of other District bookshops; it doubles as an intellectual oasis for an otherwise dispersed community to gather. By a second-story window overlooking the hustle and bustle of central D.C., there’s a table with chocolates, cookies, coffee, flowers, and a stack of empty postcards. Next to the stack is taped that same Sept. 1 letter, which ends: “Write a postcard and leave it here. Once again, let’s create the possibilities of another era, together with JF Books.” G
photos by izzy wagener; design by
By Sofia Kemeny and Hailey Wharram
D.C. theater shines satirical spotlight
Thirty feet below the streets, The Washington Ballet brings the affect of high society to Dupont
BY AIDAN MUNROE AND ZACHARY WARREN
E
very day, thousands of cars, buses, and bicycles make their way through the hectic roundabout known as Dupont Circle, slogging through ever-present construction projects and lackadaisical tourists alike. Yet, in the heart of the historic neighborhood lies a hidden gem and it sits just a few feet underneath the concrete of the famous traffic circle. Once abandoned by the city and left to collect dust, the old underground streetcar tunnels are now home to a one-of-a-kind performance venue known—quite appropriately—as Dupont Underground. And for the first weekend of October, The Washington Ballet brought its talents to the space with the latest show in its Dance for All series.
Seeking to address the lack of public spaces for creative expression in D.C., the Arts Coalition for the Dupont Underground was formed in 2016 as a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to expanding the city’s creative culture and making room for burgeoning D.C. artists. The organization leases part of the now-defunct underground streetcar tunnels, transforming them into a multipurpose venue that hosts everything from art exhibitions to group performances. Backdropped by the clashing urban aesthetics of industrial infrastructure and vibrant wall graffiti, artists of all kinds can dazzle audiences in an unorthodox environment, breaking the status quo of where art can take place.
The Dupont Underground’s background made the venue ideal for The Washington Ballet to host the most recent show in its Dance for All initiative—a collection of low-cost classes and performances designed to kickstart the public’s interest in dance and inspire new dancers to join the field. For these events, the company seeks out nontraditional yet accessible venues to reach the widest audience possible. At less than a fiveminute walk from the Dupont Circle Metro Station,
Washingtonians can easily make their way to Dupont Underground from anywhere across the city. And given the Underground’s unique history, the pairing between venue and company was a match made in paradise.
From dance to music to fashion, The Washington Ballet has wholly embraced the Dupont Underground’s multidisciplinary approach to art—as seen in the care given to all the creatives involved. This show marked Edwaard Liang’s debut as artistic director for The Washington Ballet, while Emmy award winning composer Blake Neely and his team provided the enchanting score for the performance. The dancers also performed in outfits specially designed for the show by the company’s fashion partner, Max Mara.
Unsurprisingly, every dancer displayed superb technique: each jump was accentuated with the characteristic pointed foot; each turn was clean, with no sign of wobble; and each lift looked effortless for both parties involved. Of course, a dancer is only as good as the choreography they receive. Thankfully, all were in safe hands with Liang, who managed to showcase each dancer’s skills while creating illustrative, impactful scenes and images for the audience. Synchronized sections, accompanied by partners breaking off to perform individualized segments, infused the show with each dancer’s distinct flavor. The opening number likewise reflected this individuality, with dancers splitting off into pairs across the stage in a ripple fashion, a vibrant and eclectic mix of skillfully executed choreography.
In addition to their excellent technique, the dancers’ expressions were equally impressive. Without spoken words, ballet is often at a disadvantage when attempting to communicate with the audience. Yet, at Dance for All, the dancers’ emotions were clear as day. Longing and tenderness painted their faces, a feeling which enraptured the audience.
Accompanying the dancers was a group of talented musicians and vocalists whose artistry amplified the already gripping performance. Blake Neely’s contemplative and dynamic score was performed so precisely, it almost sounded pre-recorded—a testament to how well-rehearsed the musicians were.
Syncing live music with live dance is no easy feat, yet it was done masterfully. The resonant notes from cellist Jacob Braun formed a hearty melodic basis while Sherri Chung’s evocative vocalization created a hauntingly beautiful effect. Violinists Camille Miller and Stephanie Yu expertly performed the melody, complementing the dramatic character of the dancing.
The musicians were also given an equal chance to shine, as no dancing occurred during the interludes interspersed throughout the show. Instead, they performed enchantingly alongside mesmerizing animations created by Tom Neely which were projected onto a screen onstage. Rather than merely setting the background for the dance performance, the score showcased the creative prowess of the musicians in full.
As an art form, ballet is often associated with wealth, societal elites, and Eurocentricity. And yet the production of Dance for All did well in challenging these very notions. The show was located in a historic location where public transportation options were readily available with the Underground itself. Accessibility for disabled attendees was made a priority in the historic Underground. Ticket prices ranged from $25 to $50 is certainly more affordable than most other performanes. Even for those wishing to break into the ballet scene as consumers, the one-hour runtime proved to be perfect for all involved.
There was, however, some room for improvement in terms of racial and ethnic diversity in both the cast and production team. In a region teeming with a rather diverse population, seeing a company that represented the Black, Hispanic, and South Asian populations in D.C. would have been appreciated, especially in a show that prided itself on giving everyone a chance to dance.
The Washington Ballet still has work to do to embrace the vibrant diversity of the city it represents. But considering the intent, accessibility, and deliberate choice in a venue that acknowledges the city's eclectic artistic history of their most recent performance, the company has taken an important step toward staying true to the title of “Dance for All.” G
The
Lworst time of the month:
While experiencing homelessness, D.C. residents also struggle with period poverty
ast year, Leslie Boyd lost her steady job of three years. When her company downsized, it eliminated her department, and soon after, she lost her housing.
By Sydney Carroll
center for women experiencing homelessness in northwest D.C.
“I never thought I’d be experiencing [homelessness],” she said.
Suddenly, Boyd had to learn how to sleep outside, where to find public restrooms, and ways to maintain her appearance. Something she didn’t anticipate? Not knowing what to do when her period came.
“I had to go into a public bathroom, take a whole bunch of tissue, and use those,” Boyd said. “I ended up having to double up on pants, just in case blood got on one of them.”
Boyd is not alone. For people experiencing homelessness across D.C., period products can be inaccessible and costly. The National Organization for Women found that the average woman spends around $20 on menstrual products per cycle, meaning these products can be cost-prohibitive for those experiencing homelessness.
Roughly one-third of people who experience homelessness in D.C. are women, meaning there are approximately 1,600 individuals who may be menstruating while homeless in D.C. However, not all women menstruate, and not all who menstruate are women—and given the higher rates at which transgender and gender nonconforming individuals experience homelessness, 1,600 is likely a low estimate.
Across the country, period poverty, or the lack of access to period products, affects 16.9 million individuals, and disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic people.
In 2022, the D.C. City Council unanimously passed a bill requiring period products to be available in all of D.C.’s public restrooms, including libraries, shelters, and recreation centers. However, Boyd said that it’s often difficult to find a public restroom, and they’re not always stocked. Turning to local shelters also proved difficult.
“I’ve been to two shelters,” Boyd said. “When you go down and ask for a pad they say, ‘We don’t carry those.’ And so I said, ‘What do you mean you don’t carry them? This is a women’s shelter—I’m confused.’”
Boyd was finally able to access pads and tampons at Bethany Women’s Center, a day
Lisa Cobb, the program associate at the center, explained that visitors are often desperate for period products because the little money they do have is spent on other necessities.
“When you’re unhoused, you’re just trying to meet your basic needs, which is food and shelter and washing your clothes,” Cobb said.
In her time at Bethany Women’s Center, Cobb has seen many ask for thick pads and diapers that would allow them to use fewer products.
“Sometimes the women tell me they want the diapers because they live in the shelter, and they don’t want to climb down off their bunk and go to the bathroom,” she said. “I just think that every woman needs to have access to things that will help them to feel safe and to feel cared for, and give them the ability to care for themselves.”
Beyond feelings of embarrassment or shame, there are also serious health risks associated with a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. The World Bank found that period poverty is tied to higher risk of urinary tract infections, Hepatitis B, and thrush. If a tampon is left in more than eight hours, there is a serious risk of toxic shock syndrome, which can be fatal.
Menstrual products also aren’t as easily accessible to people who menstruate but don’t identify as women. The Voice called three different men’s shelters in D.C. to inquire about access to period products, and was redirected by all three to seek help at a women’s shelter. This disparity can lead trans and gender nonconforming people into uncomfortable or even dangerous situations just to have their basic needs met.
Across D.C., community groups are rallying around menstrual access. Hurunnessa Fariad is the director of outreach at the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network (MFNN), which brings together coalitions of faith leaders for social justice work. Recently, MFNN partnered with the Washington Hebrew Congregation (WHC) to provide Bethany Women’s Center with 500 reusable menstrual cups—small, oval-shaped cups that are inserted into the vagina to collect period blood.
Menstrual cups, Fariad says, are much safer and more cost-effective for people experiencing homelessness.
“They’re reusable, they’re affordable, they’re non-toxic, they don’t impact the environment,” she explained. “If you give a woman a pad, you can use it for one day, that’s it. But a menstrual cup she can use for 10 years, and it’s only $10.”
Last month, MFNN and the WHC distributed the cups in person at Bethany Women’s Center.
“Thirty women got to pick up and listen and learn. I got the CEO of the organization that I work with who makes the cups, she got two of her nurses to come on Zoom and teach them how to use it,” she said. “They asked such great questions that we would never think of, because we’re not in that situation.”
For instance, Boyd shared that while she had looked into using menstrual cups, she didn’t know if she would have regular bathroom access to clean one—menstrual cups have to be cleaned every 4-8 hours depending on flow. The specific storage requirements for these cups can also be inaccessible to people experiencing homelessness. According to Fariad, others brought up concerns about accessing boiling water for sanitization, leading her and her partners to brainstorm solutions.
Fariad is implementing this program nationwide, with support from groups of women from religious institutions in 20 different cities. For her, the project is part of putting her faith into action.
“It’s putting yourself in the shoes of someone else that might not have access to the privilege that you have. So when you do have that privilege, we need to make sure that we’re giving back,” Fariad said.
With so many people experiencing homelessness currently dealing with period poverty, Boyd wants the D.C. community to make menstrual products more accessible. She also encouraged other women experiencing homelessness to make sure they prioritize their physical hygiene, practice self-care, and find places like Bethany Women’s Center, which can help support them.
“I’ve never experienced a place as dedicated to women as they are,” she said. “I know it’s difficult on the streets—it is—but there’s ways around it .” G
with the release of cancerous substances into the air.
Advocates say this is just one example of a broader issue of environmental injustice in D.C.
“Why are they here? Why are they in our backyards?” Sabrena Rhodes, a resident of Ivy City, asked. “I realized that this place is a danger to our community, to the residents here, to my neighbors, and to the District.”
Rhodes is a community organizer at Empower D.C., an organization dedicated to advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice in D.C. For the last four years, Rhodes has dealt with various environmental issues in her neighborhood, including the NEP plant.
She began researching the company and its facility after a fire linked to the plant erupted in 2018. What she learned shocked her.
A 2023 study, commissioned by the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment, concluded that community exposure levels to formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds caused by the NEP plant exceeded safe levels outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Formaldehyde can cause difficulty breathing, trigger allergic reactions, and has been linked to nasal cancer. Volatile organic compounds like benzene and acetonitrile can cause cancer, damage to the central nervous system, and irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat.
“We are fighting for our lives. We are fighting for clean air, clean water, and clean
“Fighting for our lives”: Environmental justice in the nation’s capital
BY ALEXANDRA RISI AND CHIH-RONG KUO
soil in the nation’s capital,” Rhodes said. What surprised Rhodes the most was that she, and many other residents in Ivy City, did not know about the chemical plant, as many community members saw the location
The NEP plant is attached to a residential home, much closer to residential areas than any modern zoning laws would allow. But because the plant has been in Ivy City since the 1930s, it hasn’t been subject to current zoning regulations. Rhodes and Empower D.C. are hoping to shut down the NEP plant or have it relocated to an area away from residential living.
To Rhodes, Ivy City is a key example of environmental racism. Environmental racism refers to situations where communities of color and low-income communities face disproportionately more environmental dangers than other communities. Ivy City is a historically Black neighborhood with households of mostly low and moderate incomes.
“Our community is a sacrifice zone,” Rhodes said. “We are the product of racist zoning practices.”
Addressing racial disparities, such as the inequitable policies and neglect in Ivy City, is an important aspect of environmental justice, according to Tim Bartley, professor of sociology and faculty member at the Earth Commons, a dedicated academic space for interdisciplinary solutions to environmental issues founded at Georgetown in 2022.
“Environmental justice is two things. Firstly, it’s the injustice of inequitable distribution of environmental hazards,” Bartley said. “Secondly, it’s the set of social movements and activist campaigns that have emerged to try to create a more equitable distribution of environmental hazards.”
Historic policy decisions have created lasting environmental impacts in cities across America, including D.C., that disproportionately affect Black and lower-
income households. Bartley pointed to redlining as one example. The redlining practice involved banks and insurers denying loans to areas that they deemed “risky,” which were often those with higher numbers of Black residents. It resulted in the displacement of established Black communities and race- and income-based segregation.
“Redlining was one of a number of practices that created lots of residential segregation and also lots of inequalities of wealth and homeownership that set the stage for environmental injustice and environmental justice activism,” Bartley said.
While the practice has been illegal since 1968, the impact of redlining remains obvious in cities, including D.C. According to the D.C. Office of Planning, as of 2017 racial segregation was at 67%—meaning 67% of the Black population in D.C. would need to relocate to live in fully integrated neighborhoods with white residents.
A D.C. Policy Center report found that northeast and southeast D.C. have the highest levels of environmental pollution in the District, in part due to the disproportionate presence of highly polluting businesses located near these neighborhoods. These quadrants also have higher proportions of Black and low-income residents, partially as a result of redlining and other housing practices.
Rhodes said that Ivy City exemplifies how D.C. lawmakers and organizations overlook communities of color when creating and enacting environmental policy.
“If everyone was doing their job, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Rhodes said.
Beyond Ivy City, environmental racism is clear across the DMV, Dean Naujoks, a longtime member of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, said. Naujoks is now a Potomac Riverkeeper, where he identifies and addresses sources of pollution along the Potomac and offers pro bono legal representation to sue polluters for violations of environmental regulations.
Naujoks said he has worked to develop an increased awareness of racial injustice in
environmental policy, starting early on in his career when he worked in North Carolina.
Naujoks saw how hog farm pollution in eastern North Carolina disproportionately affected communities of color. When he moved to the DMV and started working on other environmental issues, he noticed the same underlying racial disparities manifesting in different ways, from improper waste management to water pollution.
Seeing these disparities reminded him of a speaker who visited his college class and pointed out the unintended negative consequences of local environmental advocacy.
“He was basically calling out the group that I actually worked for. He was like, ‘This is an injustice,’” Naujoks said. “White environmental groups decided what to do to the environment without consideration to these Black communities who were suffering terribly.”
Rhodes emphasized the importance of centering the experiences of people directly affected by environmental injustice. She said that the best thing governments can do is listen to residents and be concerned about constituents.
“The only way you can address anything going on in your community or your city is by having a bond with your neighbors,” Rhodes said. “If you’re just outside looking in and you want to make change, that’s not going to work.”
The importance of centering the most impacted voices has been obvious in his legal advocacy for residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland, a predominantly Black community, Naujoks said. The county has sometimes been referred to as D.C.’s “Ward 9” because many of its residents moved there after experiencing displacement from gentrification in D.C.
Prince George’s County has experienced issues with coal ash contamination from a 140-acre pit in Brandywine, located in the southernmost part of the county. The coal ash has begun to seep into the community’s water, introducing pollutants like arsenic, selenium, boron, and cadmium. In Prince George’s County, this pollution has become so severe that the river has been subject to repeated fish consumption advisories, and several fisheries have been shut down.
Naujoks said that being in the country’s capital has not guaranteed effective local environmental policy.
“They [the EPA] keep denying giving us money to work on this,” Naujoks said, referring to the coal ash contamination. “Just because we’re right here near the nation’s capital, don’t pretend there aren’t environmental justice issues right here.”
Despite obstacles, Bartley said that grassroots activism and nonprofit organizations have been effective in prompting national conversations about environmental justice.
“We wouldn’t be talking about this topic were it not for decades and decades of activism
by people in communities that were facing serious environmental hazards,” Bartley said. “That’s just a testament to the ability of activist campaigns to put this issue on the agenda.”
To help create more equitable policy, Bartley said that activists have been working to force policymakers to address environmental injustice.
“Environmental justice activists, I think, have been pretty effective at interfacing with policymakers and trying to get policy change, not just at the national level, but at local and state levels too,” Bartley said.
Both Naujoks and Rhodes have worked in different ways to hold culpable organizations and the government accountable for actions that perpetuate environmental injustice and disproportionately affect people of color in and around D.C.
Naujoks focuses on legal advocacy, suing major corporations involved in inequitable policies to encourage change. Recently, his efforts have paid off, settling a case against MetCom to halt their illegal sewage dumping into the Potomac River, with half of their $250,000 settlement going to a restoration project to bring oysters back into the river.
Rhodes, on the other hand, has utilized the power of her community and grassroots organizing to advocate for change. In her work with Empower D.C., she runs community meetings and spends time discussing the
“We need everyone’s voices, especially when it comes to environmental justice,” Rhodes said. “We need everyone to be strong and stand in solidarity with our communities.”
Naujoks encouraged students to get involved, starting by raising awareness and learning about the intersectionality within environmental justice.
There are many opportunities for Georgetown students to get involved in environmental work, whether through academics or advocacy, according to Bartley. One such academic avenue is the Earth Commons Institute, which offers five majors, including the newly formed B.S. in Environment & Sustainability, and two minors, including the Environmental Studies minor. Georgetown is also home to numerous on-campus student groups with focus on environmental justice and sustainability.
“I would just encourage especially our students to utilize the opportunities at Georgetown, or any other institutions and programs where they can get engaged, to find out the scientific foundations, the scientific basis for these prominent environmental issues,” Song Gao, a Georgetown chemistry professor, said.
While she’s hopeful that advocacy efforts will bring change to D.C., Rhodes said it’s disappointing that the District has lagged behind on environmental reforms.
HARDCORE OR HARD TO FIND? WHAT HAPPENED TO ALTERNATIVE ROCK BANDS IN D.C.
BY ELAINE CLARKE
The D.C. hardcore scene kind of sucks. But it didn’t always.
Back in the late ’70s and throughout the ’80s, D.C. was the place to be if you were a hardcore punk band. Bands like Bad Brains and Minor Threat, known for their fast and aggressive music paired with politically charged lyricism, found fame in our nation’s capital. The booming music scene also birthed beloved venues like the Black Cat and the 9:30 Club to host the District’s increasingly popular punk bands. But today, it seems like D.C.-grown hardcore bands are harder to come by and, like most alternative bands, don’t even stop in the District. And for fans in D.C., shows an hour or more away in Maryland or Virginia are a trek.
Growing up conveniently close to New York City (NYC), I was spoiled by the plethora of small venues that allowed local and alternative artists to thrive. Since coming to D.C., however, I noticed many of the bands I love don’t play here.
Instead, they take pit stops in Baltimore on a weeknight before heading off to New York, where the “real” fans are. Or, even worse, they don’t drop by the DMV at all. One of my favorite emo/math rock bands, Macseal, is the opener on a tour that is completely ignoring D.C., traveling straight from Philadelphia to New York, much to my dismay.
So, what happened?
For starters, punk died.
Although many believe “punk’s not dead,” in some ways, it is—at least compared to what it used to be in the late ’80s. When the culture of hardcore is counterculture, it’s no wonder it struggles to thrive. The D.C. scene, where post-punk bands like Fugazi were able to find a welcoming community, doesn’t support alternative musicians like it used to. Instead, the increasingly gentrified and expensive city
has been a deterrent for hopeful alternative artists trying to make a living. It’s already hard enough for small hardcore bands to break into the mainstream—if ever—but now it just seems like an impossibility in D.C.
Another blow to the hardcore scene was COVID-19. Many smaller venues that were willing to support the punk scene can now barely support themselves. Music venues were one of the first businesses to close due to COVID-19 and the last to reopen. The Black Cat would have closed permanently if not for a patchwork of federal grants during the pandemic. Other music clubs like Twins Jazz, which was a haven for the District’s jazz community for over 30 years, or popular music halls like U Street, were not so lucky. They, along with other venues, closed.
The #SaveDCVenues movement, launched by local venue owners, employees, musicians, activists, and nonprofit leaders, campaigned to garner public support for emergency legislation to aid D.C.’s music venues. In a 2021 letter to Mayor Bowser and the D.C. Council signed by 600 local figures and organizations, the movement outlined the D.C. Music Venue Relief Act, which would give monthly monetary support to venues and other businesses that offer live music, starting from October 2020 through May 2021. If not for campaigns like theirs, much of the independent music scene would have been completely wiped out in the pandemic.
The D.C. hardcore community is now small, but it certainly still exists. Bands like Drivel and PsyOp are authentically D.C.-based punk artists. Small venues like the Pie Shop regularly host alternative groups. In many ways, punk in D.C. hasn’t been dying, but evolving.
Even the Georgetown bubble isn’t completely devoid of music. Many student
bands like Kicking Cans or The Ordeal have found their time to shine on campus in recent years, for either benefit concerts or the everpopular Battle of the Bands. But the student bands are isolated from the rest of the scene. Oftentimes the only venues student musicians play outside of Georgetown are events like Georgetown Cabaret, a concert put on by Georgetown undergraduate students.
Much like Georgetown bands, D.C. alternative artists are isolated from the national hardcore scene. Compared to its peak in the ’80s, D.C.’s community is now too small to attract artists from powerhouse cities.
When moving to a new city, I was hoping to find a lively scene like the one I loved back home. It was a significant reason why I applied to urban universities. The hardcore scene here, however, is not what I expected. Much like NYC, D.C. is expensive. But unlike NYC, D.C. boasts less of the underground culture.
So where is the culture these bands are looking for? Not here. Small, local artists in D.C. can barely afford to be small, local artists in D.C. Even larger bands are not willing to spend the high costs of making stops here—it’s not worth it. In comparison to cities like NYC, D.C. has limited options of alternative venues, most of which are too small, and a weaker community of hardcore fans.
So does the scene really suck, or am I just not looking hard enough? D.C. punk may be different, but hardcore bands are definitely still based here. Yet, since the original scene died, alternative artists now neglect D.C. from their tours. The alternative scene here is just not what it should be, especially for a metropolis like the District. What’s a big city without vibrant and diverse music? Personally, I think a new movement is needed: #DontIgnoreDCHardcore. G
Love is Blind Season 7 is a half-apt portrait of the District and its dating scene
BY AMINAH MALIK
“It is the type of town where you get asked out on LinkedIn.”
As 31-year-old Perry Slomnicki summed up in one simple sentence, dating in the District is nothing short of a mess.
For its seventh season, Netflix’s Blind is back for another round in the “pods,” this time in the nation’s capital. Designed to allow people to fall in love with each other without ever seeing what the other looks like, the show strives to create relationships rooted in emotional understanding rather than just physical attraction. D.C. has long been known as one of the worst dating scenes in the country, but the reality show is hoping to bring some happy endings to the city. On Oct. 2, Netflix released the first six episodes on streaming, introducing audiences to the 30 singles seeking love this season. The season sets itself up to somehow both encapsulate the District’s dating pitfalls yet be unrepresentative of real life in D.C.
While he recognizes his fortune, money remains an insecurity for Leo, fearing that women only want him for his wealth. Though he acknowledges his privilege, he also can’t stop reminding everyone about it. Leo represents the manufactured humility underscored by an ample amount of self-admiration that runs rampant among many D.C. singles.
culture and political power. And while the city’s demographics have changed and its former nickname’s accuracy is fading, D.C. continues to have one of the largest relative shares of Black residents, at 41%. Yet, like most things in media, the show remains predominantly white. The problem of representation is most acute among the male cast, and as a result, the show’s participants do not reflect the true heart of the District.
Intense professional culture makes itself a clear culprit of the city’s unsuccessful dating scene from the get-go. The cast comprises clearly hardworking, job-oriented, professionally successful individuals. Garrett Josemans, a quantum physicist, explains that he is so into his work that it has prevented him from looking for a life partner. Hannah Jiles, the youngest of this season’s women, is an even clearer example of D.C.’s workaholism: formerly in medical device sales, she quit her job to come on the show, signaling that leaving work is the only way she can envision finding her perfect match.
The show also captures many of the personalities commonly found in the local dating scene. Nick Dorka, a 29-year-old real estate agent, comes off as the typical D.C. single man: a sarcastic flirt. A former all-American college football player, he is quick to talk about his previous successes and accomplishments while layering on the charm. Early on, the women describe him as a smooth talker, nicknaming him “Mr. Suave.”
Hannah jokingly says that while he is sultry, he will probably ruin her life. She thinks Nick D. objectifies her, is wary of his numerous experiences with women, suspects his smooth talk could be manipulating her, and worries she will always feel the need to be perfect around him. Despite the other women calling him a
In a respite from the traditional dating pitfalls, two cast members tease a potential dating success. Garrett and 30-year-old Taylor Krause quickly become a promising couple. Escaping the obligatory D.C. career small talk, they connect intellectually, bonding over nerdy tattoos and shared experiences in the sciences. They discuss how their intense professional ambitions have inhibited their ability to focus on dating and agree that a successful love story requires constant and mutual effort. The pair demonstrates a rare synthesis of the insatiable ambition and refined intelligence many D.C. professionals embody in their hopeful dating prospects.
While the show captures some of the key components of the District’s dating scene, it falls short in accurately representing its residents.
Notably, the cast’s experiences do not properly embody the core of D.C.’s professional world. Many of the singles work in business, marketing, or sales. There are a surprising number of real estate agents and estheticians, yet shockingly, only two
The cast’s experiences and demographic makeup highlight another problem often omitted from the District’s media representation. Although a sizable portion of the city is Black, D.C. remains highly segregated. Black residents are concentrated east of the Anacostia River in Wards 7 and 8 and the city’s geographic division of races has barely changed since 1970. The show’s choice of participants, from their limited ethnic composition to professional experiences, portrays a certain image of the District—one sanitized of its racial history and only indicative of the highest socioeconomic classes. Rather than coming across as “Love is Blind: DC,” the season feels more as if it was meant to be “Love is Blind: Georgetown” or “Love is Blind: Northern Virginia.”
The first 72 minutes of the season showcased the factors making D.C.’s dating scene notoriously terrible, while at the same time overlooking the culture and people that give the city its unique charm. Nine more episodes remain, and the love stories are just beginning to take shape. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether the city will redeem its dating
Is Jayden Daniels the answer for the Commanders?
By Bradshaw Cate
There’s an electric energy to this year’s Washington Commanders team. The organization has new team owners and new head coach Dan Quinn, who has Super Bowl experience. With the Commanders now sitting at 4-1, there is finally real hope for this team after decades of mediocrity. And that spark starts with the fiery play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Daniels had large cleats to fill after transferring from Arizona State to LSU, three years after playing for the Sun Devils. He replaced Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow after he was drafted first overall in the NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. While Daniels’s first year in Louisiana did not wow fans in the same way Burrow’s did, Daniels came into his own in 2023. Daniels led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in passing touchdowns and yards per game and, more impressively, he led the entire NCAA in yards per passing attempt and per rushing attempt. In addition, Daniels capped off his collegiate career by winning a Heisman Trophy of his own. SEC fans like myself dreaded LSU match-ups, such as their triumph over Florida when Daniels ripped an 85-yard rushing touchdown.
The Commanders drafted Daniels with the second overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, behind fellow Heisman winner Caleb Williams, who was selected by the Chicago Bears.
When the Commanders announced they would be starting Daniels for the first game of the season, I was nervous. Often, rookies support experienced quarterbacks to learn how to play at a professional level—where the competition is bigger, stronger, and faster than in college football.
Empirically, this strategy works. Patrick Mahomes sat behind Alex Smith for a season before he lit up the NFL as a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl Champion. Aaron Rodgers watched Brett Farve’s Packers up close. Tom Brady developed by backing up Drew Bledsoe.
Moreover, first-time rookies tend to not fare too well, either. Last year’s first overall pick, Bryce Young, was benched in just Week 3 by the Carolina
Panthers for poor play after he started immediately during his rookie season. Since 2000, rookie quarterbacks are 1-10-1 in Week 1 prior to Daniels’s first game. Not great, but even worse when those rookies threw for a combined 19 interceptions, and only 14 touchdowns. While some of those rookies went on to have stellar careers like Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, that list also includes a lot of career mediocrity, like David Carr, Sam Bradford, and Jameis Winston.
Following the rookie curse, the Daniels-led Commanders could not overcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 but after being thrown to the wolves, Jayden Daniels appeared to hold his own. Although Daniels did not pass for a touchdown, he showed off his athleticism with two scrabbles that ended in the end zone. He also accounted for 272 yards on the ground and in the air.
These numbers gave some hope to Commanders fans, who have not had consistent quarterback play for over a decade. However, no one expected Daniels to go on to make history in the third game of his career.
Daniels played like a veteran as the Commanders beat the Bengals 38-33. He did not turn the ball over all game, a difficult task for most rookies, and gave his team every opportunity to score, resulting in the first NFL game with no punts or turnovers since 1940. He was also extremely accurate with his passes, completing 21 of 23 for an impressive 254 yards. His NFL opponents might be bigger, stronger, and faster than their college-level counterparts, but Daniels more than makes up the difference with his playmaking ability.
Washington’s new quarterback has an on-field confidence that other rookies largely lack. During high-pressure fourth downs, Daniels can be seen on the broadcast begging Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury
to keep him on the field. The rookie looked unfazed on the road in Cincinnati, throwing his longest career pass of 55 yards and scoring a tight touchdown to Terry McLaurin in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
It takes years for players to develop into allstars. A rookie should not be able to play like this.
At the time of writing, Daniels has the highest completion percentage in the NFL this year. What’s more, that completion percentage is the highest in a rookie season of all time.
On its own, Daniels’s performance this season is impressive. However, Jayden Daniels looks like the valedictorian compared to how other quarterbacks in his rookie class have fared. For example, the aforementioned Caleb Williams’s Bears are 3-2 and he has a touchdown to interception ratio of 5:4 (compared to Daniels’s 2:1). Their two careers will forever be linked, given their draft order, and through the first month of the season, the Commanders seem to have made the better choice.
Some rookie quarterbacks are sitting behind experienced veterans to give them more time to develop—mainly the Patriots Drake Maye (the third overall pick) and the Falcons Michael Penix Jr. Over time, these players could come to rival Daniels. However, that’s hard to imagine when Daniels is lighting up the Cardinals for 42 points in just his
I still think Commanders fans must temper their expectations, despite how great Daniels has been. The NFL season is a marathon, and as teams get more tape on this Commanders offense, defensive coordinators will do their best to stop Daniels’s magic. Plus, the Commanders must continue to build the team, especially on defense and the offensive line, before the team can make any deep playoff runs.
That said, Daniels has rekindled the passionate Commanders fanbase, and that is
for building connections and fostering a sense of community. For many adults in D.C., finding genuine connection and community can be a challenge, as the city’s professional culture often prioritizes career advancement over social engagement. In the city’s fast-paced environment, sports leagues offer a unique space where people can connect beyond their professional identities. According to a study by NextDoor, 68% of adults report meeting new people through sports and 66% feel more connected to their communities. Youth sports play an equally significant role, with about 60 million young athletes registered nationwide, according to the National Council of Youth Sports. In the District, organizations leading the charge include District of Play, DC Fray, Volo Sports, and Stonewall Kickball, each aiming to transform the local sports scene by offering dynamic and inclusive resources, leagues, and events that connect the broader D.C. community.
District of Play is a youth sports initiative that aims to provide children the chance to participate in sports and develop healthy lifestyle habits. Launched in September through a multimillion dollar investment by Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE)—which also owns the Capitals, the Wizards, and the Mystics—the program focuses on sustained participation, improved physical health outcomes, and ongoing access to athletic resources. With the average cost of a single child’s primary sport per season reaching $833 as of the fall of 2022, many children are priced out of athletic opportunities.
To address these financial gaps, District of Play will refurbish public courts, update local athletic venues, and build new playgrounds, providing children with secure and engaging environments to play and grow. Lack of essential sports equipment is another
opportunities, such as workshops in effective coaching methods through the Positive Coaching Alliance.
“Sports have the power to inspire, build resilience, and foster a sense of community, and District of Play is our effort to ensure that every child in Washington, D.C. has access to these opportunities and to contribute to a legacy of long-term health for our city,” Ted Leonsis, founder and CEO of MSE, wrote in a press release.
According to a survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, adult sports leagues are gaining popularity nationwide as a vital way for adults to stay active and connected, with over 20% of people participating in sports, exercise, and recreational activities on any given day. People use these opportunities not only for fitness but also as a means of social interaction and community building.
Starting as a minor local skeeball league, DC Fray has grown to host recreational sports leagues, tournaments, and pick-up games in the Washington metropolitan area. “We pride ourselves on being 50% sport, 50% social,” William Dennis, senior operations manager at DC Fray, said in an interview with WTOP News. To support this mission, the platform offers leagues across various activities, including axe-throwing, basketball, pickleball, and its highly competitive soccer league.
to launch Club Volo at National Landing. This temporary recreational space features four illuminated beach volleyball courts and will host organized leagues and open community play.
Within the expansive network of adult rec leagues, organizations such as Stonewall Kickball Washington D.C. have cultivated tight-knit communities, emphasizing inclusivity and charitable efforts. Stonewall Kickball is an LGBTQ+, community-based, non-profit sports chapter dedicated to raising funds for local organizations. Founded in 2010, it has grown into the largest chapter under the Stonewall Sports umbrella, boasting over 1,500 members in the metropolitan D.C. area. The organization offers kickball in the fall, spring, and summer, with Sunday games at locations like Shaw Recreation Center and the National Mall. Stonewall Kickball has supported causes like Rainbow Families, D.C. Black Pride, and Friends of Francis Park. In 2022, it backed over 50 local groups by donating nearly $192,000 and contributing over 1,300 volunteer hours.
“If you're curious and think, ‘Hmm, I’m interested in that,’ go for it. Don't shy away,” Dennis said.
Although not local to D.C., Volo Sports is the largest adult sports organization in the United States and plays a big role in the rec league scene in the DMV. Founded in Baltimore in 2010 as a small, 16-person bocce league, Volo quickly
Organizations like District of Play, DC Fray, Volo Sports, and Stonewall Kickball facilitate active lifestyles while fostering relationships among participants. With more people turning to sports for physical and social wellness, these leagues continue to play an important role in connecting the D.C. community beyond the pros. G
Up in Smoke: D.C. offi C ial S
C ra C k D own on U nli C en S e D marij U ana “gift S hop S ”
BY KATHERINE WILKISON
Like many SFS graduates, Caroline Crandall (SFS ’15) worked in consulting—until last year, when she moved into a new market: medical marijuana.
Crandall co-owns Green Theory, a newly licensed medical marijuana retailer in the Palisades neighborhood of D.C., with her husband, who initially operated two unlicensed cannabis businesses, including a delivery service.
“It’s more expensive to run a medical cannabis dispensary, there’s more regulations and rules you have to follow, which, ultimately, is good, and we believe in that,” Crandall said. “That’s why we wanted to do it.”
Recreational marijuana isn’t legal in D.C. because Congress oversees the city budget and weed remains illegal at the federal level. However, for the past decade, cannabis sales in D.C. have operated under a quasi-legal “gray market” created by the passage of Initiative 71 (I-71) in 2014.
The Medical Cannabis Conditional License and Unlicensed Establishment Closure Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 took effect on July 15. The bill gives ABCA the authority to close and padlock unlicensed operators that “pose an imminent danger to public health and safety,” including businesses that do not comply with cease and desist orders.
Since early July, ABCA has issued 26 cease and desist orders to I-71 shops, demanding they immediately stop selling, exchanging, or delivering cannabis. ABCA has also sent 84 warning letters to similar businesses, informing them they must stop gifting or selling cannabis products. Of the 24 stores identified by the Voice as recipients of cease and desist orders, five have been shut down by ABCA, five are at least temporarily closed, and 14 are still operating, according to their websites and social media pages.
Joe Massaua (SFS ’25), a commissioner in Georgetown’s Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), has heard these fears from community members. He worries about the potential impact of unregulated products being sold to students.
I-71 legalized the possession and consumption of up to two ounces of cannabis, as well as the “transfer” of up to one ounce as long as the recipient is 21 years or older and no money is exchanged for the cannabis. Its passage led to the opening of dozens of “gift shops” that “gift” customers weed in exchange for the purchase of items like stickers, postcards, and t-shirts.
D.C. government cracks down
Now, the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are cracking down on I-71 shops. This comes as residents, government officials, and even legal medical dispensary owners have grown fed up with the unlicensed stores, which are untaxed and not subject to safety regulations.
Right now, adults looking to buy cannabis legally can self-register as card-carrying patients and shop at one of the ten legal medical dispensaries currently in operation around D.C. However, has identified at least 195 additional currently-operating I-71 cannabis stores, 20 of which are located within one mile of Georgetown University.
Since July, five of these unlicensed shops have been padlocked, with the promise of more
After years of complaints from medical dispensaries and D.C. residents, the D.C. Council passed emergency legislation to give ABCA more power to close the unlicensed shops.
“I would be worried if a Georgetown student was ingesting an unlicensed product and got sick and died. What are the testing standards for this? And this THC is not like your parents’ THC— it’s like, 70% to 90% [concentration], it’s so potent and so strong,” Massaua said.
The first store to be padlocked, U Street’s Supreme Terpene, was shut down after failing to comply with a cease and desist order by continuing to sell THC and psilocybin products. After its closure, MPD seized 39 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, 22 pounds of marijuana flower, and 33 pounds of products containing THC.
ABCA alleges that cannabis products purchased from Supreme Terpene tested positive for amphetamines.
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, the average THC content of cannabis seized in 1995 was 4%. In 2017 it was 17%, although products with concentrations up to 90% are available.
Amphetamines—stimulants included in ADHD medications like Adderall, as well as Schedule I drugs like meth and MDMA—can be dangerous because contaminated products may elicit a reaction that users do not expect.
The agency also stated in a September press release that “investigators recovered 1,458 grams of marijuana laced with suspected Amphetamines” from The Green Room, another I-71 shop on U Street.
Owners of The Green Room vehemently denied these claims on their website and Instagram.
“NO, there are NO truths to the statements,” they wrote. “We have never had any customers falling ill or complaints about our product. After being in compliance for over 5 years. We’ve taken great measurements in providing a safe experience for nonmedical card holders.”
Growing community concerns
Yet there is real concern among community members about the unregulated supply of cannabis being sold at unlicensed stores.
The Voice found no evidence of such cases at Georgetown, but tainted synthetic marijuana has been tied to illnesses and deaths in other places across the country. While that is extremely rare, one investigation found that more than half of marijuana in some states is contaminated with pesticides or heavy metals.
Shutting down I-71 stores would expand regulation and prevent toxic products from entering the market, according to proponents like Crandall. Many medical dispensary owners have complained that unlicensed stores are endangering their businesses, too.
Since I-71 shops are not legally permitted to sell marijuana, they are not taxed the same as medical dispensaries, where residents pay an additional 6% cannabis tax. As Crandall noted, medical dispensaries have higher operating costs and have to pay taxes.
Because of this discrepancy, the medical marijuana industry in D.C. has claimed that it is being hurt by I-71 shops.
“If [enforcement] doesn’t continue to happen in a methodical way, where they continue to shut down stores regularly, then yes, you will see stores and cultivators close and leave the market,” Crandall said.
Crandall’s husband, who started their business as an unlicensed I-71 operator, applied for a medical retail license in November 2023. After months of back-and-forth with ABCA and the ANC, they have officially transitioned into the medical market.
residents supporting legalization, many are left to wonder why D.C. still does not have a legal recreational market. Like many issues, the answer lies in the District’s lack of statehood.
Because D.C. is not a state, Congress authorizes its spending. The “Harris Rider,” named after its leading proponent, Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), restricts the city from using any funds to set up a legal recreational cannabis market because the drug is still illegal at the federal level.
He first blocked D.C.’s attempts in 2014. At the time, he issued a press release explaining his decision.
“Congress has the authority to stop irresponsible actions by local officials,” Rep. Harris wrote. “When I became a physician, I took an oath to do no harm, and decriminalizing marijuana will harm D.C. residents, especially youth.”
Many in the District disagree.
“I know that the shift from I-71 to medical will be a bit of a rude awakening for a lot of people, because now that you have to be 100%, fully compliant, you are reporting all of your income to the government,” Crandall said.
Cannabis businesses seek medical licenses
More businesses may soon be following in Green Theory’s footsteps. ABCA and the D.C. Council have created an on-ramp for unlicensed businesses to become licensed medical retailers.
Even those who did not previously run unlicensed shops are joining the business, now that there are more regulations in place. The owner of Herbal Harvest, a cannabis delivery service operating out of Georgetown, spoke to the Voice on the condition that he be referred to by his nickname, Zaad.
“We were interested in opening our doors when the industry was regulated in D.C. and D.C. was ready to issue licenses. We wanted to have a business that is licensed by the government, and we didn’t want to operate in the gray zone because of the uncertainties and all other issues that come with it,” Zaad said.
Cannabis is a booming industry—after being legalized by Maryland last year, the state reported more than $1.1 billion in sales. With 72% of D.C.
prove the efficacy of D.C.’s regulatory system,
But according to Massaua, a lack of funding and resources has frustrated progress.
“Frankly, I am disappointed by the way that ABCA has been funded,” Massaua said. “We’re a year in, we’re still seeing kinks and gray zones and loopholes, and we should have worked out the kinks by now, or the Bowser administration should have provided the funding.”
Jackie Puente is a board member of 1000 Feet, an advocacy group originally formed by parents concerned about the addition of Green Theory to their neighborhood. ABCA’s current regulations state that dispensaries and cultivation centers must be at least 300 feet from a school, day care, or recreation center; Puente’s group wants to extend that to 1,000 feet. She, like Massaua, finds ABCA’s enforcement lacking.
“I absolutely think that we should go the way of Maryland and legalize it recreationally 100%,” Crandall said. “The issue, obviously, is the Harris Rider that’s preventing us as a non-state from having those same rights to make that decision for ourselves.”
Despite the lack of a legal recreational market, patients in D.C. have been able to “self-certify” for medical cannabis cards since 2022. Anyone who is 21 years or older, has a valid government ID, and has $10 can apply and receive a medical card in less than 10 minutes. This process can be done the same day from anywhere, including inside a medical cannabis shop.
This process, Crandall said, has been a helpful way for D.C.’s legal market to operate as nearly recreational.
“ABCA has done a phenomenal job of getting the medical market as close to recreational as humanly possible, with things like self-attestation and not needing a doctor’s note to sign people up,” Crandall said. “We sign people up in our store every single day for med cards. It takes five minutes.”
She sees the success of the medical cannabis industry as a launching pad for a future recreational market.
“I think the ABCA needs to evaluate this much more seriously,” Puente said. “In many cases, cracking down on illegal stores and expecting to get kudos from the community is ridiculous. They should have been cracking down on illegal, not-taxpaying, not-regulated stores from the beginning.”
“I think it’s just pathetic,” she added.
Axios D.C. recently found that ABCA only has one cannabis inspector for the entire District. Each medical dispensary must be inspected at least monthly, and additional inspections are required for unlicensed stores and stores in the process of obtaining licenses. With over 200 stores in the District, that’s a hefty task for just one person.
In a statement, ABCA claimed that its efforts are not impeded by having one inspector, and they are in the process of hiring additional staff.
“I think the way to get there is to show ABCA, the government, the D.C. Council, Congress, that the medical market is flourishing, and we can do this legally, and we won’t skirt the rules, and we will respect paying taxes,” Crandall said. “The success of the medical market will be directly correlated with the likelihood of us moving to recreational.”
An underfunded, understaffed ABCA
“We are utilizing all available resources to conduct compliance efforts, including expanding ABCA’s cannabis enforcement team and investing in new tools that will aid its investigations,” the agency wrote to the Voice. Stakeholders, like Crandall and Zaad, hope this increased enforcement is just the beginning of efforts to bring unlicensed cannabis retailers into the legal, regulated market for the sake of business and health.
“If consumers are going to get their medical cannabis, it’s better to get it from sources that are trusted and licensed and controlled by the government, than to have it go like the model we had before decriminalization or legalization,” Zaad said. “That certainly didn’t work.” G
Scan this QR code to view the location of cannabis retail locations in the District and their respective legal statuses.
