19th Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens In Montgomery County

CHEVY CHASE, MD — Montgomery County's 19th medical marijuana dispensary is now open in Chevy Chase.

Columbia Care celebrated its grand opening on Monday, Dec. 9. Located at 4609 Willow Lane, the dispensary offers more than 100 high-quality medical cannabis and full spectrum CBD health and wellness products. Prices range from $5 to $100.

The Chevy Chase location expands the company's footprint to 74 dispensaries either open or under development in 13 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Columbia Care CEO and co-founder Nicholas Vita, who grew up in Montgomery County, "has pledged to take 100 million doses of opioids off the market by leading a nationwide effort to gather the largest data set on how precisely-formulated medical cannabis can be a safe and effective alternative to reduce opioid use for pain," according to a press release.

In an interview with WTOP, Vita rejected the notion that dispensaries could pose a risk to children and other at-risk groups. In the eyes of the federal government, marijuana is a Schedule I drug — as is heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.

"You go on to Craigslist right now, you can order a 'hamburger' for $400, and they'll show up with an ounce of marijuana. The black market is so prolific, so out of control," Vita told the news outlet.

Columbia Care bills itself as a company that offers patients a safe and convenient way to get quality products. Patients can purchase Columbia Care's products if they have a qualifying medical condition, receive treatment from a licensed physician, and own a valid medical cannabis card.