APCA presents FY26 budget, details cannabis enforcement and explains a contested placard rescission

Fred Mesali, Director of the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (APCA), testified to the Committee on Business and Economic Development on June 11 about APCA’s FY26 budget, enforcement priorities for illegal cannabis retailers, and proposed Budget Support Act subtitles affecting alcohol and cannabis regulation.

Why it matters: APCA regulates alcohol and medical cannabis retail activity in the District, enforces against unlicensed cannabis operations and administers programs that affect late‑night public safety and neighborhood impacts. Budget and staffing choices shape the agency’s ability to inspect, investigate and enforce licensing requirements.

Budget and staffing: Mesali told the committee APCA’s proposed FY26 operating budget is $11,654,064 with 77 FTEs (a net decrease of 3 FTEs from FY25). APCA’s budget relies largely on special‑purpose revenue funds and includes $999,875 in capital funding (IT modernization), and the agency plans to keep a $500,000 reimbursable subsidy for off‑duty MPD details that support late‑night on‑premise establishments. APCA said the proposed FY25 supplemental reduces about $350,000 in SPRs by delaying or cancelling purchases (vehicles, laptops and shredding) under the mayoral spending freeze.

Cannabis enforcement and…