WASHINGTON – On Monday, the District sold its first medical marijuana under a program nearly 15 years in the making.

The Washington Post reports the first patient made a purchase at the Capital City Care dispensary on North Capitol Street on July 29.

Only nine patients have received medical marijuana cards. The Post reports about 20 doctors have requested forms that would let them recommend marijuana to patients.

Medical marijuana was approved in the D.C. in 1998. But Congress held up the program for years, the Post says, and the District’s process also took several years to set up.

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This story has been modified to say about 20 doctors have sought forms that would let them “recommend” marijuana to patients.

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