Nestled in a vibrant H Street building in Washington D.C., above a bustling cannabis gift shop, lies the unconventional world of Street Lawyer Services. This isn’t your typical law firm or dispensary; it’s a unique intersection of legal marketing and cannabis culture, spearheaded by the charismatic Lonny Bramzon.
“Here’s how you take a f–king photo,” Lonny Bramzon, the owner of Street Lawyer Services, declared with theatrical emphasis during a photoshoot in the building’s converted studio space. His lesson in photography, boiling down to “kill face and a f–k face” poses, perfectly encapsulates Bramzon’s larger-than-life personality and unconventional approach to both law and business. The backdrop of rap and R&B music videos playing on a nearby screen further underscores the unique vibe of Street Lawyer Services, a place where legal consultations meet cannabis culture. Moments later, Bramzon, adorned with a marijuana leaf gold chain, posed a philosophical question: “Bro, do you know the meaning of life?” This blend of street smarts, legal acumen, and cannabis advocacy is the essence of Street Lawyer Services.
From Miami to H Street: The Genesis of a Brand
Lonny Bramzon isn’t just a cannabis entrepreneur; he’s a Columbia Law School graduate (2003) and owner of the Law Office of Lonny Bramzon in Silver Spring, Maryland, specializing in criminal defense. Street Lawyer Services operates as the marketing arm for his legal practice. Their website clarifies their business model: selling “discounted coupons redeemable for legal services,” each accompanied by “an optional free cannabis gift of your choice.” This innovative approach leverages D.C.’s unique legal landscape surrounding cannabis.
To understand Bramzon’s unconventional path, one must look to his Miami roots. As his brother Daniel Bramzon noted, “Lonny has to come out of Miami. He epitomizes some degree of Miami.” Raised in a strict household of Mexican and Jewish descent, both brothers attended Stanford University, though Daniel clarifies with a laugh, “I think Lonny went to Stanford because our dad told us to.” Despite their prestigious college educations, their Miami high school was far from elite. Lonny described it as “pretty rough,” while Daniel likened it to “a prison.”
This exposure to a challenging environment proved surprisingly beneficial during Lonny’s time as a public defender in Baltimore. He learned to navigate complex situations and prioritize practical strategies. Reflecting on law school, Bramzon admits, “I did what I had to do to figure it out… That’s what I was more f–king worried about and concerned with and strategized for than f–king learning the shit. That’s just how I did things.” Despite graduating from Columbia Law, he found himself outside the traditional big law firm path.
Seeking direction, Bramzon turned to his father, who suggested public defense. This led him to an internship with Rockville, Maryland criminal defense attorney Samuel Delgado, a pivotal figure Bramzon describes as his “mentor,” comparing the experience to “f–king training with Mike Tyson for six months.” Delgado, a seasoned attorney with 40 years of experience and hundreds of homicide cases under his belt, was then deeply involved in MS-13 cases. Bramzon’s Spanish fluency proved invaluable, and he quickly became Delgado’s right-hand man, assisting with everything from crime scene investigations to legal research.
This intense experience in criminal defense, particularly cases often fueled by alcohol, led Bramzon to a significant realization. “It wasn’t even crack,” he observed about the root causes of many violent crimes, “It was alcohol.” This insight, combined with a desire for a new direction, sparked the idea for Street Lawyer Services. Leveraging his existing “Lonny the Street Lawyer” brand, a name already familiar from his past radio show on WLVS Radio and current segment on DC101’s Klinger Show, Bramzon transitioned into the cannabis space, establishing a marketing office that uniquely blends legal services with cannabis gifting.
Decoding the Business Model: Gifting in the Capital
Stepping into Street Lawyer Services is akin to entering any regulated retail establishment, albeit with a distinct D.C. twist. Upon entry, ID checks and hand sanitizer stations are standard. Customers are then guided to socially distanced markers to queue, much like any popular store. Behind the counter, a variety of cannabis products are displayed: flower, edibles (resembling popular candies), and even cannabis-infused lemonades. The constant stream of customers highlights the business’s booming success.
The “brand ambassadors” behind the counter, known as the SLS Women, are local creatives who have cultivated their own followings. Ariana Fleishman of The YANA Cast, a creative studio partnering with Street Lawyer Services, explains, “Street Lawyer Services is a brand that’s very much trying to bring to light the culture of cannabis, media and news… working with people in the cannabis culture to talk more about and proliferate cannabis.”
Bramzon emphasizes the unique atmosphere: “When you go to Street Lawyer Services, it’s a vibe. It ain’t like the assembly line shit. We know the people, and the people come from every walk of life. People from North Carolina and deep in Virginia come here. Republican, Democrat, old, young – nobody gives a shit when you come in here. There’s music playing and the girls are so cool. It’s a family.”
The legality of this “gifting” model is a frequent question. The foundation lies in Initiative 71, a voter-approved ballot initiative passed in D.C. in 2014 and implemented in 2015. This initiative legalized recreational cannabis use within specific parameters:
- Adults 21 and over can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
- Individuals can grow up to six marijuana plants at their residence (max three mature).
- Transferring up to 1 ounce of marijuana is legal if no exchange of money, goods, or services occurs and the recipient is 21+.
- Cannabis consumption is legal on private property.
However, a crucial detail shapes D.C.’s cannabis landscape. Since 2015, a congressional rider attached to the budget prohibits D.C. from regulating marijuana sales. This federal restriction has inadvertently fostered a thriving “gifting economy.” While authorities have occasionally shut down businesses for improper gifting practices (selling over 1 ounce, suspicious activities), new shops continually emerge. This legal gray area has innovatively redefined cannabis acquisition in D.C., bypassing the need for a medical card. Currently, no specific law explicitly prohibits gifting, reflecting the evolving politics of marijuana.
Navigating the Shifting Sands of Marijuana Politics
D.C.’s approach to cannabis is in constant flux. Outgoing At-Large Councilmember David Grosso authored the Marijuana Legalization Act, Bill B-23 -0072 in 2019, a comprehensive document outlining recreational cannabis legalization in D.C., pending congressional approval. This act addresses various aspects, including restorative justice for those previously convicted of marijuana-related offenses.
Nationally, the House of Representatives passed the MORE Act (Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019), removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and eliminating federal criminal penalties for cannabis-related activities. While Senate passage remains pending, it signifies a significant shift in federal cannabis policy.
These evolving political currents raise questions about the future of businesses like Street Lawyer Services. Bramzon believes established and compliant “gift shop owners” deserve a place in a future regulated recreational market. “They say when the recreational market opens up, I should have a seat at the table,” he notes. His argument is compelling; businesses like his have operated within the existing legal framework, contributing to a unique and thriving cannabis culture in D.C.
Lonny Bramzon’s journey and Street Lawyer Services challenge conventional perceptions. As a Columbia Law School friend observed, “Lonny is larger than life… He’s so many unusual things in one package. If Lonny were a character in a book, you wouldn’t believe it… He is a real person who exists despite the reality around him.” Whether intentional or not, Bramzon’s persona and business are undeniably captivating and impactful. His brother Daniel concludes, “I think he’s his real self. He’s not doing it with an intended goal in mind. This is Lonny.”
Learn more about Street Lawyer Services here and the Law Office of Lonny Bramzon here.
Street Lawyer Services: 409 H St. NE, DC; (202) 292-2755; streetlawyerservicesdc.com | @streetlawyerservices.DC.
