February 16, 2015

Washington DC Marijuana Legalization Law Goes Into Effect Next Week

February 16, 2015
washington dc marijuana decriminalization

washington dc marijuanaDuring the 2014 Election, an overwhelming majority of Washington D.C. voters approved marijuana legalization. It was the most resounding marijuana legalization victory on an Election Day to date. The final tally was 70.1% ‘yes’ votes to 29.9% ‘no’ votes. The initiative provides for (21 years or older) the legal possession of up to two ounces, the cultivation of up to six plants within a person’s principal residence, transfer for no consideration of up to one ounce of marijuana, and the use of paraphernalia for the use, cultivation, or processing of marijuana.

An instance showdown occurred once the marijuana legalization initiative was approved by voters. Members of the United States Congress that opposed marijuana legalization were scrambling to try to figure out a way to block the initiative from becoming law. A provision in the most recent federal spending bill sought to block the initiative, but poor wording led to that attempt being thwarted. The DC Council then put the ball in Congress’ court by sending to Congress the Initiative for a congressional review period, which has a deadline. If Congress fails to act, which it appears that they won’t, marijuana legalization will take effect in Washington D.C. after February 26th.

If that proves to be the case, we will see legal marijuana being grown, consumed, and transferred for no consideration in our nation’s capital. That is still hard for me to fit my head around, but it’s a fact that I happily look forward to. I have never been to Washington D.C. before, but if I know I can get my hands on some marijuana there (for no consideration of course!), I’d be much more likely to visit soon.

There is still the issue of legal marijuana sales in stores. The marijuana legalization initiative only provided for the possession and cultivation of marijuana. Any provisions for taxing and selling marijuana, or anything in D.C. for that matter, has to be approved by Congress. I don’t picture Congress willingly doing that right now, but I think that seeing how much marijuana is flowing through D.C. once everyone starts harvesting could change that for some federal politicians. Hopefully they realize that it would be better to bring some of that marijuana into a system where taxes can be collected, rather than just sticking their heads in the sand and acting like the ‘marijuana fad’ will go away.

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