Washington DC Moves Forward with Legalizing Marijuana

Washington DC to Move forward with Legalizing MarijuanaWashington DC to Move forward with Legalizing Marijuana

In yet another blow to the United States’ decades-long war on drugs, Washington D.C. voters legalized recreational marijuana last November approving Initiative 71by an overwhelming majority. The new law legalizes adult marijuana use, possession of up to two ounces and home cultivation of up to six marijuana plants for personal use. But, a month later Congress reached a $1.1 trillion spending deal that bars the District from legalizing marijuana—a move President Obama opposed. However DC is isn’t giving up the fight for legalization just yet. According to the Washington Post:

“The District of Columbia defied the new Republican Congress on Tuesday, challenging the House and Senate to either block or let stand a voter-approved ballot measure to legalize marijuana in the nation’s capital.

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) sent the measure to Capitol Hill, starting the clock on a 30-day review window that Congress has usedonly three times in 40 years to quash a local D.C. law.

If Congress or President Obama do not act to block it, the ballot measure permitting possession of up to two ounces and home cultivation of pot could become law in the District as early as March.”

So there you have it—if Congress does nothing to block the initiative it automatically becomes law. Another outcome could be that the issue faces legal battles forcing federal courts to make a final decision on marijuana legalization. Since Congress is pretty good at doing nothing, we’re pretty certain legal weed will be available in DC this spring.



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