Changing the Marijuana Laws

Changing the Marijuana Laws With Colorado and Washington state legalizing marijuana, 2014 has been an important year for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States.  Last month, the DC Council passed one of the most progressive laws in the US concerning the decriminalization of marijuana.  Soon, District residents will not have to fear going to jail for possessing small amounts of marijuana, instead being caught with marijuana will result in a $25 fine, akin to a traffic ticket. 

But where will the marijuana come from?  Why not fully legalize it?  Currently, most of the cannabis comes from outside Washington, DC, and until the DC Council passes a “tax & regulate” law — similar to what was passed in Colorado and Washington state — District residents are in limbo. 

In order to rectify this, the DC Cannabis Campaign (online at www.DCMJ.org) submitted legislation in January that will soon become voter initiative #71, which will allow District residents to grow their own marijuana at home.  Residents won’t be allowed to sell their marijuana to others, but they’ll be guaranteed the right to cultivate and consume cannabis in the privacy and safety of their homes.  The DC Cannabis Campaign will need to collect nearly 25,000 signatures from registered DC voters in order to put the initiative on November’s general election ballot.  If you are interested in helping the campaign, please send an email to Volunteer@DCMJ.org. 

Tonight, the DC Cannabis Campaign is joining with the Maryland and Virginia chapters of NORML to give out awards to those who have helped change the marijuana laws in the “DMV.”  We hope you will join us!

The Making of Busboys and Poets

A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets

We’re proud to announce A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets, the new memoir from our CEO and Founder, which reveals the vision, challenges, and triumphs behind opening Busboys and Poets. Packed with misadventures, unexpected triumphs, and insights on race, business and politics, Andy Shallal’s memoir takes us on a “How I Built … Continued

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For Langston Hughes on His 123 Birthday

Speech given on February 1, 2024 in Havana, Cuba In 1927 Langston Hughes walked into a Cuba amid an emerging community of artists, intellectuals, and radicals.  He saw a “sunrise in a new land [– a day – in his words]sic – full of brownskin surprises, and hitherto unknown contacts in a world of color.”  … Continued

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Palestine Week 2024

January 18, 2024 – January 25, 2024 In keeping with our ongoing mission of uplifting racial and cultural connections, Busboys and Poets is hosting Palestine Week (January 18 through January 25, 2024). This week-long series of events will offer a diverse range of programming featuring Palestinian food, music, dance, poetry, discussions, and other enriching events. … Continued

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5. Cuba – Ministry of Culture

We approach the towering yellow stucco building that houses the Ministry of Culture. There is a delegation waiting patiently to greet us at the sidewalk. They are standing in front of a metal gated entrance. Their inviting faces have welcome written all over. We exchange “Holas”. And handshakes. The handful of Spanish words I know … Continued

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The Ward 8 World’s Greatest Sweet Potato Pie Contest

The Ward 8 World’s Greatest Sweet Potato Pie Contest at Busboys and Poets Anacostia encourages Ward 8 residents to share their amazing baking skills and tasty treats with the community and Busboys and Poets tribe. Each entrant will receive a $50 Busboys and Poets Giftcard 10 Semi-finalists will receive a $100 Cash Prize  5 Finalists will receive a $250 Cash Prize The grand prize winner will receive a $1000 cash prize and … Continued

Rising Artist Frank Ocean did something important

Rising Artist Frank Ocean did something important

“We can thank Frank Ocean, not only for making a public statement that sweeps aside shadows and offers young fans another powerfully vulnerable star to admire and emulate, but for reminding us that while proudly declaring an identity can be a politically crucial gesture, often the human heart is not so sure-footed. The process of becoming and unbecoming, loving and losing, is what often makes for the most meaningful art.” – Ann Powers, NPR