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!