Washington D.C. Marijuana Legalization, Initiative 71 2/26/15

A Washington, D.C., Marijuana Legalization, Initiative 71 ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the District of Columbia, where it was approved. Initiative 71 made the use of up to two ounces of marijuana and the possession and cultivation of up to three marijuana plants legal according to city law. Election law does not allow a citizen initiative to mandate the expenditure of city funds. This forced Initiative 71 to avoid addressing the regulation and legalization of marijuana sales, since a regulatory system would require substantial city expenditure. Thus, Initiative 71 simply legalized possession and personal cultivation. The initiative demanded that the city council design an ordinance to establish regulations on marijuana retail and enforcement of such regulations.[1] Although 70 percent of voters approved Initiative 71, the fate of legal marijuana use remained somewhat uncertain. Congress seems intent on preventing the implementation of the measure, while city officials staunchly moved forward with the voter-approved proposal. At one point, the city council did back down from meeting to discuss implementation of marijuana legalization after it was pointed out by city attorneys that jail time or fines could be the penalty for moving against Congress.   -----------------> CHECK IT OUT!!