US Congress decriminalizes up to one ounce of marijuana

This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on December 5, 2014.

On July 17, 2014, the District of Columbia law on possession of small amounts of marijuana changed. As a result, it is no longer a criminal violation for a person to:

• Possess one ounce or less of marijuana;
• Transfer one ounce or less of marijuana to another person, so long as there is no payment made or any other type of exchange of goods or services; or
• Possess marijuana-related drug paraphernalia – such as bongs, cigarette rolling papers, and cigar wrappers – that are associated with one ounce or less of marijuana.

Although the actions noted above are no longer criminal violations, any person found by an Washington DC police officer to be in possession of one ounce or less of marijuana can receive a $25 ticket. Any visible marijuana or paraphernalia will be seized.

The decriminalization ballot initiative passed by DC residents was given the green light (or rather, not disapproved) by the United States Congress. The District of Columbia Home Rule Act is a United States federal law passed on December 24, 1973 which devolved certain congressional powers of the District of Columbia to local government, furthering District of Columbia home rule. In particular, it includes the District Charter (also called the Home Rule Charter), which provides for an elected mayor and the Council of the District of Columbia.

Under the “Home Rule” government, Congress reviews and approves all legislation, like the decriminalization initiative, passed by the council before it can become law and retains authority over the District’s budget. The president appoints the District’s judges, and the District still has no voting representation in Congress. Because of these and other limitations on local government, many citizens of the District continue to lobby for the greater autonomy, such as full statehood.

To learn more about marijuana decriminalization in the District of Columbia visit: http://mpdc.dc.gov/marijuana