D.C. Legalizes Recreational Marijuana

Despite warnings from congressional members, Mayor Muriel Bowser allowed D.C.’s marijuana legalization law to take effect on Feb 26.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, told Bowser that if she continued with implementing marijuana legalization she would face “very serious consequences.” Chaffetz also stated: “You can go to prison for this” and “we’re not playing a little game here.”

Bowser was undeterred by the threat and stated that “We are acting lawfully. I have a lot of things to do, being in jail wouldn’t be a good thing.”

Almost two thirds of D.C. voters approved Initiative 71 last November. Under Initiative 71, any person age 21 or older will be allowed to possess two ounces or less of marijuana, be able to use marijuana on privately owned property, and donate one ounce or less of marijuana to another person as long as no money, goods or services are exchanged.