\t\tWashington DC faces lawless new world of legal marijuana\t\t\tBarring last-minute federal intervention, the District's attorney general said that pot will become legal as early as Feb. 26 without any regulations in place to govern a new marketplace that is likely to explode into view.<div>\n <div>Published:\tFeb 16, 2015, 10:18 am By Aaron C. Davis, The Washington Post The District of Columbia could soon earn a new nickname: the Wild West of marijuana. In 10 days, a voter-approved initiative to legalize marijuana will take effect, D.C. officials say. Residents and visitors old enough to drink a beer will be able to possess enough pot to roll 100 joints. They will be able to carry it, share it, smoke it and grow it. By late summer, the first crop of legal, home-grown District bud could start peeking out from balconies and backyards within view of the U.S. Capitol. But it's entirely unclear how anyone will obtain it. Unlike the four states where voters have approved recreational pot use, the District government has been barred from establishing rules governing how marijuana will be sold. It was prohibited from doing so by Congress, which has jurisdiction over the city. In December, after voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum to legalize pot use, opponents in Congress tried to upend the result by blocking any new rules establishing legal ways to sell it, protections for those caught purchasing it or taxes to cover its social costs. D.C. officials say that Congress's action did not halt the initiative, but it did set the city up for potential chaos. Barring last-minute federal intervention, the District's attorney general said that pot will become legal as early as Feb. 26 without any regulations in place to govern a new marketplace that is likely to explode into view. Even some supporters of the initiative are worried. At best, they predict an uncertain free-for-all where marijuana enthusiasts immediately start growing and smoking at home - and testing the limits of a law that does not allow for public consumption or sale. At worst, they say, as entrepreneurs push ahead with the business of pot, unregulated businesses will start popping up with no means to judge the safety of their product. Two ballrooms on Capitol Hill are already reserved for a pot expo on Feb. 28. A date for a massive marijuana seed giveaway is in the works for early March. Some are planning “cannabis clubs†with membership fees and access to the plant. Others hope to offer high-end catered dinners cooked in marijuana-infused oils; recently, an underground test dinner was served a mile and a half north of the White House. “Where can it be bought? Sold? Eaten? Smoked? We're not going to have answers to any of that, and that makes me very concerned,†said Council member David Grosso, independent. And as the consequences play out in the nation's capital, he said, it could set back the entire movement: “Let's be responsible about how we do this so we don't have a negative image coming out.†Read more about the marijuana issues ahead for Washington, D.C. 1 2 All Next <div>Topics: congress, district of columbia, legalization vote, marijuana industry, marijuana legalization, pot legalization, washington d.c., washington dc \n </div></div></div>\t
Hmm, should be interesting. It's still fucked up that people can't legally sell it or legally buy it. That's not really legalization.
Well, it could be better than a regulated marketplace. You could "gift" it to someone and accept a "donation". No taxes or fees or licenses to deal with.
That whole gift/donation loophole doesn't fly in court. You'll be arrested if any money is exchanged. So it's not much better than decriminalization.
Probably, but it's way better than decriminalization. Where can I grow my own bud under decriminalization? Possess an once or more without paying a fine?
The absence of fines is a minor improvement. Growing your own plants is a big deal no doubt but it doesn't really compare to walking into a legal dispensary and choosing from a few dozen high end, cannabis products of all types. That, my friend, is living the dream for most of us tokers.
For me, growing my own legally is more important than retail stores. Home grown tomatoes always taste better than store bought.
Okay so personal growers are set in DC. What about everyone else? Full legalization would make all cannabis consumers happy. The legal market for picky shoppers, the freedom to grow for growers and a remaining black market for the rest.
There are people who think the taxed weed from weed shops is too expensive so they'll use the black market. I have no idea how much of the market has this attitude but it probably comes down to income levels.
We got a show down \t\tUpdate: DC mayor says marijuana plan will proceed\t\t\tTwo GOP Congressmen had issued threats of prison for District of Columbia officials who are going forward with the voter-approved recreational pot initiative.\n Published:\tFeb 25, 2015, 11:09 amComments (11) By Ben Nuckols, Associated Press WASHINGTON - Possession of marijuana will become legal in the nation's capital, Mayor Muriel Bowser reiterated Wednesday, defying a threat from Congress that she and other city leaders could face prison time for implementing a voter-approved initiative. Bowser, a Democrat, said the city's plans haven't changed despite a letter from two leading House Republicans warning of repercussions if the city moves forward with legalization, which was set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Congress has final say over the laws in the District of Columbia, and the two sides disagree about whether Congress acted quickly enough to block an initiative legalizing pot, which was approved by nearly two-thirds of city voters in November. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican who chairs the House Oversight Committee, urged Bowser in a letter late Tuesday to reconsider her plans to implement the initiative, saying that doing so would clearly violate federal law. “Bullying the District of Columbia is not what his constituents expect, nor do ours,†Bowser said. “We do disagree on a matter of law. There are reasonable ways to resolve that without us threatening him or he us.†The District will become the first place east of the Mississippi River where recreational pot is legal. Alaska also legalized pot this week, joining Colorado and Washington state. The initiative legalizes possession of up to 2 ounces for use at home, and people will also be permitted to grow up to three mature plants. Smoking marijuana in public remains illegal, as does buying or selling the drug. \tGoing online with legalization“Home grow, home useâ€: Washington DC officials set to allow legal marijuana, home growing starting Feb. 26 Newly legal: Alaska on Tuesday became the third U.S. state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana Any cause for concern? Washington DC entering world of legal marijuana without regulation, taxation Follow The Cannabist on Twitter and Facebook Congress approved language in December that appeared to block the initiative. District leaders argued it was enacted before Congress took action, even though it had yet to take effect. Chaffetz said that interpretation was wrong and that the mayor and other District employees would face possible prison time by moving forward. “The penalties are severe, and we're serious about this. Nobody's wishing or wanting that to happen, but the law is clear,†he said in an interview. It would be up to the Justice Department to prosecute District officials, a scenario that appears unlikely. However, Congress could sue the city over its actions. House Republicans could also retaliate by pulling funding for other District programs. The letter from Chaffetz and Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina warned that by spending money to change pot laws, Bowser and other District officials would violate the Anti-Deficiency Act, which prohibits spending of federal dollars that have not been appropriated. The committee also launched an investigation, demanding that the District turn over all documents detailing money that's been spent and time that's been put in by city employees to implement the initiative. No one has ever been convicted of violating the Anti-Deficiency Act, although government employees have been punished administratively for violations. Opinion: Congress in urgent need of chilling out Jamie Raskin, a constitutional law professor at American University, characterized the threat of criminal prosecution as “a lot of huffing and puffing on Capitol Hill.†“The real power Congress has is the power of the purse,†said Raskin, who's also a Democratic Maryland state senator. “They can exact their retribution financially against the District.†Congress hasn't struck down a specific city law in 25 years. Instead, members often add language to critical pieces of federal legislation to undo city policies they don't like. The language on pot was included in a spending bill that was needed to keep the government running. The city has already decriminalized possession, and under legalization, police officers would no longer issue $25 civil fines for people caught with pot. Bowser said that by implementing the initiative, she was simply doing her job, and she said she hoped she could work more productively with Congressional Republicans on other issues. “We would encourage the Congress to not be so concerned about overturning what seven out of 10 voters said should be the law in the District of Columbia,†she said. ___ Follow Ben Nuckols on Twitter: APBenNuckols D.C.'s current pot consequences: Nobody paying their pot fines after marijuana decriminalized
Bowser basically said "All I have is my balls and my word ..and I don't break them for no one" Much respect to this woman... more balls than most men in office... Looks like a metro ride to the city ^_^
These are the same Republican shitbags who constantly complain of overreach by big government. I'm dying to see them turn this into a criminal case against local elected officials; should be entertaining.
Republicans who don't support the will of the voters, so much for republicans being about small government.
it could end up like Michigan or Oregon, donations, ya it doesn't hold up but theres a gray area and money to be had
New York Times weighs in. Notice comments picked my the times. Very supportive of the cause. Of course, they did come out last year saying that the editorial board favors legalization. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/us/as-marijuana-becomes-legal-in-washington-congressional-republicans-warn-city-to-think-twice.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=photo-spot-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0 As Pot Becomes Legal in Washington, Congressional Republicans Warn City to Think Twice By <span>JENNIFER STEINHAUER</span> FEB. 26, 2015 Photo<div> Howard Wooldridge, former police detective in favor of legalizing marijuana, attended the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday in National Harbor, Md. <span>Credit Jabin Botsford/The New York Times</span></div> WASHINGTON - Some Congressional Republicans lawmakers said Thursday that they would increase their efforts to prevent residents here from possessing small amounts of marijuana - which became legal in Washington at midnight - and warned that the city would face numerous investigations and hearings should the mayor continue her practice of telling them to please find something else to worry about. “We say move forward at your own peril,†said Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, echoing a letter he sent this week with Representative Mark Meadows, Republican of North Carolina, to city officials warning of legal action and ordering the district to turn over documentation on any employees involved with putting the law into effect. Continue reading the main story On Thursday, the difficulty in detecting a pot-infused sea change in the city was not surprising given that selling the drug in the city remains illegal, and that any plants, which are permitted to be grown at home (six only and only three of them mature) would be hard to see through the perpetual snow on the window panes. Residents are not permitted to smoke in public or on federal land, so any smoke wafting along the Potomac was no less or more than it would have been on Wednesday. Photo Adam Eidinger, chairman of the DC Cannabis Campaign, rolled a joint at the campaign's offices in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. “The culture has always been here,†said Mr. Eidinger. “I think this is going to make private gatherings more cannabis friendly. I like to call it legalization without commercialization.†<span>Credit T.J. Kirkpatrick for The New York Times </span> What is more, the district already decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana last year, making the ability for residents 21 and older now to legally possess two ounces a bit of a snore, statutorily speaking. “The fact is that Initiative 71 is an incremental change from the previous D.C. law that decriminalized small amounts of marijuana,†Michael Czin, a spokesman for Mayor Muriel Bowser, said in an email. “It's largely business as usual for us. Right now, we're focused on implementing the law in a thoughtful, responsible way and making sure our residents know what they can and cannot do.†Adam Eidinger, chairman of the DC Cannabis Campaign, planted six seeds of the “soul shine†variety of marijuana in a little tray in his home, which also serves as the campaign's headquarters. He then rolled up a joint to smoke for the benefit of rolling television cameras. Photo Represenative Jason Chaffetz, Republican of Utah, sent a letter to Washington officials warning them not to let a new city law legalizing marijuana go into effect. <span>Credit Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press </span> At a panel at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday just outside the district, several dozen attendees attended a debate on marijuana legalization, where Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico, debated Anne Marie Buerkle, the commissioner of the Consumer Products Safety Commission. While Ms. Buerkle stressed the impact of a drug she said would “stupefy our youth,†Mr. Johnson emphatically disagreed, arguing that the debate was akin to arguing “over whether the sun is going to come up tomorrow.†Other guests at the conference demonstrated the divide. “Prohibition is a nanny state, liberal idea that the government should protect you from your own stupidity,†Howard Wooldridge, a former police detective and member of a group called Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, said. “For conservatives, this should be their bread and butter. If these people would apply their conservative principles to the issue, they would all be on my side.†Continue reading the main story Continue reading the main story Continue reading the main story The House speaker, John A. Boehner, has deferred the matter to the relevant committees. However, some Republican House members said they would ask the Department of Justice to prevent the legalization of marijuana in the district, which approved the law in a referendum passed overwhelmingly last fall. Congressional Republicans believe they blocked the voter initiative through a last-minute provision into a large federal spending bill. Photo Mayor Muriel Bowser has brushed off Republican lawmakers' threats related to the new marijuana law. <span>Credit Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press </span> “The district is on a slippery slope to becoming Amsterdam,†Mr. Chaffetz said. “We are going to appeal to the U.S. attorney. We want to see the law enforced.†Continue reading the main story Recent Comments Nick Metrowsky 25 minutes agoHey GOP, what happened to state rights? OK. So DC is not a state, but they are a home rule city and en entity unto themselves. Even though... NJB 1 hour agoIt really is time for DC to gain a measure of independence from overbearing, dare I say big-government Republicans who should mind their own... HS 1 hour agoThe Tea Party in Boston was about "Taxation Without Representation." Why aren't the GOP members of Congress who identify as Tea Party... The request to the Justice Department would come soon, Mr. Chaffetz said, adding that there would probably be investigations and hearings in Congress. Ms. Bowser said Wednesday that the city would put its own law into effect and that Congress should “not be so concerned about overturning what seven out of 10 voters said should be the law.†Continue reading the main story Video <div>Play Video|10:04 Guns, Drugs and Money </div> Marijuana is legal in Colorado, but federal law makes banking nearly impossible for the cannabis industry. The result: a dangerous all-cash operation that requires armed guards and layers of security. Video by Axel Gerdau and John Woo on <span>Publish Date February 5, 2015. </span> Photo by Benjamin Rasmussen for The New York Times. Among other things, lawmakers believe that the district could be found in violation of the rarely invoked Anti-Deficiency Act, which stipulates that the city cannot spend money that was not appropriated by Congress, and imposes criminal and financial penalties on violators, something city officials do not believe can happen here. The push by Congressional lawmakers notwithstanding, the Justice Department has made clear that it is not interested in interfering. “The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia has jurisdiction,†said William Miller, a spokesman for that office. “We are following developments and have no further comment at this time.†A few weeks after the marijuana ballot initiative passed, House Republicans placed a provision into a large federal spending bill prohibiting the city, which is overwhelmingly Democratic, from spending tax dollars to enact their initiative. But district officials argue that the marijuana law had already been enacted and certified by the Board of Elections before Congress passed the spending bill, so there was no “enacting†for the House to prevent. “The culture has always been here,†Mr. Eidinger said. “I think this is going to make private gatherings more cannabis friendly. I like to call it legalization without commercialization.†Nick Corasaniti contributed reporting. Next in U.S. Senate Panel Votes to Approve Loretta Lynch as Attorney General
It seems like all someone would have to do is open a club where you pay to be a member and then the club provides free weed, and other things.
From stories I have read, DC is looking to pass a law against this type of establishment. Hopefully they can open a few before such a law has a chance to pass.