Washington, DC, February 26, 2015 – The evolving regions within the US permitting possession of marijuana for recreational use can add our Nation’s capital to the list as of 12:01 AM EST this morning, under Ballot Initiative 71. Thanks to residents who voiced their opinion through voting back on November 4, 2014, the legislation ruled in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use to any citizen 21 years of age or older (not to mention the end result was a victorious 70.1-29.9% in favor). This is a huge milestone for other budding regions to follow pursuit, since the mother-ship of legislation has publically progressed in the direction of recreational marijuana acceptance.
Ballot Initiative 71 will permit the following:
– Possession of up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use PER INDIVIDUAL, 21 years of age and older. Want to make this even more exciting? Host a get-together at your place in DC and have each person bring up to two ounces with them to party – The WSJ Team would love to hear about it!
– Grow up to six plants in your personal residence, but only a maximum of three can be considered mature at any given time.
– “Gift” but NOT sell up to one ounce of marijuana to another individual who is at least 21 years of age or older. Since there is technically no profit or tax regulation on a gift to someone, this makes it perfectly legal. Now you can turn your DC friends’ frowns upside down with a heady zip, without risking handcuffs!
– Use of or sell drug paraphernalia for the use, cultivation, or processing of marijuana.
Ballot Initiative 71 DOES NOT permit DC residents to possess or smoke in public places, i.e. street corners, museums, parks, monuments, etc. To give you a better picture, almost 29% of the land in DC is managed by federal laws, not the local laws that Initiative 71 and the previous decriminalization and medical marijuana laws fell under. You will still catch a federal charge for violating these, when all you were really trying to do was catch your first buzz off that new Alaskan Thunder Fuck. Do yourself a favor and continue to chief inside the privacy of yours and your friends’ homes.
The WSJ Team took to the streets this Thursday afternoon in search of any subtle celebrations on the legalization. We landed in Nando’s Peri-Peri off 7th ST NW, who were conveniently offering free chicken and wraps from 4:20-5:20 PM at any one of their four DC locations. Anyone who says marijuana smokers are habitually late were proven wrong – the line was filled with guests looking to satisfy those infamous cravings free of charge, along with others who don’t necessarily smoke, but still enjoy a free meal. In addition to freebies the staff made it a point to show their enthusiasm towards guests for that special hour. One manager was even walking around offering fresh sangria to guests 21 years of age and older. Maybe it was just us but it seemed everyone in here had some other reason to be smiling other than devouring some complimentary chicken.
Keep it Green,
D
In case you haven’t heard, DC was not the only place to instate marijuana legalization this week in the US! Click here to learn more.
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