Its official as of last week marijuana is now legal in the District of Columbia. It is said that the politicians of Washington D.C. are disconnected with reality, out of touch with the American public and parts of Washington D.C. In fact where many cities struggle with poverty, Washington D.C. suburbs top the list as some of the wealthiest communities in the nation.
Despite the fact that the majority of American citizens support full legalization of marijuana, modern federal laws criminalize the possession of marijuana. However several states such as Oregon and Colorado have opted to ignore federal law, choosing instead to make their own laws governing such matters. Washington D.C. at least for the time being will be joining them.
With medical marijuana and legalization sweeping across the country and politicians transfixed on re-election campaigns, the District of Columbia is going to take part in a social experiment. What does full legalization look like, what results can we expect, will there really be any adverse effects? So the government is electing to give it a test run right in the heart of our nations capitol to perhaps expedite the discussion to judge what the laws should look like in the future.
You may not have known but marijuana has actually been legal to a degree in Washington D.C dating back to 2014 when the bill was first passed: https://ballotpedia.org/Washington_D.C._Marijuana_Legalization,_Initiative_71_%28November_2014%29
February 24, 2015 is not much different, this date just simply marks when the law kicks into full effect. A friend of mine work in Washington D.C as an-administrative assistant to a member of Congress who opposes marijuana legalization. When I first heard this story, I asked him for their comment on the matter, here is bit of our exchange:
Q: So how is legalization going down there in Washington. Is there complete anarchy, are the people running wild in the streets!?
A: laughingly; No. It’s going alright. It does not seem to be bothering anyone and you would not even notice if this wasn’t in the news.
Q: So is this a success for marijuana legalization? Do you think that politicians be more likely to vote in favor or legalization on a National level?
A: No I wouldn’t say that. People were curious to see what would happen. But there are still restrictions, you can cant smoke in certain location, you cant be within a certain number of feet of federal buildings, things like this. You can smoke it in the city now but there are no dispensaries in the city and it is still illegal to buy and sell it. So they are still getting people like this.
Q: What significance if any does this new legislation have on full legalization on a national level?
A: I don’t think there is any significant change. The law is now taking full effect so it will be interesting to watch it play out. I do not feel that it will have any bearing on full legalization because they made it very clear that federal authorities can and will arrest anybody who is caught with marijuana or consuming it on federal land.
My friend seems to take the perspective the more things change, the more they basically stay the same on this matter and is indifferent on the whole issue. Personally, taking the good with the bad, I say this is a victory for marijuana legalization no matter how you look at it. The fabric of society in Washington D.C. has not been destroyed since they legalized weed in 2014, and it does not appear likely any times soon. Just as anti-gay rights supporters had to just sit back and accept that we live in a new time with new laws, I suspect anti-marijuana supporters will soon have to experience the same.
Just For Fun
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