Marijuana will be legal in Washington, D.C., as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
The nation’s capital will join Colorado, Washington and Alaska as places where possession of marijuana is no longer illegal. Adults 21 years of age or older will be able to grow, possess and use pot in D.C. legally, though selling it will remain against the law.
When the clock strikes midnight on Thursday, anyone over the age of 21 will be able to legally possess up to two ounces of marijuana, grow up to six plants in their homes — three of them mature — and transfer up to one ounce to another person, without an exchange of payment. Drug paraphernalia , such as bongs, will also become legal in D.C.
However, the use of marijuana is only legal in someone’s private residence and someone who rents may be prohibited from using by his or her landlord.
Initiative 71 , the ballot measure that got D.C. to this point, was approved overwhelmingly by 70 percent of voters in November, though Congress attempted to block it a month later. Numerous congressional Republicans voiced their concern over the new referendum, but because they failed to act during the 30-day congressional review period that ends on Thursday, barring any drastic actions, marijuana will become legal in the District.
However, because marijuana is still classified as a Schedule 1 drug, it will not be allowed on land in D.C. that is controlled by the federal government. That means that residents who live in public housing will not be allowed to grow or possess marijuana, because that housing receives federal funding.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Wednesday in a press conference that the initiative was passed by voters and willbecome law as scheduled. The city has been preparing on how to implement and enforce the new pot law.
“We believe that we’re acting lawfully,” Bowser said, shooting back at House Republicans who urged her — and even threatened prison time — to reconsider allowing marijuana legalization to move forward.
“I have a lot of things to do in the District of Columbia,” Bowser said. “Me being in jail wouldn’t be a good thing.”
