by Brieanna Bowman ‘16 | Design Chief

On Thursday, February 26, 2015 as of 12:01 a.m., the District of Columbia legalized the possession of marijuana in most circumstances.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, elected in 2014, and with the approval from 70 percent of DC residents, implemented the new law.

The law is not as cut and dry as it appears. Major guidelines have been established to govern:

Possession

• Resident must be 21 years of age
• May only possess up to two ounces

Sale/ Distribution

• Can only transport up to 1 ounce
• May have up to 6 plants in a house, with only 3 of the plants being mature
• Sale of marijuana for money is prohibited
• May not smoke in any public place
• Prohibited on Federal Grounds
• Not allowed within 1000 feet from schools, play grounds, daycares, junior colleges, colleges, universities, public swimming pools, arcades, youth center,  library, and in or around public housing

Jobs

• Federal government workers cannot partake in marijuana
• Private employers can still prohibit employees from doing drugs, but cannot require a drug test before extending a job offer

The legalization of marijuana was not an overnight thing. Since August 2013, a group known as DC Cannabis Campaign has been lobbying for better/more modern marijuana laws. Finally with the efforts of 500 volunteers and campaign staff, Ballot Initiative 71 was passed and became law in the Nation’s Capital.