(Newswire.net — February 25, 2015) — Washington, DC. – A law to legalize marijuana in the District will go into effect at 12:01am Thursday, unless Congress steps in at the last minute, NBC reported.
Reportedly, as a part of a public education campaign, if marijuana becomes legal in DC in Thursday, the DC police officers will carry a business card sized summary of the new rules. Since that cards are already printed it seems no one really believes that Congress will somehow interfere although it the has right to do so. Even D.C.’s mayor has said that is now too late for Congress to stop the so-called “pot law.”
The legalization, however, does not mean there are is full legalization. In fact the law, approved by voters last fall, will permit possession of small amounts of marijuana by those ages 21 or older, with consumption allowed only in private homes and space.
The card includes the following points:
– Those ages 21 or older are allowed to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, grow up to six cannabis plants at home (with no more than three mature), or give away up to one ounce of marijuana to someone else (who also must be at least 21 years old).
– Those younger than 21 cannot possess any amount of marijuana. Any such marijuana can be seized by an officer.
– If coat smoking or consuming marijuana in public, or have more than 2 ounces or sell any amount of marijuana, you can be arrested.
– Those who drive while impaired or under the influence of marijuana will be prosecuted.
– Under federal law, federal law enforcement officers may arrest anyone in the District for possession of any amount of marijuana, specifically on any federal property.
It’s important to note that the new law is only a local one, because the District includes both DC land and federal land. So, the new law doesn’t apply to possession on federal parklands, such as the National Mall, Rock Creek Park and traffic circles patrolled by US Park Police. Even on non-federal properties, it will remain illegal to smoke or consume pot while in a public space, NBC reported.
On a back of the card, beside other health hazard warnings, there is also this one: “You shouldn’t use marijuana just because local laws have changed.”
This restriction to the legalizations raises many unanswered questions. While the new law legalizes possession and consumption of marijuana in a user’s home, the sale of marijuana remains illegal.
“There are so many unanswered questions surrounding it,” said Council member Jack Evans on Monday. “If you’re going to grow [marijuana], how do you get the seeds, because that’s illegal.”
Medical marijuana is already legal in the District, and possession of small amounts of marijuana was decriminalized last year after Congress did not step in to block that law. However, since then, federal officers have arrested and charged about 30 people on federal land, NBC reported.