On February 26th, 2015, the possession of marijuana in small amounts is allowed within the District of Columbia – in certain situations – for people who are 21 years old or older.
Find more information about modifications to the marijuana laws of the District. (This announcement also contains links to information sheet.)
Be aware of the facts regarding marijuana use!
What’s no longer a crime infraction?
On November 14, 2014 District voters voted in favor of the legalization of Possession of Small Amounts of marijuana for Personal Use Initiative (commonly referred to as Initiative 71). The new law takes effect on February 26, 2015.
In the end legally, anyone that is at least age 21 to:
- You must possess 2 ounces or less marijuana;
- Transfer 1 to one ounce or less to a person who’s at minimum 21 years old, insofar as there isn’t a payment or other form of exchange for goods or services.
- In their home, they can cultivate as many as six plants of marijuana, but no more than three of them are mature.
- Possess marijuana-related paraphernalia like bongs, cigarettes rolling papers and cigar wrappers that are connected to less than one ounce of marijuana or
Use marijuana on private property.
What’s a crime that is not a offense?
- An individual can still be detained for:
- Any amount of marijuana to a third party;
- Possessing greater than two grams of marijuana
- operating a boat or vehicle while under the influence or
- Eating, smoking, or drinking marijuana, or holding or carrying a roll of paper or any other lit smoking apparatus that is filled with marijuana in any public area for example:
- On any sidewalk, street or alleyway, park or parking space;
- In a vehicle that is on a street, alleyway or parking space; or
- Any location to which the public is welcome.
- Possession of marijuana by anyone who are younger than 21 is prohibited.
- Initiative 71 didn’t change the laws on marijuana use for those who are who is younger than 21 The law remains in place.
- Anyone under 21 who has more than 2 ounces of marijuana could be detained.
What happens if someone is under 21?
When an MPD officer comes across an under-21 person with up to two ounces marijuana and is able to seize it, it will be taken. But, the individual will not be detained or issued an ticket.
If the person claims they are at the age of 21 but is unable to prove age, they are issued a warning notice issued by an MPD officer. The marijuana that was seized is returned when the person presents the ticket of warning at the station of police within the district in which the incident took place (no later than 24 hours and not longer than 21 days from the time of the seizure) and also provides evidence of their age of the person.
The impact on medicinal marijuana patients.
Someone who was granted a Medical Marijuana Card by the District Department of Health may be able to carry up to two ounces medical marijuana every month. However, using medical marijuana in public is an offense that can lead to an arrest.
The federal government has law enforcement authorities that enforce the law.
While there is a law that states the District of Columbia has decriminalized possession of up to 2 grams of marijuana for people older than 21 Federal law prohibits the consumption or possession of any quantity of marijuana. In the end federal law enforcement officers are able to arrest anyone living in the District of Columbia for posse