In a surprise move, the Council of the District of Columbia voted to let private clubs hold private events, where people would be allowed to smoke marijuana without violating the law. The new regulation would have been effective on Jan 15.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser heard about the vote and lobbied several council members to reverse their vote, and they did.
Since the law has been on the books, the emphasis has been on home grown, home use only for marijuana in the district. The council wanted to end a specific ban on private club use on Jan. 15, allowing marijuana use in private clubs.
When she found out about the vote, she made several phone calls to councilmembers, and the council reversed itself, leaving the private club ban in place.
The mayor was concerned that without rules or regulations to monitor private club use, police wouldn’t have clear direction on enforcement. Councilmembers said the mayor’s warning had merit.
“She made some valid points,” said Councilman Jack Evans, from Ward 2. “This could be the Wild West if this doesn’t get taken care of.”
“By allowing the current law to lapse in a couple of weeks, there would actually be some disorder,” Chairman Phil Mendelson. “Several members realized that actually was more of a problem than they had realized on the initiative vote.”
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According to the current law, people 21 and older can possess up to two ounces of pot or grow up to six plants in private homes for personal use, although only three plants may be mature at a time. In households with multiple adults, that number can increase to six mature plants.
People can also give up to an ounce to someone else, as long as both parties are 21 or older. However, selling marijuana or exchanging it for goods or services remains illegal.
The city says its policy boils down to four words: Home grow, home use. Smoking in public or in cars, restaurants, bars and coffee shops remains illegal.
Council judiciary chairman Kenyan McDuffie said the council will explore whether to change the law in the future, but there’s no change now.
