Congress Won't Block Marijuana Legalization In Washington, Dc— But It Will Prevent Sales

[Sledge]

Congress won't block marijuana legalization in Washington, DC— but it will prevent sale

Congress won't halt a voter-approved marijuana legalization initiative in Washington, DC, after all, but federal lawmakers will block a bill that would allow the sales of marijuana in the district, reported the National Journal.

DC's legalization initiative got more than 69 percent of the vote in November. But ballot initiatives, like all DC laws, must get congressional approval to become law, and they can be blocked through congressional budgetary requirements.

DC's marijuana legalization measure would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, grow up to six plants, and give marijuana to other adults 21 and older.

The measure wouldn't legalize, regulate, or tax sales, because voter initiatives in DC can't have a direct impact on the local budget.

Congress can block any of DC's laws

View galle

The US Capitol, where Congress resides — and approves DC's laws. (MyLoupe / UIG via Getty Images)

Through the Home Rule Act of 1973, Washington, DC, can elect a sitting local government composed of a council, mayor, and other local agencies. But the Home Rule Act also made it so each law passed by the local government requires congressional approval. And Congress can still block DC's laws through budgetary requirements, as they are reportedly doing with a bill that would allow the sales of recreational marijuana.

Congress previously used this authority to block DC from implementing a medical marijuana law for nearly 12 years. Federal lawmakers have also prevented DC from using local tax dollars to fund abortion services and life-saving clean needle exchange programs.

Read more: 6 questions about Washington, DC, statehood you were too disenfranchised to ask.

The measure would prevent DC Council from approving legal pot sales

View galle

A marijuana plant. (Uriel Sinai / Getty Images News)

Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser previously said she would try to enact a bill allowing, taxing, and regulating recreational marijuana businesses if DC voters approved the legalization initiative in November.

But the reported congressional deal would prevent DC lawmakers from essentially expanding the voter-approved initiative, which only allows the legal possession, gifting, and growing of marijuana, to include legal pot sales.

So DC residents will be able to legally possess, grow, and gift their own marijuana. They just won't be able to buy it at a store — at least without a medical marijuana card.

 

Update: This story was updated to include details from the congressional deal reported by the National Journal

 

 

http://news.yahoo.com/congress-may-block-marijuana-legalization-164002836.html

[t-pain]

i like 'grow and give it away' , now we just have to end federal prohibition...