District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray has approved legislation that decriminalizes the possession of up to an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana in the US capital.
Image: NBC News
The law takes marijuana possession down from a misdemeanor to a civil violation with a $25 fine. Misdemeanors for possession carried up to six months in jail with a $1,000 fine.
Seventeen states have some form of decriminalization.
As with all District laws, the measure must still find ultimate approval through the US House of Representatives, as Washington, DC does not have final authority over the laws of its own city.
Republican Speaker John Boehner said the House will “look” at the bill. The Republican-led House has found fit to block District-passed legislation in recent years – the House has barred DC from using its own local funds to provide abortion services.
Congress has 60 days to review the decriminalization law.
Non-voting DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said she doubts the House will take up issue.
“In a country where many states are permitting medical marijuana, or have decriminalized or legalized marijuana, I do not expect Members of Congress to interfere with DC’s local right to pass its own law on marijuana decriminalization,” Norton said in a statement. “If Members try to interfere, however, I will stoutly defend DC’s right to pass such legislation, just as 17 states have already done.”
More from Russia Today
Posted by The NON-Conformist
