Washington DC
In November 2014, District voters approved the Legalization of Possession of Minimal Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use Initiative (commonly known as Initiative 71). The new law becomes effective on February 26, 2015.
As a result, it is legal for a person who is at least 21 years old to:
Possess two ounces or less of marijuana;
Transfer one ounce or less of marijuana to another person who is at least 21 years old, so long as there is no payment made or any other type of exchange of goods or services;
Cultivate within their residence up to six marijuana plants, no more than three of which are mature;
Possess marijuana-related drug paraphernalia – such as bongs, cigarette rolling papers, and cigar wrappers – that is associated with one ounce or less of marijuana; or
Use marijuana on private property.
What is still a criminal violation?
A person can still be arrested for:
Selling any amount of marijuana to another person;
Possessing more than two ounces of marijuana;
Operating a vehicle or boat under the influence of marijuana; or
Smoking, eating, or drinking marijuana – or holding or carrying a lighted roll of paper or other lighted smoking equipment filled with marijuana – in any public space, such as:
On any street, sidewalk, alley, park, or parking area;
In a vehicle on any street, alley, park, or parking area; or
Any place to which the public is invited.
Marijuana possession by persons under 21 years of age is not allowed.
Initiative 71 did not change existing law on marijuana possession for anyone under 21 years of age: It is still illegal.
A person under 21 with more than two ounces of marijuana can be arrested.
In November 2014, District voters approved the Legalization of Possession of Minimal Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use Initiative (commonly known as Initiative 71). The new law becomes effective on February 26, 2015.
As a result, it is legal for a person who is at least 21 years old to:
Possess two ounces or less of marijuana;
Transfer one ounce or less of marijuana to another person who is at least 21 years old, so long as there is no payment made or any other type of exchange of goods or services;
Cultivate within their residence up to six marijuana plants, no more than three of which are mature;
Possess marijuana-related drug paraphernalia – such as bongs, cigarette rolling papers, and cigar wrappers – that is associated with one ounce or less of marijuana; or
Use marijuana on private property.
What is still a criminal violation?
A person can still be arrested for:
Selling any amount of marijuana to another person;
Possessing more than two ounces of marijuana;
Operating a vehicle or boat under the influence of marijuana; or
Smoking, eating, or drinking marijuana – or holding or carrying a lighted roll of paper or other lighted smoking equipment filled with marijuana – in any public space, such as:
On any street, sidewalk, alley, park, or parking area;
In a vehicle on any street, alley, park, or parking area; or
Any place to which the public is invited.
Marijuana possession by persons under 21 years of age is not allowed.
Initiative 71 did not change existing law on marijuana possession for anyone under 21 years of age: It is still illegal.
A person under 21 with more than two ounces of marijuana can be arrested.