General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsD.C. Just Decriminalized Marijuana!
The Washington D.C. city council just voted to decriminalize according to MPP.
Congrats!
RainDog
(28,784 posts)Possession of an ounce or less of marijuana will be punishable by a civil fine of $25. The bill preserves laws making the public smoking of marijuana a criminal offense.
tridim
(45,358 posts)That isn't going to work D.C.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)...it took them a decade to get Congress to fund the legislation.
So, it's progress, but, yes, the bigger issue is that Congress needs to update and, at least decriminalize marijuana at the national level - legalize is the best option, but movements away from current policy are good news, to me.
tridim
(45,358 posts)But the Georgia thing about Cannabis oil for seizures has me upset too. It is true that Cannabis helps with epilepsy, but Cannabis law should not be politically reactionary as it seems to be becoming lately.
We don't need a special law for every ailment it cures, we just need one law: Cannabis is hereby legal for all adults to use as they see fit.
Prohibition was reactionary and it was just about the dumbest thing we've ever done.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)Seven states - Alabama, Connecticut, Indiana. Maryland... I can't remember all 7 - read it earlier and didn't post about it here. So, considering the reality that a lot of people think marijuana turns people into zombies - any progress is good news.
I agree that this nation needs to simply legalize, but, as we both know, some people have a vested interest in illegal marijuana. Pence, in Indiana, for instance, made a deal with Corrections Corporation to maintain a 90% or so fill rate for its prisons - and passed a law that people have to serve 75% of any sentence.
Pence doesn't want marijuana to be legal because it's a way to remove African Americans from the voter rolls in Indiana, as well as others who traditionally vote for Democrats.
Some states will probably be "dry" states for a long time - just like counties after prohibition.
I'm just tired of the ridiculousness of it all. I would bet that the majority of the college-age children of members of Congress have used marijuana recreationally. I could be wrong...but doubt it. Should their kids be tossed in jail for this? Hell no. So why have laws that allow the state to throw others' kids in jail for something so many do with impunity?
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)RainDog
(28,784 posts)And hope you're doing well!