WASHINGTON - The D.C. City Council voted Tuesday to decriminalize marijuana consumption in private homes, putting the nation’s capital in line with a growing list of states that have loosened sanctions for using the drug.
The council approved lowering the punishment for possession of as much as 1 ounce of marijuana to a fine, instead of potential jail time. The bill now goes to Mayor Vincent Gray, a Democrat, who supports eliminating criminal penalties and has said he will sign it, and to Congress, which can reject it.
At least 17 states have legalized or decriminalized recreational use or possession of marijuana, putting them at odds with federal law. Washington state and Colorado have legalized the sale of the drug for recreational use, and advocates are pushing similar measures in other states.
“This is a victory for social justice and a major step for the nation’s capital,” council member Tommy Wells, a Democrat, said in a statement. “This bill is a tremendous stride to end the disproportionate impact of marijuana arrests that keep our residents from jobs, higher education and housing opportunities.”
Council members cited concern that the criminal penalties disproportionately affect blacks, who are statistically more likely to face arrest for drug charges than whites.
The measure was approved by a vote of 10-1, with one abstention.
Front Section, Pages 8 on 03/05/2014