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The D.C. Council voted Tuesday in favor of a bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Mayor Gray is expected to sign the bill into law. Then it will have to wait for the standard congressional review period before going into effect. Congress has rarely used its veto powers over D.C. laws. The vote was little more than a formality. The council had already approved decriminalization by an 11-to-1 vote. But before that initial vote, the council watered down the bill by maintaining criminal penalties for smoking pot in public. Mayor Vincent Gray and Police Chief Cathy Lanier supported maintaining criminal penalties for public smoking. If the bill becomes law, the district would join the 17 states that have some form of decriminalization.
Council member Tommy Wells, the bill's lead sponsor, said the district will have one of the nation's strongest decriminalization policies because the civil fine for possession will be just $25. However, he is concerned that racial disparities will persist among those arrested for smoking. The vote was 10-1-1 with Ward 7 Council member Yvette Alexander casting the only "no" vote. Council member Vincent Orange voted "present," rather than casting an up or down vote. Council member Marion Barry remains at a rehabilitation center following a hospitalization last month and was not able to vote.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Nbcwashington.com
Author: Associated Press / NBC4 Washington
Contact: Contact Us | NBC4 Washington
Website: D.C. Council Votes to Decriminalize Small Amounts of Marijuana | NBC4 Washington
Council member Tommy Wells, the bill's lead sponsor, said the district will have one of the nation's strongest decriminalization policies because the civil fine for possession will be just $25. However, he is concerned that racial disparities will persist among those arrested for smoking. The vote was 10-1-1 with Ward 7 Council member Yvette Alexander casting the only "no" vote. Council member Vincent Orange voted "present," rather than casting an up or down vote. Council member Marion Barry remains at a rehabilitation center following a hospitalization last month and was not able to vote.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Nbcwashington.com
Author: Associated Press / NBC4 Washington
Contact: Contact Us | NBC4 Washington
Website: D.C. Council Votes to Decriminalize Small Amounts of Marijuana | NBC4 Washington
