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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Washington, D.C., Panel Weighs Decriminalizing Marijuana

(Reuters) - The District of Columbia stepped closer to decriminalizing marijuana on Wednesday when a city council panel approved a measure that would make smoking a joint in the U.S. capital a violation comparable to a parking ticket.

Approved unanimously by the city council's public safety committee, the bill reduces penalties for possessing less than an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana to a fine as little as $25.

Eight times more blacks than non-blacks in Washington are arrested for pot possession, and committee Chairman Tommy Wells said the measure's goal was fairness and reducing law enforcement costs.

"This is a social justice bill that addresses disproportionate impact," said Wells, who is among nine candidates for mayor in the April 1 Democratic primary.

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good thing O'Malley wants to be president, it'll stay illegal in MD for at least another year

Anonymous said...

If it has anything to do with dope they will have a better chance of getting a job in the Obama administration.

Anonymous said...

we used to have to go over the DC/ Maryland State line to go to Strip Bars Buy Beer and Fireworks -- the Cops would set up and grab whoever they pleased-- they probably had undercover radios set up in the Parking lots