d.c. initiative 71 Archives

On Tuesday, voters in Washington D.C. approved an initiative to legalize the possession of up to two ounces of cannabis, and the private cultivation of up to six cannabis plants, for those 21 and older. Unlike legalization initiatives approved in Alaska and Oregon this election (and Washington and Colorado in 2012), D.C.’s Initiative 71 doesn’t allow for cannabis retail outlets, or for cannabis to be distributed through any other means.

However, at her first press-conference since winning the election, Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser announced that she supports legalizing cannabis sales, and that district lawmakers will “turn our attention to it”.

It’s officially the day after the 2014 election, and although there were some tough defeats – namely Florida – the overall results were a huge victory for the cannabis reform movement, with two more states, plus the U.S. Capitol, legalizing cannabis.

In Oregon, voters gave approval to Measure 91, a proposal which will legalize the possession of up to eight ounces of cannabis, a limit that’s eight times higher than that of Washington and Colorado. The initiative will also allow everyone 21 and older to cultivate up to four plants, and purchase cannabis from state-licensed outlets, which should be open by 2016. This initiative proves that a possession limit far above the standard one-ounce certainly isn’t a deal-breaker for voters. It also demonstrates – as with Alaska and Colorado – that voters are undeniably comfortable with allowing for the private cultivation of cannabis, and not just its possession and sale.

D.C. Mayor-Elect Announces Support for Legalizing Cannabis Sales

Breaking Down the 2014 Election, and What it Means for the Future of Cannabis Law Reform