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Updated with comments from Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie.

Today could have been a big showdown between pot advocates and opponents—the permanent ban on social smoking was set for a vote at the D.C. Council. Moments before the bill was going to be added to the agenda, though, Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie moved the permanent ban from consideration until at least February 16.

Instead, the council struck a more conciliatory tone, voting unanimously to establish a task force that will come back in 120 days with recommendations regarding the feasibility of pot clubs in the District. The task force is part of temporary legislation that extends the social-use ban for an additional 225 days.

McDuffie told DCist he withdrew the legislation because “the majority of the council felt it necessary to spend more time” considering it and “making sure community sentiment is represented.” He says he needs the opportunity to speak with colleagues before determining whether he will wait until the task force’s report to reintroduce the permanent ban.

The Council passed emergency legislation immediately after legalization to ban social use of marijuana, citing regulatory concerns. While the council overturned the ban on private cannabis clubs early this January for a few minutes, lobbying from the mayor and police chief led to a second vote that kept the emergency legislation in place.

“The time is right for us to consider designated spaces for communal smoking,” said Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. “The existing ban is overly broad and punitive.” She noted that a permanent ban could tie the Council’s hands when it comes to marijuana policy, thanks to a Congressional rider.

At Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman said that the D.C. Council faced a unique balancing act between District voters’ wants and the impositions of Congress, and insight from the task force could help find a solution.

At Large Councilmember Vincent Orange, who introduced the amendment along with Nadeau, At Large Councilmember David Grosso, and Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, said the seven-person task force would include leaders from D.C. Police, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the Office of the Attorney General, the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, Department of Health, and two councilmembers.

“Today’s withdrawal of the permanent ban shows that elected officials have finally begun to heed their constituents’ wishes, but the fight for the creation of regulated places where adults can legally consume marijuana is far from over,” said Kaitlyn Boecker, policy analyst with the Drug Policy Alliance. “We look forward to working with the task force to develop recommendations establishing regulated places where adults can legally consume marijuana.”

A recent Washington City Paper poll found that 61 percent of District residents support “regulated places where adults can legally consume marijuana.”