Photo via Capital City Care

Councilmembers Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) will hold a public committee hearing tonight at the Anacostia Neighborhood Library on the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.

Tonight’s hearing comes on the heels of Wells’ marijuana decriminalization bill, “The Simple Possession of Small Quantities Of Marijuana Decriminalization Amendment Act of 2013,” which proposes that the penalty for possession of an ounce of marijuana or less would carry a civil penalty punishable by a $100 fine. The public is invited to testify in favor or against the proposed bill, which will go to vote at the D.C. Council’s meeting next week.

Last week, DCMJ 2014, a group of activists who want marijuana legalized in the District, introduced their own proposal for a legalization bill that would tax and regulate the sale and home cultivation of marijuana. Members of the group are expected to testify against Wells’ bill, instead favoring Councilmember David Grosso’s (I-At Large) marijuana legalization bill.

The hearing kicks off at 6:30 p.m. The Anacostia Neighborhood Library is located at 1800 Good Hope Road SE. Tomorrow morning, the hearing will reconvene at the Wilson Building in the Council Chamber, room 500, at 11:30 a.m.

Do you think marijuana should be decriminalized or legalized in the District? DCist is curious to hear what our readers think on this issue. Email matt@dcist.com if you’d like to sound off about why you’re in favor or not in favor of decriminalization or legalization of marijuana in D.C.