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In the first two weeks since D.C.’s marijuana decriminalization law took effect, the Metropolitan Police Department has written 27 civil citations for violations, multiple outlets reported last week. But just about as many arrests have been made for marijuana-related crimes not affected by the new law.
The law, which says that anyone caught with possession of an ounce or less of marijuana will receive a $25 fine, was passed as a way to reduce the amount of marijuana-related arrests in D.C. The staggering statistics show a huge racial disparity in marijuana-related arrests in D.C., with persons of color accounting for more than 90 percent of all arrests.
According to data from the MPD, between July 17 and July 31, 26 people have been arrested for marijuana-related crimes that don’t fall under the new decriminalization law. While the original bill, proposed by Councilmember Tommy Wells, included a measure that would decriminalize the consumption of marijuana in public—punishable by a $100 fine—it was ultimately scrubbed after some back-and-forth between Councilmembers. As a result, 14 people have been arrested for marijuana consumption since the law went into effect. Additionally, only one person has been arrested for possession of amounts greater than an ounce, while three have been arrested for possession with intent to distribute, and eight have been arrested for distribution.
While many marijuana activists have praised D.C. lawmakers for passing this law, many also think that the law doesn’t do enough to help with the staggering statistics. Speaking with DCist last month, Seema Sadanandan, program director for the ACLU of the Nation’s Capital, said that the focus needs to be on police reform. “Hopefully we’ve advanced the conversation about good cops and bad cops, and we’re talking about police reform,” she said.
Additionally, the D.C. Cannabis Campaign launched a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in the District. The group turned in more than 57,000 signatures—more than twice the amount needed to get on the ballot for the November general election—last month and they expect the D.C. Board of Elections to announce this week if their initiative will indeed be on the ballot.
Still, not everyone is on board with marijuana reform in D.C. Last month, Maryland Rep. Andy Harris introduced an amendment to defund the new law, calling it “bad policy.” Harris, who represents Maryland’s First Congressional District—about two to two-and-half hours outside of D.C., depending on traffic—has received a lot of flak from D.C. residents for trying to meddle in local affairs.
Here’s a chart of the arrests made per District (and a map, for your convenience, is here):
