Marijuana continues to be a prominent topic in today's society. We are torn between two groups: people who believe it should be legalized and people who believe it should not be a feature in today's society. Regardless of the differing views on both sides of the political spectrum, people will continue to do what as they wish.
A Washington D.C council voted to ease marijuana laws on Tuesday, according to CNN journalist, Dan Merica. The council voted almost unanimously for lessening marijuana related drug laws. Areas voted upon at the council meeting were lessening the penalty for those caught consuming marijuana and to decriminalize people found with small quantities of marijuana in their possession.
"The approved legislation moves the possession of an ounce or less or marijuana from a criminal offense – which came with six months in jail or a $1,000 fine – to a civil offense that comes with a fine of $25," said Merica."
The new legislation also lessens the public consumption of marijuana to a misdemeanor offense. This bill significantly lows the penalty of pot smoking in public from a $1,000 fine or six months in jail to $500 fine or 60 days in jail.
In addition, public utilization of marijuana would also be parallel to that of alcohol consumption.
The members who passed the bill believe that this will be a positive step in the right direction for members of the African American community who are recorded to be charged with the highest rate of arrests as a result of marijuana use in the D.C. area.
"The bill’s advocates have pointed to a 2013 study by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee that found “nearly nine out of 10 of arrests for possession [of marijuana] involved African American arrestees.” The study argues that African Americans make up far less than 90% of marijuana consumption in D.C and therefore the district’s laws encourage “racial disparities that raise important questions of public policy and civil rights concerns.”
While policymakers believe this will be a solution to much social disparities, others believe it promotes additional American freedoms.
Source: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/04/d-c-council-votes-to-ease-marijuana-laws/
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