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The legalization bill is more similar to the one in Washington state than it is to the one in Colorado: It would allow people 21 and older to have two ounces of marijuana for personal use, grow six cannabis plants, and transfer (without payment) up to one ounce of marijuana to another person. It would also legalize the sale of drug paraphernalia, which is a pretty big deal considering that police raided and shut down the city’s most popular head shop two years ago.The tide has been turning in the city, however. After many hangups, the city recently opened several medical marijuana dispensaries, and last month the city council decriminalized pot.The plan, if the measure passes, is to eventually have the city tax marijuana and to allow its existing medical marijuana dispensaries to sell weed to the public, just like they do in Colorado. The way DC law works, however, doesn’t allow ballot measures to create new taxes—a separate measure would have to be passed by the city council. So far, nine of the city’s 13 council members have suggested that they would support a measure to tax and regulate the sale of marijuana.“Right now, the goal is to 100 percent remove the fear people have of being arrested,” Eidinger said. “But, we’re pleased that there are [medical marijuana] dispensaries open. If council decides, they can drop the ‘medical’ part and begin distributing to the public. That’s what they did in Colorado. We have a way to supply the public overnight if we choose to do so.”We are distributing petitions! @YesOn71 is happening! #YesOn71 pic.twitter.com/SwUnRd874a
— DCMJ (@DCMJ2014) April 23, 2014