DCMarion Barrydc medical marijuanamarijuana legalization

D.C. Marijuana Decriminalization Bill, Led By Marion Barry And Tommy Wells, To Be Introduced As Early As Summer

VOTE: Should D.C. Decriminalize Marijuana?
Open Image Modal
A man smokes a marijuana cigarrette in Montevideo on December 7, 2012. Lawmakers in Uruguay are studying a bill to legalize the cultivation of marijuana and allow limited personal consumption of it -- which if passed, will have authorities controlling its quality and the amount used. With the bill, which is supported by President Jose Mujica, the government wants to end drug-related violent crime which in recent years has emerged for the first time in this sleepy nation sandwiched between Argentina and Brazil. AFP PHOTO/Pablo PORCIUNCULA (Photo credit should read PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON -- The fight to decriminalize marijuana possession in Washington, D.C., just got an unlikely ally: former mayor and current city councilman Marion Barry (D-Ward 8).

Barry and fellow council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) are drafting legislation that would reduce or eliminate criminal penalties for people caught with small amounts of marijuana.

“It’s time we enter the 21st century and stop criminalizing people... for what is not really a major crime," Wells told The Washington Post.

Council chairman Phil Mendelson, however, doesn't believe Congress would approve a pot decriminalization bill in the nation's capital.

The Post reports the bill to decriminalize marijuana in D.C. could be introduced by summer.

Fifteen states have passed laws decriminalizing marijuana and 18 states (including D.C.) permit pot for medicinal use.

Tell us what you think:

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Legal Marijuana Across The U.S.
Alaska(01 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: alana sise
Arizona(02 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: Bill Ward's Brickpile
California(03 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: gerbache
Colorado(04 of22)
Open Image Modal
Also legalized possession by non-medical users.Flickr: dok1
Connecticut(05 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use. (credit:Alamy)
District Of Columbia(06 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: ~MVI~ (off to coron)
Delaware(07 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: Doug Kerr (credit:Doug Kerr)
Hawaii(08 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: Ricymar Fine Art Photography
Illinois(09 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use. (credit:(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster))
Maine(10 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: indywriter
Maryland(11 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use. (credit:Getty Images)
Massachusetts(12 of22)
Open Image Modal
Passed ballot initiative for legalized medical marijuana in 2012. (credit:Alamy)
Michigan(13 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: ckay
Montana(14 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: csbarnhill
Nevada(15 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: http2007
New Hampshire(16 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use. (credit:Getty Images)
New Jersey(17 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: psflannery
New Mexico(18 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: michaelwhitney
Oregon(19 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: digging90650
Rhode Island(20 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use. Also decriminalized possession of less than one ounce. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlthurston/3967126839/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr: thurdl01" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be46df3e4b0564518c3a073" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlthurston/3967126839/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="8">Flickr: thurdl01</a>)
Vermont(21 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use.Flickr: BryanAlexander
Washington(22 of22)
Open Image Modal
Legalized for medical use. Also legalized possession by non-medical users.Flickr: Rose Braverman
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip