DC Scaling Back Marijuana Arrests: Report

WASHINGTON, DC -- Good news for marijuana enthusiasts in D.C.: the city intends to dial back punishments for those caught smoking pot in public, according to a report.

The Associated Press reports that people will no longer be arrested for smoking marijuana in public in D.C., and instead will be given a citation.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham announced the new policy on Friday and stated that it was effective immediately. Police already had the option to avoid making an arrest, but this new policy would require them to only issue a citation.

D.C. is making the move to better allocate law enforcement resources, AP reports.

The citation carries a $25 fine, and violators must visit a police station for booking within 15 days.

The policy change doesn't apply to minors, those with outstanding warrants, or those who police believe won't answer the citation, according to the report.

Earlier this summer, police seized multiple pounds of marijuana and THC from 28 vendors in D.C. as well as $10,000. They also recovered three firearms.

While possessing weed is legal, that is only if it is two ounces or less and if you're at least 21 years old. Also, selling marijuana is illegal, and only one ounce or less may be transferred at a time. You also are not allowed to consume marijuana in any form in public.

Some businesses reportedly have been trying to find ways around this by "giving away" marijuana after a customer buys a small item. However, police had been cracking down on this practice.

Voters approved legalizing marijuana in November 2014, and the law became effective in February 2015.

The law makes it legal for a person who is at least 21 years old to:

• Possess two ounces or less of marijuana;
• Transfer one ounce or less of marijuana to another person who is at least 21 years old, so long as there is no payment made or any other type of exchange of goods or services;
• Cultivate within their residence up to six marijuana plants, no more than three of which are mature;
• Possess marijuana-related drug paraphernalia – such as bongs, cigarette rolling papers, and cigar wrappers – that is associated with one ounce or less of marijuana; or
• Use marijuana on private property.

However, the following remain criminal violations:

• Selling any amount of marijuana to another person;
• Possessing more than two ounces of marijuana;
• Operating a vehicle or boat under the influence of marijuana; or
• Smoking, eating, or drinking marijuana – or holding or carrying a lighted roll of paper or other lighted smoking equipment filled with marijuana – in any public space, such as:
  • On any street, sidewalk, alley, park, or parking area;
  • In a vehicle on any street, alley, park, or parking area; or
  • Any place to which the public is invited.

(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)