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Who can possess and use marijuana in Washington, DC?
People 21 or older? YES
People under 21? NO
What happens to someone under 21 caught with marijuana by DC police?
It depends on how much of the drug they have on them.
If they have 2 ounces or more, they can be arrested.
If they have less than 2 ounces, the marijuana will be seized, but the individual will not be arrested or ticketed.
Does that mean that anyone 21 and over can do whatever they want with marijuana?
Not quite. In Washington, DC, people 21 or older can:
Possess 2 ounces or less of marijuana
Give 1 ounce or less of marijuana to someone else who is 21 or older, as long as it is a free gift, with no payment of any kind
Possess bongs, rolling papers, and other marijuana paraphernalia that allow for the use of 1 ounce or less of marijuana
Use (smoke, ingest, consume, etc.) marijuana while on private property
So, what CAN’T people 21 or older do in Washington, DC? In Washington, DC, it is still illegal to:
Possess more than 2 ounces of marijuana
Sell marijuana to another person
Drive a vehicle or boat while under the influence of marijuana
Use (smoke, ingest, consume, etc.) marijuana in public spaces
Federal Laws
So, marijuana is legal in DC. However, as mentioned earlier, it is still illegal under federal law.
That means a federal law enforcement officer can arrest anyone for possession or use of marijuana, regardless of:
How old they are
Where they are possessing or using marijuana
How much marijuana they have in their possession
Whether the marijuana is for recreational or medical purposes.
Let’s take a look at the three biggest colleges in DC to see what their policies regarding marijuana are.
- George Washington University
Drug use and possession, including marijuana, is not allowed for any George Washington University students. Any student who uses marijuana will face disciplinary action.
- Georgetown University
Both medical and recreational marijuana use and possession is forbidden by the code of conduct.
- American University
The American University student conduct code does not allow unauthorized use or possession of marijuana by students. No marijuana (medical included) is allowed on university property, including residence halls.
Contact DC Student Defense if you’re facing penalties for marijuana
While marijuana is legal to use and possess in DC for people 21 or over, colleges and universities in the DC area are free to make their own policies regarding the use and possession of the drug. If you are facing penalties because of their marijuana use, you need an attorney with experience defending students to be in your corner.
(source: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/washington-dc-marijuana-laws-and-your-9357256/)