High on the Hill

Seeds for Change

Nearly two months ago the voter in Washington D.C. passed a law that allows adults to possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow plants themselves. They cannot buy it, or sell it, but they can own it. This means that hundreds upon hundreds of people will be raising their joints just near miles away from the Congress and the rest of our nations elected officials.

Even though voters overwhelmingly passed the law, it is still under federal oversight because marijuana is still illegal under federal laws. The new law is being highly debated by both Capitol Hill and the people of the city.  The legalization of marijuana has been hard fought battles; the drug is labeled “in the same category as heroin”. Obviously there is some legal hoops the states and districts have had to jump through, but Washington might be the tightest competitor to date.

The people of Washington D.C and the other states who passed similar laws are arguing the social impact that these laws can help with. Holly Dixon a women in line for marijuana seeds said, “My brothers, my cousins, my friends who are African-American males aren't getting locked up for having a $5 bag of weed. That, to me, means a lot."

The article stated that between 2001 and 2010, 8 million people where arrested for minimal marijuana possession. This equals about 3.6 billion of the taxpayer dollars per year.

The national debate on legal marijuana goes on as more states an districts push for medicinal and recreational marijuana laws are being pushed for.  “Is it high time for a change?”