District of Columbia Approves Medical Marijuana

The District of Columbia Council approved medical marijuana for Washington, D.C.  The vote was 13 to 0.  The measure permits the mayor to set up eight dispensaries where patients can receive up to two ounces of marijuana per month.  Washington, D.C., has been at the forefront of pushing for the legalization of medical marijuana even though it is not available in the district.  In 1998, sixty-nine percent of voters approved a ballot to legalize medical marijuana.  However, Congress barred them from implementing the program.  Public approval of legalizing medical marijuana is very high.  In a recent Associated Press-CNBC poll, roughly two-thirds of those polled supported the legalization of medical marijuana.  

The bill now goes to the mayor for his expected approval.  The measure is then sent to Congress and the White House which have 30 days to approve or block the measure.  The block the measure, both the House and Senate must pass a joint resolution and the President must sign it.

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