Washington DC legalises ganja in defiance of congress
(CNS): Following in the footsteps of Alaska, Colorado and Washington state, Washington DC has legalized the possession of small amounts of ganja, despite warnings from Congress. Under the noses of the country’s politicians, the district has defied federal legislators and gone with voice of the people. As of midnight on Thursday, those who use the drug in private no longer face prosecution. Residents and visitors over the age of 21 can now possess as much as 2oz and can grow three plants at home.
The move reflects a sea-change around the world towards the use of ganja, which is moving faster than lawmakers can keep up. While US federal legislators still consider ganja a dangerous drug, almost 30 states allow its medicinal use.
In our own region, while Jamaica is gearing up to become a major legal producer of the drug, young Caymanians are still being prosecuted for consumption and legislators are burying their heads about changing attitudes.
The change in Washington has placed the city’s boss in conflict with Congress. After the legalisation was overwhelmingly supported in a referendum last November, Mayor Muriel Bowser went with the voters, despite warnings from legislators that, as a federal district rather than a state, Washington DC is required to seek congressional approval for most of its legislation.
Two members of Congress warned Bowser that she would be breaking US law by proceeding because the national budget bill passed in December prevents the legalisation of marijuana in Washington DC.
But Bowser believes the legalisation allowing ganja use and possession in private is valid because it was approved by voters before Congress passed the budget bill. Acknowledging the disagreement after Congress members threatened that she could go to jail, Bowser told the US media that there were reasonable ways to resolve the issue without threats. As well as threatening to throw the mayor and others in prison, Congress has also threatened to pull funding but the mayor has pressed ahead.
“Bullying the District of Columbia is not what his constituents expect, nor do ours,” Bowser said.
By implementing the initiative, the mayor said she was simply doing her job by responding to the wishes of the people. “We would encourage the Congress to not be so concerned about overturning what seven out of 10 voters said should be the law in the District of Columbia,” she said.
Category: USA, World News
Legalize this in cayman and see the indigenous Caymanians waste away. If that’s what the public wants then go ahead. This will further create a divide between the haves and have nots. Alcohol can be social and can cause a problem. Lots of ppl go to AA. Marijuana ‘relaxes’ and will kill the little ambition these young men may have left. The society has deteriorated with the poor education standards and the entitled mentality. Now legalize this. Ok let’s be the Amsterdam of the Caribbeam. Let legalize it all and have drug parks. “Everyone does it anyway”
Larger communities are able to do facilitate and do things smaller communities can’t handle. If you want to do this and live like that then it is obviously more appealing over there. I would hate to see this small community kill itself into a wasteland.
Just more nonsense from the uninformed. Your comment provides no value.
The leadership isn’t too concerned
as long as they can still get away with it.
Wow after looking at the comments on these drug stories it is clear only the degenerate section is even bothering to read them and then agreeing with themselves through thumbs up. Why even try to make sense to these nutjobs?
US politicians may finally start making sense…and perhaps even agreeing with each other…long overdue..
I figure this following scenario is going to happen. An incoming tourist with a valid prescription for marihana lands at the airport. Drug dog smells marihana. We arrest a 70 year old person with glaucoma or MS or maybe both. We hall them to court and we make utter fools of ourselves and justice system in front of the world.
Or person is choosing a vacation between Ritz Carlton Jamaica or Cayman. Person investigates marihana laws and decides said person does not want to risk a felony arrest and conviction if the want to smoke a joint.
Both scenarios we lose.
Decriminalization of consumption and possession at a minimum and if you want to reduce drug trafficking allow cultivation for personal use.
Let’s see just how far behind Cayman lawmakers will be on even “talking” about this subject? Prohibition does not work….period! Decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana for personal use is long overdue. Treat it like alcohol and cigarettes (tax it) and let’s stop the waste of money and other resources currently used to make criminals of our fellow man.
when is cayman airways doing direct flights?
a tiny tiny amount is very good for the body system moreso on the libido side of things. It’s a natural booster.
HA HA HA HA HA, Yea RIGHT. And the Smoke these degenerates are blowing up peoples behInds is good for the LUNGS too. GET REAL!!!!!
Keep laughing XXXX! What the person commented above is completely correct. You have just shown how clearly ignorant you are and yet you think you’re intelligent enough to respond on this topic?!
Some people are just so uneducated and ignorant that it amazes me!
ok Cayman your turn to jump on the wagon now!