Initiative 71: The Benefits for D.C. Residents

: The Benefits for D.C. Residents

On November 4, 2014, Washington D.C. residents voted in favor of Initiative 71 – the Marijuana Legalization Initiative. Under this measure, the government’s tight grip on marijuana has loosened, freeing many D.C. residents from an inability to enjoy cannabis.

This has been huge for the residents of D.C. and finally allows us to grow our own plants and move forward from the disparaging war on drugs. Here are some benefits of Initiative 71 that D.C. residents can finally take advantage of.

You Can Grow up to Six Plants

Under the new law, adults 21 and older can cultivate up to six marijuana plants, with three being mature, in their residences. This is a great way to save cash if you enjoy smoking marijuana recreationally, as buying from a dispensary can get expensive. It also ensures you can always have a supply on hand and don’t have to worry about running out.

Not only that, but with the freedom to grow our marijuana, we can finally start to create our own strains and experiment with different cultivation methods. This has been illegal in the past and not available to D.C. residents.

Initiative 71 is especially beneficial for those using marijuana for therapeutic purposes. They can now grow their supply and not worry about finding a particular strain or having to leave their home.

You Can Possess up to Two Ounces

Another benefit of Initiative 71 is that it allows adults to share marijuana with other adults. Before, this could result in hefty fines and even jail time, leaving cannabis enthusiasts frequently paranoid and misunderstood.

Now, adults can freely share marijuana with other adults if they are not selling it.

An Emerging Gifting Community

Although Initiative 71 has provided several benefits, it still does not allow for the sale of marijuana. As a result, to exchange marijuana, dispensaries and other businesses have emerged that operate as “gifting communities.” Several companies also work using a donation-based system.

These businesses allow adults to exchange marijuana as a gift for purchasing other goods and
services without the exchange considered a sale. Although this may seem confusing, this
loophole enables us to enjoy marijuana without breaking the law.
With this gray area comes some rules, however. First, you should never sell the marijuana you
grow from your plants, as this is still technically illegal.
When visiting a dispensary, always stay courteous and don’t ask to purchase marijuana. Doing
so can result in the store getting in trouble. For years, police have tried to shut down
dispensaries that operate on donations or use gifting to exchange marijuana, but they are still
open as of now.

Final Thoughts

Initiative 71 has provided many benefits for D.C. residents and has finally allowed us to enjoy
marijuana without fear of breaking the law. With the ability to grow our own plants and share
marijuana with other adults, we can finally start to experience all that cannabis offers.
However, we still need to be careful and mindful of the rules, as breaking them can still result in
penalties. But all in all, Initiative 71 has been a significant step forward in legalizing marijuana.