The D.C. city council Judiciary Committee voted against tabling a bill aiming to permanently ban social cannabis use in the District.
On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee saw a majority vote to table the bill so the lawmakers would have more time to consider amendments – until the Chairman of the Full Committee, Phil Mendelson (D) voted ‘yes’ on the measure.
Now the bill will be passed onto a second reading at another meeting as it makes its way closer and closer to becoming a permanent ban.
The bill in question, B21-0701, the “Marijuana Decriminalization Possession Clarification Amendment Act of 2016” was originally drafted to clarify hat constitutes a ‘public space’ and whether cannabis can be used in that space.
Had @ChmnMendelson not used his ex officio powers as Council Chairman the vote would have been 3-2 to #TableTheVote pic.twitter.com/f0u17pypEK
— DCMJ (@DCMJ2014) January 27, 2016
Pro-cannabis activists like the DCMJ organization were not happy with the vote.
.@ChmnMendelson singlehandedly killed our effort to #TableTheBan ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— DCMJ (@DCMJ2014) January 27, 2016
Chairman of the Judiciary, Kenyan McDuffie (D – Ward 5) expressed his concerns over the lack of framework in the ‘public space’ gray area and voted to table the bill so they would have more time to create a regulatory framework.
Councilmember Jack Evans (D – Ward 2) was in agreement and added that the power Congress has over the District makes it more important for the council to have time to create a framework because “what we approve is the new standard.”
.@JackEvansWard2 attempted to table permanent marijuana social use ban for "time to modify." No dice. W/@ChmnMendelson vote, measure failed.
— Tina Reed (@WBJHealth) January 27, 2016
DCMJ activist Adam Eidinger approved of Evans’ remarks.
Good point @JackEvansWard2 that making this permanent only ties our hands with Congress.
— Adam Eidinger (@aeidinger) January 27, 2016
Cannabis enthusiasts like DCMJ say they want to work on the cannabis laws but banning actions are not the way to go.
We want smart cannabis laws. Bans are mindless. @chinamanblue @CM_McDuffie @JackEvansWard2 @marycheh @LaRubyMay @AnitaBondsDC @MayorBowser
— DCMJ (@DCMJ2014) January 27, 2016
#FYI To #TableTheBan means the Judiciary Cmte members vote to postpone their final Markup vote on the #SocialUseBan until after April 13.
— DCMJ (@DCMJ2014) January 27, 2016
With the approval of the city’s Judiciary Committee, B21-0701, the “Marijuana Decriminalization Possession Clarification Amendment Act of 2016” will be scheduled for a second reading at another legislative meeting in the future.
Chloe Sommers is the Executive Editor of the Never Daunted Radio Network. You can reach her on Twitter @ChloePalma