Sometime last week, the DC city council voted upon and agreed to legalize smoking of marijuana at certain rooftop bars and sidewalk cafes, where cigarette smoking is currently permitted, and in private clubs. Shortly after, approximately 30mins, they reverted their decision and added an additional 90 days to the current ban.
Back in 2014 when marijuana was legalized in DC, DC Mayor Muriel Browser asked and got approval to bar marijuana smoking at nightclubs, private clubs and virtually any other businesses licensed by the city. In an effort to prevent Congressional interference with DC affairs, Mayor Muriel Browser urged several council members to change their decision on legalizing public recreational use of marijuana.
To date, the current marijuana law in DC limits its people from smoking publicly, even in places where cigarette smoking is permitted. DC has five licensed medical marijuana dispensaries and allows registered clients to carry up to 2 ounces of marijuana. Home-cultivation is also allowed of up to 6 cannabis plants and currently, at home is the only place for people to smoke in groups. There are no legal recreational marijuana retail outlets yet which greatly affects the consumers.
Mayor Browser may have extended the ban on recreational smoking of pot in public areas, but several council members, who he himself urged to vote against the issue, have hinted that they may be changing their decision again and vote for it instead, when the City Council revisits the issue early next month.