Marijuana in DC

What you need to know

  • Initiative 71 does not legalize marijuana sales.
  • Possession of any amount of marijuana on federal land, like the National Mall, is still a criminal charge and can result in arrest and prosecution.
  • Marijuana remains a prohibited substance on and off campus for all CUA students.

Initiative 71: The Facts

An individual 21 years of age or older will be able to lawfully:

  • Possess two ounces or less of marijuana;
  • Use marijuana on private property;
  • Transfer one ounce or less of marijuana to another person, as long as:
    • no money, goods or services are exchanged; and
    • the recipient is 21 years of age or older;
  • Cultivate within his or her primary residence up to six marijuana plants, no more than three of which are mature.

However, even with the enactment of Initiative 71, it remains a crime for anyone to:

  • Possess more than two ounces of marijuana;
  • Smoke or otherwise consume marijuana on public space or anywhere to which the public is invited; including restaurants, bars, and coffee shops;
  • Sell any amount of marijuana to another person; or
  • Operate a vehicle or boat under the influence of marijuana.

Anyone under 21 years of age is still prohibited from possessing any marijuana.

For more information about marijuana in D.C, visit: mpdc.dc.gov/marijuana