After months of debate, threats and uncertainty, recreational marijuana became legal in Washington, D.C., Thursday -- at least according to the city government.

Adults 21 and over may now legally use marijuana, possess up to two ounces and grow up to six marijuana plants in their homes for personal use. Marijuana sales remain illegal, but the District Council is considering a bill that would regulate and tax marijuana sales, similar to laws in Colorado and Washington state. Because of the city's unique oversight by Congress, it's unclear if any measure legalizing marijuana sales and regulation could go into effect before 2016.

The legalization of marijuana on the federal government's home turf adds to a shift in U.S. marijuana policy that began when Colorado and Washington state allowed recreational marijuana two years ago. Alaska's new recreational marijuana law also took effect this week. Oregon's legalization takes effect later this year.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/26/marijuana-legalization-dc_n_6753554.html

This is actually quite significant, given Congress' Republican control, that the Republicans hate the city of DC and tend (except for their more libertarian wing) to be anti-weed as well. There's going to be a big struggle over this, where Obama could play a role by ignoring enforcement. If it's a city law, then city police aren't going to bust anyone for possession, and if Obama lets the DEA ignore it, federal officers aren't going to bust anyone for possession (although they have bigger fish to fry than possession in the first place, so DEA can still bust growers and distributors).

*Takes a drag*

It's important to separate the more evangelical or authoritarian Republican states with the more libertarian ones. I could easily see this passing in Wyoming, for instance, but it could take 50 years to be legalized in Utah.

The drug dealers might have to get real jobs now or start robbing people. Maybe it'll be easier to rob stoned people, so this might work out good for criminals.