Pubdate: Wed, 12 Mar 2014
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2014 The Washington Times, LLC.
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Author: Andrea Noble
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)

ELECTIONS BOARD GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO POT INITIATIVE

Supporters Still Need 25,000 Signatures to Qualify for Ballot

An initiative that would legalize possession and home cultivation of 
small amounts of marijuana in the District can be included on the 
November ballot, as long as supporters can collect the approximately 
25,000 signatures required for it to qualify.

The D.C. Board of Elections on Tuesday signed off on the measure, 
proposed by the D.C. Cannabis Campaign, as a "proper subject for 
initiative under District of Columbia law." The proposal had faced 
scrutiny from D.C. Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan over whether it 
would violate federal law governing public housing facilities.

Mr. Nathan provided an opinion to the board stating that the 
initiative would ban public housing facilities from stating in lease 
agreements that tenants can be evicted for drug-related criminal activity.

But the D.C. Housing Authority, while noting Mr. Nathan's concern, 
wrote to the board to say that the agency was still in the process of 
determining how it would implement any changes afforded by adoption 
of the initiative.

"The comments offered by the OAG regarding DCHA, while welcomed as 
thoughtful analysis of the issues, do no necessarily control the 
legal position our agency will take on how DCHA interprets the 
initiative," wrote Ken Slaughter, the agency's general counsel.

The initiative would make it legal to possess up to 2 ounces of 
marijuana and to grow up to six marijuana plants in one's home.

"We're really excited that the language was approved," D.C. Cannabis 
Campaign chairman Adam Eidinger said, noting that advocates can't 
quite begin the signature-gathering process yet.

The Board of Elections still has to hold a public meeting to adopt a 
short title and summary statement language that will appear on the 
November ballot.

That hearing must be held within 20 days, but Mr. Eidinger said he's 
hoping it takes place soon because advocates would like to begin 
their efforts before the city's April 1 primary election.

"We want to be out there on primary day gathering signatures," he 
said. "I only have until July 7 to gather these signatures."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom