Being the capital of the United States and its abundance of historical, cultural, and political points of interest, Washington, D.C. is largely known for its tourist economy. Numerous cultural and historically significant monuments, including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Smithsonian museums, the Lincoln Memorial, and others, draw millions of people to the city every year.
Washington, D.C. has become somewhat well-known for its cannabis regulations and the accessibility of illicit cannabis, particularly after it was made legal for recreational use. Due to its popularity and new-found legal status, the tourism industry is gradually becoming the second-best blooming industry in Washington DC. The two might as well complement each other.
Is marijuana legal in Washington DC?
You got that right! it is permitted for anybody over the age of 21 to carry up to an ounce of marijuana with them in public. Additionally, it is legal to give gifts of up to one ounce of cannabis flower or an equivalent amount of extracts and edibles. However, Washington, D.C. continues to ban the selling of recreational marijuana. Instead, the law allows for gifting. Therefore, buyers may purchase gifting items such as t-shirts, face masks, etc. Because marijuana use is illegal on the federal level, marijuana cannot be used in all regions of Washington, D.C., which is a part of the federal government's domain.
What about medical marijuana?
Yes. In 1998, voters in DC approved a state-run medicinal marijuana program. But three years after DC County enacted the Legalization of Marijuana for medicinal Treatment Amendment Act, the first medicinal dispensaries finally opened their doors in 2013.
The recently passed law cleared the stage for a retail sales system while clarifying the guidelines established by the 1998 legislation. Patients who use medical marijuana are allowed to have two ounces of flower. They can lawfully purchase their medication from state-approved marijuana shops, unlike those who use it for recreation. Cards for medicinal marijuana from other states are approved in Washington, DC. Anytime you visit DC, you may use your card at dispensaries there.
What exactly is weed good for?
People use cannabis for a variety of causes. The two most common reasons for smoking marijuana in the US, according to research on the subject, are for recreational purposes and medicinal purposes. These motives frequently cross paths with one another. Simply having fun is the major justification for using it recreationally. We feel amazing after a cannabis smoke! Food looks and tastes better, everything is more hilarious, and even boring tasks seem more enjoyable and rewarding. You don't think so? Try cleaning the house or folding the clothes when stoned vs sober.
Weed isn't only for fun; it also makes a lot of individuals feel better physiologically. Numerous research on cannabis and cannabinoids have demonstrated that cannabis use may aid in curing a variety of chronic health issues, including Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, depression, sleeplessness, and even severe forms of epilepsy like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Both of these very uncommon and fatal illnesses, which affect young children, can cause up to hundreds of crippling seizures each day.
It is unpleasant to deal with anxiety and panic attacks. Imagine going about your day and then being abruptly overcome with excruciating anxiety. You can hardly breathe and are unable to do anything. It could feel like living in hell. Some people use marijuana every day primarily as a means of preventing panic attacks. The blood vessels are loosened by the cannabis, which also relaxes them and lowers anxiety. Marijuana use is advantageous for one's mental and emotional health in this way.
It's crucial to remember that outcomes might change based on the type of marijuana a user may smoke. Instead of the more energetic sativa, you might want to try an indica because it can have the opposite impact.
What is the major difference between medical and recreational marijuana?
Under the supervision of a healthcare professional, medicinal marijuana is primarily used to treat a variety of illnesses and symptoms. Patients often need to fulfill certain requirements, such as having a qualifying medical condition, and get a medical card or prescription in order to use medicinal marijuana. Medical marijuana's legal status varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but in those where it is, it is subject to laws that control the supply, production, and usage.
Contrarily, marijuana taken recreationally is consumed for pleasure, entertainment, or other non-medical reasons. Location also affects the legal status of marijuana, with some areas permitting adult usage for those who are 21 years old or older but maintaining prohibition or decriminalization without complete legalization.
What happens when you are found carrying more than the permitted limit?
In Washington, DC, it is legal to have up to 2 ounces of marijuana in your possession and to grow up to 6 plants. A felony for possessing over two grams is punished by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 potential fine. While smoking marijuana in public may result in a penalty, you won't be detained for it.
How to purchase weed online in DC?
In Washington, DC, it is permissible to purchase marijuana online for delivery. Although it is illegal to sell marijuana for recreational purposes, you may give up to an ounce of it to an adult friend.
The Bottom Line
Using marijuana (cannabis) while in Washington, D.C. is a personal decision that is based on your choices and interests. Some tourists choose to consume cannabis recreationally in an effort to unwind and have a distinctive cultural experience when visiting a location where it is legal. Others could use it to treat their medical conditions or to manage chronic pain by utilizing the medicinal marijuana program in D.C. Whether using cannabis for research, social interaction, or leisure, it's important to use it sensibly, follow local laws, and be mindful of any potential negative consequences, such as impairment. In the end, your choice should reflect your level of familiarity and respect for the D.C. judicial system.
