The Democrats and Republicans have used D.C. residents' concerns about crime to justify the recent increase in marijuana penalties. No one is more concerned about violent crime than we Libertarian candidates. However, the crime and open-air marijuana markets in D.C. are a symptom of the war on marijuana, not marijuana itself. The black market creates huge financial incentives for individuals selling drugs. Since the black market is unregulated, it is dangerous for those involved and for those who live in communities nearby.
Alcohol is more physically damaging than marijuana, yet it is legal for adults to use.
These problems disappeared when alcohol prohibition was repealed, and they will abate when marijuana prohibition is repealed, too. We will make public safety a top priority by freeing up police resources to pursue dangerous criminals by permitting the legal use of marijuana by adults. D.C. voters are tired of having their voices ignored. We are committed to upholding the will of the people to allow seriously ill people safe access to medical marijuana. The City Council is committed to making these sick people felons and throwing them in prison.