Decriminalization Arrives, D.C. Police Prepare for Sea Change in Marijuana Laws

On Wednesday, a D.C. police officer who caught someone carrying a small amount of marijuana was required to launch his suspect on an onerous journey through the criminal justice system — possibly involving handcuffs, fingerprinting and forensic analysis. On Thursday, that same officer faces the simpler task of pulling out a ticket book and checking a box: littering, or possession of marijuana? A lengthy civic debate over how to handle the most minor of drug offenses culminated at midnight Wednesday when a [...]

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