Washington, D.C. Fears Federal Law Will Create Chaos Over Cannabis

After an overwhelming majority of Washington, D.C. residents approved the recreational use of marijuana last year, Congress tried to block the initiative by creating its own law that barred the government from regulating sales of the drug.

However, with the legalization set to come into effect in just a few days, many say Congress’ attempt to keep the city from trading in marijuana could create a very unstable industry.

Regulation In Question

On February 26, D.C. residents will be permitted to smoke and share enough pot for 100 joints, but the methods of obtaining the drug remains a question.

Since current legislation prohibits the government from creating a system that regulates pot sales, many worry that unregulated dispensaries will start to crop up and a lack of consistency will create a state of chaos.

Residents Plan To Move Forward With Legalization

While the drug isn’t likely to be legally sold in the district with the current legislation in place, that hasn’t kept entrepreneurs and enthusiasts from pushing forward with their plans for legalization.

The Washington Post reported that a pot expo is scheduled for February 28, and some enthusiasts are planning a massive giveaway of seeds for home cultivation later in March.

Related Link: 5 Marijuana Stocks Getting Investors High (And 7 Key Post-Legalization Stats)

City Police To Deal With Inconsistency

Also in question is how law enforcement will handle the conflicting information. While the city itself voted to legalize the drug, federal law sates that using marijuana is still a crime.

For now, city officials have kept quiet about the issue, but as the date nears, most expect the police to issue a statement about how the situation will be handled.