Washington D.C. Council Votes to Allow Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

The D.C. Council has approved a measure that would allow medical marijuana users from other jurisdictions to use their out-of-state registration cards to buy medical cannabis in the District.

The bill, which received unanimous support from the D.C. Council on Tuesday, will make it easier for patients visiting the nation’s capital to get the medicine they need.

“Reciprocity can actually help reduce transfer of marijuana across state lines as patients are not forced to bring medical marijuana obtained in their home states with them when they travel,” said Kaitlyn Boecker, policy coordinator with the Drug Policy Alliance in Washington D.C.

“By allowing patients to purchase their medicine in the District, patients will no longer have to worry about violating federal law by transferring marijuana across state lines,” she explained.

This Medical Marijuana Reciprocity Amendment, introduced last year, also eliminates the cap on the number of plants cultivators can grow and allows MMJ cultivation centers to expand onto adjacent property with community notice.

Passing the amendment, some advocates believe, will send a signal that Washington D.C. will continue to move forward on legal reform, despite the relentless opposition in the U.S. Congress.

“Allowing qualified medical marijuana patients from other jurisdictions not only benefits the individual patient’s health while they are away from home, but also shines a positive light on the welcoming nature of our capital city,” said Robert Cappechi of the Marijuana Policy Project, reported the Washington Times.

Washington D.C. is among a growing number of jurisdictions in the United States that are simply ignoring federal prohibition. As of this coming November 8, we’re hoping the list will grow.

“The lesson here is pretty straightforward. When enough people say ‘no’ to the federal government and enough states pass laws backing those people up, there’s not much the feds can do to shove their so-called laws, regulations or mandates down our throats,” writes Michael Boldin, executive director of the Tenth Amendment Center.

However, not all reciprocity is created equal. It’s always wise to check before you travel to another state.