On Nov. 4, voters in D.C. passed legislation that would permit adults over 21 years old to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use and grow up to six cannabis plants within their home. People would also be allowed to transfer up to one ounce of marijuana to another person, although they would be restricted from actually selling it. D.C. voters approved the referendum by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.
According to White House spokesman Josh Earnest, the Obama administration is in support of the referendum legalizing marijuana use, however he will reluctantly sign a government funding bill that includes a provision blocking the measure. The provision, which was injected into the $1.1 trillion spending deal by Republicans in Congress, will prohibit the district from spending money to implement the new policy.
"This administration has been a strong supporter of the District of Columbia getting statehood. We do not believe that Congress should spend a lot of time interfering with the ability of the citizens of the District of Columbia to make decisions related to how they should govern their community," Earnest said, according to ABC News.
Nevertheless, "the president supports the passage of this compromise proposal and would sign it if it arrives on his desk," he added.
The $1.1 trillion spending plan was approved by the House of Representatives during a late vote on Thursday. Now it must be passed by the Senate before it can be signed by the president, reports USA Today.
White House officials announced that Obama will sign the bill because it includes more good provisions than bad ones and can prevent another government shutdown.
Marijuana Plant Legalization News: President Obama in Favor of Legalizing Recreational Use in DC
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