D.C. should tap reserves to regulate pot trade

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As the May 18 front-page article “Legal pot in the District is a boon for illegal dealers” reported, D.C. voters’ determination to legalize marijuana possession through Initiative 71 is having significant unintended consequences. Because residents can legally use and possess marijuana but can’t legally buy it, the illegal drug trade has increased and the city is missing out on the tax revenue it would receive if the sales were regulated.

These consequences apparently are acceptable to Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), the chief proponent of the prohibition on using federal appropriations to establish the needed regulatory system for marijuana sales in the District. But this is the exact opposite of what D.C. voters and their elected officials intended.

Fortunately, D.C. officials have the means to fix the problem and effectuate voters’ intent. Because the congressional prohibition applies only to the use of the District’s current fiscal year appropriation, the District could use...

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URL: 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dc-should-tap-reserves-to-regulate-pot-trade/2015/05/20/a4179d96-fda9-11e4-8c77-bf274685e1df_story.html