LISTEN: Congress’ Move to Block DC Pot Legalization Sparks Protests

Bill Thompson
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — Protestors staged a sit-in on Capitol Hill on Wednesday over Congress' move to cancel marijuana legalization in DC.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO WMAL'S REPORT

A rider attached to the trillion-dollar spending bill would effectively ban the District from legalizing marijuana, even though seven out of 10 voters approved legalization in November.

The vote made it legal for anyone 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, grow up to six plants and share up to an ounce.

The protestors aimed their anger at Senate Democrats, who they say caved to Republican demands to block DC's pot law.

One group led by Kimberly Perry, president of D.C. Vote, camped out at Majority Leader Harry Reid's office until the building closed. Perry said she would be back this morning.

"This isn’t about marijuana, this isn’t about drug policy," Perry said. "This is about local democracy."