LIFE
WORDS BY TRENT JOHNSON | ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES COREAS
In 2014, D.C. local voters rallied together to pass the now-famed, oft-cited Initiative 71. The bill represented a giant step toward fully legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in the District, legislation that would reduce crime and help the plant become less stigmatized. But without statehood, the bill can only do so much for residents, despite their explicit and clear desires regarding the leafy, green plant. “All of the benefits of legalizing are not able to be actualized,” says Queen Adesuyi, a policy manager at Drug Policy Alliance’s Office of National Affairs. “All of D.C. is enthusiastic about this, they have everything they need to roll out a plan, but Congress is blocking it. It’s still a problem.” Adesuyi deals with marijuana legalization on a national and local level, and says the federal government often causes interference, preventing an environment like California and Colorado. However, residents voted for what they believed in and there are still laws on the books that protect businesses, medicinal dispensaries and individuals. D.C. also houses a vocal activist scene with regards to cannabis because of its proximity to the powers that be. The culture surrounding cannabis in the District isn’t dissipating or easing back, but rather heats up and as Congress considers the idea of decriminalizing marijuana on a larger scale, D.C. is more than ready to take advantage in all sectors.
A BOOMING BUSINESS As of now, the law allows D.C. residents 21 and older to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana, which they can consume on private property. The transfer of up to 1 ounce of marijuana is also allowed, as long as no money, goods or services are exchanged, according to the mayor’s office. Following Initiative 71 going into effect in February 2015, a number of businesses began to sprout up in the District. One was lifestyle brand Pink Fox, which opened its doors for business shortly after the bill passed. The company primarily
sells products such as T-shirts, backpacks and other accessories. “Supreme built their company off skateboarders, the aggressive street movement. Kate Spade built their company off the upper west side and a particular look,” says co-founder Mark Nagib about the inspiration. “Not every college grad wants to wear a big stoner shirt to their class and grandmothers don’t want to do that either. Bridging that gap became our goal.” Those kinds of “big stoner” shirts aren’t exactly a prominent feature to D.C.’s scene as a whole, given the city’s proximity to the federal government’s policy makers. Big Brother’s presence notwithstanding, the folks at Pink Fox are able to give minimal DISTRICT FRAY | 49
