D.C. police on Monday were forced to return a man’s stash of marijuana that was confiscated during his arrest, D.C. Council member Yvette Alexander said.
Ms. Alexander, a Democrat, told WAMU public radio that a resident walked into the Sixth District police station on Monday and asked an officer on duty to return his seized property.
“He walked in to recover his property from a recent arrest,” she said. “He walked in and said, ’I want my property back and want to make sure I get my weed back.’ “
Ms. Alexander said the officer was initially confused, but eventually handed back the man’s marijuana.
“They gave him his weed back!” she told the station.
Under the marijuana legalization law that took effect on Thursday, residents 21 and older are allowed to carry up to 2 ounces of marijuana, as well as grow it in their home, the station reported.
Police are still allowed to confiscate marijuana if no proof of age is provided or if an arrest for another offense occurs, but residents are now legally permitted to request that it be returned to them, the station reported.
“A person whose marijuana or marijuana-infused edible goods was seized … may seek the return of their property by visiting the station in the District where the marijuana was seized no sooner than 24 hours after the seizure,” reads a special order that was distributed to all officers last week, the station reported.
Any marijuana that is not claimed within 30 days will be destroyed, the order says.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.