2 GOP congressmen warn DC mayor not to legalize marijuana

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two leading House Republicans are warning Washington's mayor not to move forward with marijuana legalization and have launched an investigation into whether the city has already violated federal law by preparing to implement a voter-approved initiative.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican, wrote to District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser late Tuesday after the mayor announced that recreational pot would be legal in the District starting this week. Chaffetz chairs the House Oversight Committee, which has authority over District government.

District voters approved an initiative in November that legalizes possession of up to 2 ounces of pot and up to three mature plants for use in the home. Congress approved language in December that appeared to block the initiative, but District leaders argued they could still legalize pot because the initiative was enacted before Congress took action.

Chaffetz said that interpretation is wrong and that Congress clearly banned the District from any further liberalization of its marijuana laws. Legalization is scheduled to take effect Thursday at 12:01 a.m.

In an interview today, Chaffetz said the mayor and other District employees would face possible prison time by moving forward.

"The penalties are severe, and we're serious about this. Nobody's wishing or wanting that to happen, but the law is clear," he said.