Morning Roundup: Gone to Pot Edition

Posted by Tom in DC Life on 06 29th, 2009 | no responses

Photo by JLK1979 & Mr. Johnson Good morning, Washington. Metro put the Red Line back in full service this morning , with trains traveling between the Fort Totten and Takoma stations in both directions for the first time since last week’s fatal crash. Things aren’t totally back to normal, of course. Peak trains are only operating every 12 minutes, for one, leaving rush hour trains packed to the limit. All Red Line trains are also restricted to a maximum speed of 35 mph, and even slower through the crash site area. Older Model Rail Cars Still Leading Trains: In related news, WJLA points out that there are still plenty of 1,000-series rail cars leading trains all over the system. Metro’s plan to move all the older cars to the middle of trains will take some more time. Make sure to let us know how your Red Line commute goes this week. House Clears Way for D.C. Pot Decriminalization: The House Financial Services panel, which is responsible for oversight of the District, has recently removed a lot of

language from the D.C. budget that had for years prevented the city from spending money on certain kinds of “controversial” social issues (like needle-exchange programs, for example). Another one of those areas, writes Michael Neibauer in the Examiner , is the ability to spend money to legalize marijuana or reduce penalties for its possession or distribution, meaning the city is now free to pursue a ballot measure on medical marijuana. The last time the District voted on medical marijuana, 69 percent of voters approved the measure, but the votes were declared invalid thanks to the efforts of former Rep. Bob Barr. Briefly Noted: VRE fares go up today … Standoff at Wheaton apartment ends when police find no occupant … Child and Family Services back in court … Big day in court Tuesday: Harriette Walters will be sentenced and James von Brunn will be arraigned . This Day in DCist: In 2007, the first iPhone was sold in the D.C. area (and around the world).