In November, Washington voters gave green signal to an initiative making it legal to possess and grow marijuana. But the next month, Congress banned the city from coming up with a system through which pot could be lawfully bought, sold and taxed.

This leaves people with just three ways in the District to legally obtain marijuana. Firstly, someone can give marijuana, but donors have to find their own original source. Secondly, residents can grow three plants to maturity at one time. Thirdly, with doctor’s approval, people can get medical-marijuana cards.

Rep. Andy Harris has criticized the city leaders and affirmed that they should have banned possession at the time when he and other lawmakers were making an effort to prevent Washington from coming up with a controlled marketplace.

Harris said the government did not think while choosing the path to move forward to legalize marijuana without legalization.

On the other hand, John Falcicchio, chief of staff for Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), said, “In D.C., it shouldn’t be called the black market. It should be called the Harris market. If there’s any uptick in the black market, it’s thanks to Harris”.

In all this debate and discussions, dealers are not concerned over who is at fault, but do acknowledge the help. In 2013, residents of Colorado faced the same dilemma. They could possess and consume pot, but only for recreational purpose.

Every year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration carries out a survey in which people are asked about whether they have used marijuana in the last month. From 2011-2012 to 2012-2013, the number of adults nationwide who acknowledged use increased by less than half of 1%.