Arrests in DC parks spark debate over public drinking and drug use
- barneyelias0
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
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July 28, 2025
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WASHINGTON (7News) — A series of arrests in two of D.C.’s most iconic neighborhoods has triggered frustration—and in some cases, confusion—about how marijuana laws are enforced on federal land within the city.
Four people were arrested last Tuesday in Dupont Circle and Logan Circle, both federally managed parks overseen by the National Park Service (NPS).
According to the U.S. Park Police (USPP), the arrests involved open containers of alcohol and the public consumption of marijuana.
Social media quickly lit up with outrage after TikTok user “MaiFlower” posted a video from Dupont Circle, showing officers exiting an unmarked sedan and placing a man in handcuffs for allegedly smoking marijuana.
In total, three people were arrested for possessing open alcohol containers, and one person was arrested for smoking marijuana in public — a violation of federal law, even in a city where marijuana possession is legal.
D.C. resident Q Chaghtai witnessed one of the arrests and began recording on his phone.
“And then all of a sudden they came up behind this guy who was sitting in the circle. His back was towards them, and they began to search his items. As they searched him, everyone started paying attention at what was going on because it was so jarring. And then they put him in handcuffs,” Chaghtai said.
In Washington, D.C.:
Possession of marijuana (up to 2 oz) is legal for adults 21 and older.
Use of marijuana in public spaces is still illegal, in the city and federally maintained areas like Dupont and Logan Circles inside city limits.
These parks, while located in the heart of D.C., fall under federal jurisdiction, meaning federal law overrides local regulations there.
In 2023, there were 351 marijuana-related arrests across the District.
296 were for possession.
55 were for illegal sales.
Data breaking down how many of those were for public consumption alone was not immediately available.
Separately, the U.S. Park Police report that since March 2025, they’ve made 468 arrests across the Washington Metropolitan Area — including D.C., Maryland, and Virginia — under enforcement of Executive Order 14252, signed by President Donald Trump. The order tasks the federal police with keeping the capital “safe and beautiful” through proactive patrols.
“Increased police presence is not necessarily a negative thing. But I think when you are targeting citizens that are really minding their own business and kind of just sitting there, I think that’s really alarming,” added Chaghtai.
The arrests have triggered debate across the city. While some question the potential for over-policing in otherwise peaceful community spaces, many residents support stricter law enforcement, including rules against drinking and drug use in public spaces.
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