Court tells man he can't smoke in his own home

Under Washington D.C.'s new law, anyone can smoke marijuana in their home. But a temporary decision by a Superior Court judge means one man in the District can't light up anything at his home, including pot and cigarettes. Edwin Gray loves a cigarette to relax, but now he's got to smoke them outside.



A temporary order of the court has said that Gray can no longer light up in the Northeast D.C. home that's been owned by his family for 50 years. "We were floored," said Gray's sister, Mozella Johnson. Johnson says she was shocked a lawsuit filed by neighbours who moved in last year could now dictate what the family can do inside its home.



Court filings show the couple that moved in next door has one child and another on the way. They claim they're being harmed by smoke they say sneaks into their home through a hole in the basement. A judge said in the injunction that Johnson, Gray and any guests or family cannot smoke cigarettes, cigars or marijuana in their home, even if it's legal in the city where they live.


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Johnson and her brother are vowing to continue fighting. The couple suing Johnson and Gray declined to comment. Court filings say they tried to work with Johnson and Gray, but had to file suit when mediation attempts failed. In addition to the injunction, their lawsuit asks for $500,000 in damages. The case is ongoing.