DC Medical marijuana advocates lift ban on legal sale amid confusing congressional ban
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District of Columbia Council Chairman Phil Mendelson introduced new emergency legislation to reform the medical marijuana market in the nation’s capital, where cannabis is completely legal. But due to a convoluted bicameral omnibus spending account, the district’s marijuana sale is banned.
The bill, set for a vote on Tuesday, will allow adults 21 and older to self-certify to use medicinal cannabis and will provide a tax exemption for medicinal cannabis products in April.
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“While we wait for Congress to lift its ban on a regulated, legal recreational cannabis market in DC, this legislation gives us an opportunity to make it easier for people in DC to access the medical cannabis they need,” Mendelson said.
The bill is supported by members of the DC Cannabis Trade Association, which works to increase access to cannabis while enhancing social equity and diversity for all DC residents and the many visitors to the nation’s capital.
“As the owner of a dispensary that serves Anacostia’s historic community, it is impossible for legal dispensaries to reach patients when competing with unregulated, untaxed illegal operators,” said Linda Greene, owner of Anacostia Organics and Chair of the DC Cannabis Trade association. “This law helps bring in better regulation for the industry as it continues to grow and evolve, and ensures communities contribute to the businesses that serve them.”
Other supporters of the bill include Grace Hyde, COO, District Cannabis and Secretary, DCCTA; dr Chanda Macias, National Holistic Healing Center owner and CEO, Ilera Holistic and Ismael Vince Canales, past President of the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police.
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“As one of four black-owned pharmacies in DC, this emergency legislation will help us continue to serve these vulnerable patients with safe, tested products from licensed regulated operators,” said Dr. Macias, guest speaker at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital conference April 20-21 in Miami.
Canales added that regulating locations where cannabis can be sold keeps the community safe in more ways than one. “As we continue to see an increase in crime at illegal businesses as their cash only business operates and the increasing prevalence of unregistered firearms in the district, this bill will help stop crime at these businesses throughout our community.” increasing,” Canales said.
The law will go into effect once DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has expressed her support for the law, signs the bill into law.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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