Recreational Cannabis Law in Washington, DC May Go into Force Soon

Congress may be on the verge of removing a critical obstacle that prevented Washington, DC, from implementing the Recreational Marijuana Bill passed years ago.

The grant bill tabled by the Senate Democrats on Monday evening did not include the so-called “Harris Rider” who prevented the District of Columbia from enjoying legal weed, despite the fact that voters there passed a legalization proposal back in 2014.

Written by Maryland Republican Congressman Andy Harris, “The Budget Tab, authored by Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), Prevented DC from commercializing the drug and has been on every household bill since then [it was passed by D.C. voters]”Stated the Washington Post, noting that Congress” has oversight over all DC laws. ”

The grant laws, presented by the chairman of the Senate Grants Committee, Patrick Leahy, were warmly welcomed by advocates of legalization.

Washington, DC Mayoress Muriel Bowser also approved the move.

“The Senate Grants Act is a critical step in recognizing that DC residents in a democracy should be ruled by DC values,” Bowser’s office said in a statement quoted by NBC Washington. “As we continue our journey to DC statehood, I would like to thank the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy, our good friend and Subcommittee Chairman, Senator Chris Van Hollen, and of course our Champion on the Hill, Congressman Eleanor Holmes, thank Norton for recognizing and promoting the will of DC voters. We urge Congress to pass a definitive spending bill that will similarly remove all anti-home rule drivers so that DC can spend our local funds at its own discretion. “

Legal weed in DC has been in the making for seven years

Marijuana activist Adam Eidinger told the broadcaster it was “a seven year struggle to get to this point to remove this driver and the Democrats have been helpful”.

“We have to move forward, and Congress helped us last night – it actually did something for DC last night,” said Eidinger.

The Republicans were less enthusiastic, however. In a statement, Richard Shelby, vice chairman of the Senate Grants Committee, cited driver removal as a source of GOP opposition.

“Chairman Leahy’s decision to unilaterally submit biased expense accounts is a significant step in the wrong direction. This unilateral process has resulted in laws that are beyond the Democrats’ own budgetary resolution and do not take our nation’s defense equally into account. Their bills are full of poison pills and problematic licensing requirements, and they remove important legacy issues such as terrorism, abortion and immigration that have enjoyed widespread support on both sides of the aisle for years, ”said Shelby.

Leahy said the robust legislative package “makes important investments in our country’s infrastructure, our environment and the middle class, including historic increases to promote affordable housing, educate our country’s children, fight climate change and improve health care.”

The Harris Rider’s presence has “created a pot paradox where it’s okay to own but not buy or sell – which in turn allows gray market sellers to reproduce while preventing DC from getting from to benefit from the associated tax revenue by regulating recreational sales, ”said the Washington Post.

Leahy’s move is the latest sign that the Democrats on Capitol Hill are ready to embrace legalization.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said earlier this year that Democrats were eager to pursue such legislation, pointing to changing attitudes towards cannabis as a factor.

“In 2018 I was the first member of the democratic leadership to speak out in favor of ending the federal ban. You’re probably wondering, “Well, what has changed?” Well, my thinking has evolved. When some of the early states – Oregon and Colorado – tried to legalize, all opponents spoke of the Parade of Horrors: crime would rise. Drug use would increase. Anything bad would happen, ”Schumer told Politico. “The legalization of states has worked remarkably well. You were a great success. The Terrible Parade never took place and people were given more freedom. And the people in these states seem very happy. “