Trump Signs Bill Continuing To Block D.C. From Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Sales
- President Donald Trump signed a large-scale spending bill that includes a rider preventing Washington, D.C. from legalizing recreational cannabis sales.
- Although D.C. voters approved adult-use marijuana legalization over a decade ago, commercial sales remain blocked by a congressional appropriations rider.
- The rider, led by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), restricts the use of federal and D.C. funds to enact laws legalizing or reducing penalties for Schedule I substances like marijuana.
- This prohibition is part of the funding legislation for Financial Services and General Government and was retained in the latest congressional spending package.
As advocates and stakeholders await action on a federal marijuana rescheduling proposal, President Donald Trump has signed large-scale spending legislation that continues a longstanding policy blocking Washington, D.C. from legalizing recreational cannabis sales.
Despite District voters approving adult-use legalization for personal possession and cultivation at the ballot more than a decade ago, local officials have been consistently prevented from allowing commercial sales due to an appropriations rider included in a funding bill covering Financial Services and General Government (FSGG).
That rider, championed by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), was maintained in the latest version approved by Congress and signed by the president on Wednesay as part of a large-scale funding package.
Here’s the text of the D.C. sales rider:
“SEC. 809. (a) None of the Federal funds contained in this Act may be used to enact or carry out any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) or any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative.
(b) No funds available for obligation or expenditure by the District of Columbia government under any authority may be used to enact any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) or any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative for recreational purposes.”
Read the full article at Marijuana Moment