A key Senate committee has passed legislation that would continue to prohibit Washington D.C. from allowing recreational marijuana sales.
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to approve the 2025 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Act. The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 27 to 0, includes a provision that prevents D.C. from implementing a 2014 law that legalized recreational marijuana within the district, including licensed retail outlets. Although the portion of the law allowing marijuana to be possessed is currently in effect, the US Congress has prevented the opening of marijuana stores for a decade.
The provision states:
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.
The FSGG will now move towards a vote of the full Senate.
