Washington D.C. legalized recreational marijuana years ago, but the federal government has refused to allow it to take effect. A key House committee is now set to consider allowing such sales, while also making a change to federal drug testing laws.
The House Rules Committee will soon consider the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill, and lawmakers recently filed amendments to the measure that would prevent applicants from being drug tested for marijuana when applying for most federal jobs.
The committee will also be considering a newly-filed amendment that would explicitly allow Washington D.C. – the nation’s capital – to open recreational marijuana stores usable by everyone 21 and older. Currently D.C. is allowed medical marijuana dispensaries, but not recreational retail outlets.
The amendment seeking to end federal marijuana testing for applicants was filed by California Representative Robert Garcia (D), who has filed the amendment in the past, attached to other spending bills.
The amendment to allow D.C. marijuana sales was filed by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D), Barbara Lee (D) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D). The move would finally allow the capital to implement a law it passed nearly a decade ago in 2014.
The House Rules Committee has not yet scheduled a hearing on the FSGG appropriations bill, but it’s expected to soon.
