The Biden-Harris administration recently submitted its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 to Congress, and it includes a provision that will prevent Washington, D.C. from legalizing recreational cannabis sales. This decision has sparked controversy and raised questions about the administration’s stance on cannabis reform.
Washington, D.C. has been unable to implement a legal recreational cannabis sales program due to a provision that prohibits the use of local tax dollars for this purpose, despite the fact that DC voters approved cannabis legalization in 2014. President Joe Biden has once again decided to exclude the nation’s capital from legalizing recreational cannabis sales, despite recent statements emphasizing that no one should be incarcerated for possessing cannabis.
In a letter to DEA administrator Anne Milgram, the Department of Health and Human Services recommended moving marijuana from Schedule I to a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This recommendation, however, does not align with the budget proposal that Congress is set to review, which still includes an appropriations rider preventing Justice Department interference in state- and territory-level medical marijuana programs.
In the absence of a regulatory framework for marijuana sales, unlicensed shops that “gift” cannabis continue to operate in Washington, D.C. To address this issue, the D.C. Council recently approved an emergency measure that gives city officials the authority to impose penalties on these unlicensed shops. Under the Medical Cannabis Enforcement Emergency Amendment Act of 2024, cannabis businesses that do not comply with the city’s medical cannabis program could face civil enforcement.
Despite the challenges and setbacks faced by the cannabis industry in Washington, D.C., there is still hope for progress. The upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Florida, scheduled for April 16 and 17, 2024, will provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to network, learn, and grow in the ever-evolving cannabis market. This conference is known for its influence on the future of cannabis and is a must-attend event for anyone in the industry.
As the debate over cannabis reform continues, it is clear that Washington, D.C. is at a crossroads in its journey towards legalization. The decisions made by the Biden-Harris administration and Congress will have a significant impact on the future of cannabis in the nation’s capital and beyond.
