Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-District of Columbia) defended D.C.’s new marijuana laws to lawmakers Wednesday saying that the drug “is de facto legal for most Americans.”
“The majority language in the appropriation bill said that the district couldn’t enact marijuana laws – the law was enacted,” Norton said on the House floor. “When approved by the voters there was nothing further to be done.”
“Small amounts of marijuana became legal in the district – smoked in private –on Thursday. D.C. has taken no further official action in compliance with the law,” Norton continued. “The most important impetus for passage by residents were two independent studies that show that virtually all of those who now carry marijuana convictions are young African-Americans, that was the last straw for a substance that is de facto legal for most Americans.”
“D.C. passage is neutral on its face - it doesn’t recommend the substance we ought to have the same liberty other Americans already enjoy on this substance,” Norton concluded.
Some lawmakers have claimed the omnibus spending bill that Congress passed in December nullified D.C.’s Initiative 71, which legalized up to two ounces of marijuana for personal possession and allows for its use on private property.
The spending bill included an amendment introduced by Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) that says, "None of the funds contained in this Act 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."
“Pot is de facto legal among young people, except for people of color here and around the country,” Norton says on her website.
“The people of the District of Columbia voted overwhelmingly for Initiative 71 when they learned that virtually only people of color end up with drug arrests for possession of marijuana. It is well worth a fight to retain a local law with racial justice as its centerpiece.”
http://cnsnews.com/blog/eric-scheiner/del-holmes-norton-marijuana-de-facto-legal-most-americans
“The majority language in the appropriation bill said that the district couldn’t enact marijuana laws – the law was enacted,” Norton said on the House floor. “When approved by the voters there was nothing further to be done.”
“Small amounts of marijuana became legal in the district – smoked in private –on Thursday. D.C. has taken no further official action in compliance with the law,” Norton continued. “The most important impetus for passage by residents were two independent studies that show that virtually all of those who now carry marijuana convictions are young African-Americans, that was the last straw for a substance that is de facto legal for most Americans.”
“D.C. passage is neutral on its face - it doesn’t recommend the substance we ought to have the same liberty other Americans already enjoy on this substance,” Norton concluded.
Some lawmakers have claimed the omnibus spending bill that Congress passed in December nullified D.C.’s Initiative 71, which legalized up to two ounces of marijuana for personal possession and allows for its use on private property.
The spending bill included an amendment introduced by Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) that says, "None of the funds contained in this Act 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."
“Pot is de facto legal among young people, except for people of color here and around the country,” Norton says on her website.
“The people of the District of Columbia voted overwhelmingly for Initiative 71 when they learned that virtually only people of color end up with drug arrests for possession of marijuana. It is well worth a fight to retain a local law with racial justice as its centerpiece.”
http://cnsnews.com/blog/eric-scheiner/del-holmes-norton-marijuana-de-facto-legal-most-americans
