President Biden Continues to Block Cannabis Sales in Washington D.C. for the Third Time

President Biden Halts Cannabis Sales in Washington D.C. for the Third Time

President Joe Biden has once again refused to lift the provision that has prevented Washington DC from implementing a system of adult-use marijuana sales. This move has disappointed advocates who have been pushing for the legalization of marijuana for years.

Biden's budget request for Fiscal Year 2024 maintains the appropriations rider that prevents Justice Department interference in the state- and territory-level medical cannabis programs. However, the president has consistently targeted D.C.'s autonomy on marijuana commerce for the third year in a row.

The president's budget appendix, released on Monday, proposes to keep riders intact to safeguard the legal hemp industry from federal intervention and to restrict funding for the promotion of legalizing Schedule I drugs.

Advocates have been disappointed by Biden's refusal to lift the D.C. cannabis provision, which has prevented the district from using local tax dollars to implement a system of adult-use marijuana sales. For advocates, this move is particularly disappointing, given that Biden's policy on cannabis has been a major talking point for him and his administration but has been mixed at best.

President Biden has frequently discussed his belief that nobody should be in jail over cannabis. In October, he signed a mass marijuana pardon for people who have committed federal possession offenses and directed an administrative review into cannabis scheduling. However, his pardon in October fell short of his campaign promises, according to his supporters and critics.

When Biden took office, he fired five of his White House staffers who admitted to using marijuana after being asked. This move was criticized by advocates who pointed out that Biden's stance on marijuana has been inconsistent.

Meanwhile, D.C. lawmakers have taken several steps to expand cannabis access while being bound by the Harris rider. In January, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed legislation that contains a provision allowing adults to self-certify as medical marijuana patients without a doctor's recommendation, effectively circumventing the congressional blockade.

The constant interference by Congress and the Biden administration is preventing D.C. from governing itself and allowing the sale of marijuana within the district. Advocates argue that this is a violation of D.C.'s autonomy and that it goes against the will of the people.

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has been critical of the administration for its stance on preventing D.C.'s statehood and its stance on marijuana policy. In an interview with Marijuana Moment, she said

“For the third time in his presidency, the president’s proposed budget would, unfortunately, block D.C. from spending its own local funds to commercialize marijuana,”

President Biden's refusal to lift the provision preventing D.C. from implementing a system of adult-use marijuana sales has disappointed advocates who have been pushing for legalization for years. While D.C. lawmakers have taken steps to expand cannabis access, they are still bound by the Harris rider. Advocates are hoping that the Biden administration will take a more progressive stance on marijuana in the future and work towards the legalization of cannabis nationwide.