Introduction of the Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act. Senator Cory Booker is introducing the companion bill in the Senate. This bill would permit the use of marijuana in federally assisted housing, including public housing and Section 8 housing, in compliance with the marijuana laws of the state (including the District of Columbia) where the property is located.

Individuals living in federally assisted housing should not be denied admission, or fear eviction, for using a legal product. Adult-use marijuana, medical marijuana or both are currently legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia, and over 90 percent of Americans support legalized medical marijuana. Under current federal law, users of drugs that are illegal under federal law, including marijuana, are prohibited from being admitted into federally assisted housing. Moreover, federal law allows landlords to evict residents of federally assisted housing for using illegal drugs.

The federal government has begun to change its approach to marijuana. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved Epidiolex, which is derived from marijuana. Epidiolex is used to treat children who suffer from seizures. Notably, the medicine does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana. For the last several years, Congress has prohibited the Department of Justice (DOJ) from using federal funds to prevent jurisdictions from implementing their medical marijuana law's. This bill would similarly allow individuals to use marijuana in federally assisted housing in compliance with a state's marijuana laws. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), like DOJ, should not be allowed to prevent jurisdictions from implementing their marijuana laws.

Under this bill, HUD must develop regulations that restrict smoking marijuana in federally assisted housing in the same manner and the same locations as HUD restricts smoking tobacco in federally assisted housing.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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