[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE MARIJUANA IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING PARITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2018

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Marijuana in 
Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act. My bill would permit the use of 
marijuana in federally assisted housing, including public housing and 
the Section 8 housing program, in compliance with the marijuana laws of 
the state where the property is located.
  Individuals living in federally funded public housing should not be 
denied admission, or fear eviction, for using a legal product. The use 
of recreational and/or medicinal marijuana is currently legal in 29 
states and the District of Columbia, and over 90 percent of Americans 
support legalized medical marijuana. Under current federal law, the 
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 current residents for 
drug use. Even the Food and Drug Administration has recently supported 
approving certain medication made from cannabis, including Epidiolez, 
which would be administered as a syrup. Epidiolez is used to treat 
children who suffer from seizures. Notably, the drug does not contain 
tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
  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 laws. This bill would similarly 
allow individuals to use marijuana in federally assisted housing in 
compliance with the state's marijuana laws.
  Under my bill, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development must 
also develop regulations that restrict smoking marijuana in federally 
assisted housing in the same manner and to the same locations as the 
Secretary restricts smoking tobacco in federally assisted public 
housing.
  The Department of Housing and Urban Development, like the DOJ, should 
not be allowed to enforce federal marijuana laws where states have 
taken action to legalize marijuana. The Marijuana in Federally Assisted 
Housing Parity Act states that a person may not be denied federally 
assisted housing based on the use of marijuana in compliance with the 
marijuana laws of the state where the property is located.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

                          ____________________