[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 83 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE MARIJUANA IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING PARITY ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2021

  Ms. NORTON. Madam 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 
Section 8 housing, in compliance with the marijuana laws of the state 
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 and/
or medical marijuana is currently legal in 36 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 it approach to marijuana. 
In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved Eipdiolex, which is 
derived from marijuana. Eipdiolex 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 laws. This bill would similarly 
allow individuals to use marijuana in federally assisted housing in 
compliance with a state's marijuana laws. HUD, like DOJ, should not be 
allowed to enforce federal marijuana laws where states have taken 
action to legalize marijuana.
  Under my bill, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 
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 
housing.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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