As your constituent, I am writing to ask you to support Chair Mendelson’s “Comprehensive Legalization and Regulation Act of 2021” to regulate and tax adult-use cannabis sales in D.C. Currently, the “Harris rider”— what Congress has used to block D.C. from regulating cannabis sales — has been omitted from both the House and Senate appropriations bills. This greatly increases D.C.’s chances of finally being able to regulate adult-use cannabis sales. By regulating and taxing cannabis sales, the District will finally be able to ensure cannabis is being sold by licensed businesses and adheres to testing, labeling, and packaging requirements. Regulation also allows for the opportunity to repair the past harms of cannabis prohibition by ensuring that those disproportionately impacted have the opportunity to participate in the legal industry, and tax revenue is reinvested in these communities. Can I count on you to support the Comprehensive Legalization and Regulation Act of 2021?

Chair Mendelson has introduced the “Comprehensive Legalization and Regulation Act of 2021” to regulate and tax adult-use cannabis sales in D.C. The bill would also expunge past cannabis convictions and reinvest in communities disproportionately impacted by prohibition. By regulating and taxing cannabis sales, the District will finally be able to ensure cannabis is being sold by licensed businesses and adheres to testing, labeling, and packaging requirements. Can I count on you to support regulating and taxing cannabis sales in the District?

It has been seven years since voters overwhelmingly approved Initiative 71 to legalize possession and cultivation of cannabis in D.C. for adults 21 and older. Unfortunately, the District has been unable to regulate and tax cannabis because of the federal “Harris rider.” However, this year, the rider has been omitted from both the House and Senate appropriations bills. This greatly increases D.C.’s chances of finally being able to regulate adult-use cannabis sales. Chair Mendelson has introduced the “Comprehensive Legalization and Regulation Act of 2021” to regulate and tax adult-use cannabis sales in D.C. The bill would also expunge past cannabis convictions and reinvest in communities disproportionately impacted by prohibition. As your constituent, I urge you to support the “Comprehensive Legalization and Regulation Act of 2021.”