[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 14 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E75]
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, January 25, 2024

  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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