Norton Prepared to Defeat New Attempt to Overturn Medical Marijuana Laws in the District

Norton Prepared to Defeat New Attempt to Overturn Medical Marijuana Laws in the District

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today assured D.C. residents that she has a strategy to keep the Congress from passing a bill to re-impose the prohibition on medical marijuana in D.C., which was introduced yesterday by Representatives Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Jim Jordan (R-OH).

"Here come the Republicans again, as expected," said Norton. "We fully anticipated this new attempt to overturn D.C.'s medical marijuana bill, just as Republicans attempted and failed to overturn the needle exchange program, as well as same-sex marriage in the District. We have been standing guard and are positioned in both chambers to stop them from interfering with the home-rule prerogatives of D.C. residents."

Congress is still within the 30 legislative day review period to disapprove D.C.'s medical marijuana bill. However, once that time elapses, Congress can still overturn a District law at anytime. Norton's bills for budget and legislative autonomy, which would significantly reduce congressional opportunities to overturn D.C. laws, is now moving through Congress.

In April, the D.C. City Council unanimously passed a tightly structured medical marijuana bill for patients with such illnesses as cancer, glaucoma, or HIV to obtain four ounces of marijuana each month from official dispensaries throughout the city.