Federal Legislation to Protect Marijuana Users in Public Housing Gains Five Bicameral Sponsors

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Federal legislation that would allow those in public housing to use state-legal marijuana without fear of eviction has five sponsors in the in the US House of Representatives and Senate.

The Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act was earlier this year in the US House of Representatives by Congressmember Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), with a companion bill filed in the Senate by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). Since being filed, Congressmember Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have joined as sponsors.

The proposed law would allow the use of marijuana in federally assisted housing, including public housing and Section 8 housing, if the consumer is in compliance with state marijuana laws. This would include medical marijuana in medical marijuana states, as well as recreational marijuana consumers in the 24 states where it’s legal.

“Individuals living in federally funded housing should not fear eviction simply for treating their medical conditions or for seeking a substance legal in their state,” said Rep. Norton when announcing the measure. “Increasingly, Americans are changing their views on marijuana, and it is time that Congress caught up with its own constituents. With so many states improving their laws, this issue should have broad bipartisan appeal because it protects states’ rights.”

Senator Booker said “This legislation challenges the discriminatory practices that still negatively impact tenants in federal housing programs, and ensures that personal choices made in accordance with state law are protected. No one should face eviction or be denied housing for legally using marijuana or treating a medical condition in states where it is permitted.”

The House version of the measure is House Bill 7094 , while the Senate version if Senate Bill 3671 .

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