Cannabis is illegal at the federal level, as we all know. But it’s also being legalized, gradually, state by state. And this mixed legality leads to some funky situations. For example, California and Oregon—two contiguous states—are both very progressive when it comes to cannabis law. Recreational cannabis has been legal in both states for several years. However, if you own a cannabis business in California, you can’t sell your product in Oregon. That’s because, even though cannabis is fully legal on every inch of land in question, it remains illegal to sell across state lines thanks to federal law. Federal law also creates sticky problems when it comes to banking, making it more complicated for cannabis businesses to operate. And then there’s the problem of Washington, D.C. Residents of the District are accustomed to living without certain benefits that are afforded under the protection of individual states’ rights. And when it comes to cannabis, they might never see legalization until the federal government is ready to legalize it. Then again, maybe they will with the newly introduced Safe Cannabis Sales Act of 2021.
The Safe Cannabis Sales Act of 2021, introduced last month, is aimed at legalizing recreational cannabis sales for residents of D.C. aged 21 and older. This would be a big step forward. Currently, DC residents are allowed to grow, possess, and gift cannabis, but may not sell it. While that’s certainly better than nothing, it makes it impossible for an industry to spring up. And D.C. wants that industry. That’s why they’ve built a 17% sales tax into the Safe Cannabis Sales Act. Like many states that have passed recreational cannabis legislation, D.C. sees the benefit of legalizing cannabis and using the sales tax proceeds to fund other initiatives in the city.
Veriheal has satisfied millions of patients nationwide by giving them access to these benefits
But there have been obstacles to overcome. In 2014, Congress attached a provision to an appropriations bill that stopped D.C. from using its funds to legalize or regulate the sale of cannabis. Part of the reason D.C. has continued to push so hard for legalization is to aid communities of color. It’s widely known that communities of color have been disproportionately victimized by cannabis prohibition and penalties. D.C. officials hope to take steps to rectify that situation with this new legislation. The Safe Cannabis Sales Act of 2021 aims to provide assistance to help people of color enter the cannabis industry and find success there. After years of being victimized by cannabis law, it’s only appropriate that disenfranchised people should be among the greatest beneficiaries of legalization. In addition, D.C. officials hope to funnel a significant amount of the money taken in through sales taxes on cannabis products into rebuilding communities that have been harmed over the years by the War on Drugs.
The answer is a resounding maybe. There are encouraging signs. It’s clear that this is the will of the people of D.C., and legislators may recognize that and wish to honor it. It’s also clear that similar legislation has been nothing but successful in other parts of the country—we have only to look at what’s going on in California or Colorado to see examples of how well cannabis legalization serves populations. In order for it to happen, Congress will have to refrain from preventing D.C. from paying for it. As previously mentioned, that’s not something Congress has allowed in the past. But with a Democrat-controlled House and Senate—traditionally the party more friendly to cannabis reforms—the stars may finally be coming into alignment for Washington, D.C.
Have you ever wondered what it would take to make your own edibles at home? Have you ever been wowed by a friend’s or professional baker’s creations in a 420-friendly kitchen? If so, we can help you achieve those skills on your own. With this guide, you’ll learn the best practices for making cannabutter and turning…
It’s easy to accidentally overdo it when consuming edibles, especially if you don’t know your tolerance or wait long enough before taking more. Perhaps your edible high lasted longer than expected, which can potentially happen when you’re trying a new product. No matter the reason, don’t worry — we have some tips and tricks to…
Few ingredients encapsulate the holiday season and Christmas like cranberries. Their vibrant red hue reminds one of Christmas lights, Santa’s iconic scarlet suit, and Rudolph’s glimmering nose. So, what better way to celebrate this joyous holiday than by giving this iconic Christmas berry a cannabis twist? Our infused Cranberry Christmas Tree Cocktail mixes stunning presentation…
It can be difficult to keep up with all things cannabis — like cannabinoids, terpenes, strains, etc. — unless you’re immersed in it daily. When I first visited a Denver dispensary, I asked the budtender about terpenes. The budtender didn’t have much information for me besides explaining that concentrates with higher terpene content were more…
Whatever your reasons for consuming cannabis during the day, it’s important to know it will affect you. You want to avoid becoming couch-locked when you should be working on something! Unless you’re enjoying a relaxing day off, you likely need to get things done throughout the day — so your cannabis should assist, not prevent,…
Sign up for our newsletter
Get your medical marijuana card today
Sign up in under 5 minutes
