It’s safe to say that many Washington, D.C., residents are unhappy with a provision in the federal government funding bill that would block the implementation of the district’s ballot measure legalizing weed.
D.C. voters passed a ballot measure in November to legalize marijuana, but the federal government technically has the power to withhold funding for the city government to regulate the sale of the drug or to collect taxes on it. So while the legalization measure can still technically go through, Congress has handcuffed the city government over regulation.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) inserted the language blocking the ballot measure in the omnibus bill because “D.C.’s not a state.”
And it seems District voters have been directing their anger toward him.
According to Harris’ office, the congressman has received just as many complaints about the D.C. provision specifically as he has calls related to the funding bill as a whole.
And while many D.C. residents called Harris to directly complain about the provision related to legal weed, others have called to ask him about unrelated D.C. issues, Harris’ office confirmed.
Some D.C. residents inquired whether Harris could help with issues like trash collection in Washington, D.C., in addition to meddling with the ballot measure legalizing pot.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) did encourage people to complain to Harris about the provision.
DC: Trash not being collected? Street light out? Contact @RepAndyHarrisMD – seems he is very into controlling local dc affairs. #Save71
— NORML (@NORML) December 10, 2014
.@RepAndyHarrisMD “said he had no qualms about interfering with the results of the Nov. 4 election.” Angry? His office phone is 202-225-5311
— NORML (@NORML) December 10, 2014
The group did not specifically ask people to be sarcastic, but did see people go that route, according to NORML Communications director Erik Altieri.
Altieri called Harris’ push to block marijuana legalization in D.C. “a flouting of the democratic system.”
“He deserves to hear from voters from across the United States on this,” he said.
