In recognition of the state and federal efforts towards legalizing cannabis, a congresswoman has asked for marijuana plants near the Capitol to be displayed in the U.S. Botanic Gardens in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, (D-DC), wrote to the executive of the living plant, which is operated by Congress, and located near the U.S. Capitol Building on Wednesday to request that both males and females marijuana plants be included in the national garden.
Norton thanked the Botanic Garden for displaying hemp, which is federally legal and part of their collection. She and other legislators had requested this in a letter sent in 2021. She says it’s now time to showcase marijuana despite federal prohibition.
In light of the economic impact, I requested that the Botanic Garden display marijuana plants in its first ever exhibition.
It’s great that it has now complied with my request to display hemp.
More: https://t.co/rrfsXgcHiF
Eleanor Holmes Norton, #DCStatehood (@EleanorNorton), 11 May 2023 HTML0
The congresswoman added that “more and more states as well as federal government are beginning to legalize different forms of cannabis.”
She cited statistics on cannabis sales and tax revenues to illustrate the impact marijuana has had on American society, and especially the American economy.
Norton requested that the Botanic Garden Director respond to her request before May 24.
As the congresswoman stated, it’s unclear when the institution began displaying hemp. The institution is also not sure if they will display marijuana, given that it’s illegal under federal law. Marijuana Moment contacted the Botanic Garden to get clarification but no representative was available.
Norton pointed out that congressional lawmakers pursued federal legalization – and Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer announced his plans to reintroduce in this session. However, the chances of ending prohibition with the current divided Congress are slim.
The focus of lawmakers has been on incremental changes, like a bipartisan plan to solve banking issues in the marijuana industry, which was addressed at a Senate Banking Committee hearing held on Thursday.
—
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and drug policy bills that have been introduced in state legislatures, and Congress. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
Norton has also been an outspoken advocate of cannabis reform at the Congress. She has, for example, repeatedly fought to eliminate a longstanding appropriations riders which continues to prevent D.C. using local tax dollars to implement an regulated marijuana sale system.
District voters approved cannabis cultivation and possession for adults in 2014. Local legislators are preparing to implement commercial regulations once the spending bill riders is lifted. However, there are no licensed recreational retailers currently operating in this jurisdiction.
The Botanic Garden, located in Washington, D.C., where simple cultivation and possession is allowed, is on federal land. This makes it difficult to cultivate a Schedule I substance on the site.
While the federal government oversees marijuana cultivation facilities, and has even provided cannabis to selected patients in the past, these plants are intended only for research purposes.
Schumer Booker and Wyden renew call for Marijuana Expunctions to be Added to Banking Bill After Committee Hearing
Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
The post Congresswoman Requests National Botanic Garden to Grow Marijuana Outside of the U.S. Capitol first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
