To: Rep. Andy Harris (MD-1)
Rep. Andy Harris: Don't block Marijuana Legalization in DC
Rep. Andy Harris needs to respect the will of DC voters and not block the legalization of marijuana in DC.
Why is this important?
On Election Day, DC residents voted to legalize marijuana. It won in a landslide; the ballot initiative passed 2:1. But now Maryland Republican Congressman Andy Harris is threatening to block the initiative, saying he'll use "all resources available to a member of Congress to stop this action." [1]
Andy Harris represents Maryland's northeast and eastern shore, not Washington DC. And even though DC voters spoke loud and clear at the ballot box, Andy Harris is only hearing the sound of his own voice.
Andy Harris' district isn't even near Washington DC, and Maryland voters -- his own constituents -- haven't spoken on this issue. But because of federal laws giving Congress control of DC, he can use his position in Congress to block, stall and delay city ordinances in Washington DC. That's what he's threatening to do, even though DC voters overwhelmingly voted to legalize marijuana.
If Andy Harris gets his way, he'll prove that the voice of one wealthy Congressperson can overpower the will of hundreds of thousands of everyday residents.
[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/house-republican-vows-to-upend-dc-ballot-measure-legalizing-marijuana/2014/11/05/10304f2c-6508-11e4-9fdc-d43b053ecb4d_story.html
Andy Harris represents Maryland's northeast and eastern shore, not Washington DC. And even though DC voters spoke loud and clear at the ballot box, Andy Harris is only hearing the sound of his own voice.
Andy Harris' district isn't even near Washington DC, and Maryland voters -- his own constituents -- haven't spoken on this issue. But because of federal laws giving Congress control of DC, he can use his position in Congress to block, stall and delay city ordinances in Washington DC. That's what he's threatening to do, even though DC voters overwhelmingly voted to legalize marijuana.
If Andy Harris gets his way, he'll prove that the voice of one wealthy Congressperson can overpower the will of hundreds of thousands of everyday residents.
[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/house-republican-vows-to-upend-dc-ballot-measure-legalizing-marijuana/2014/11/05/10304f2c-6508-11e4-9fdc-d43b053ecb4d_story.html