cannabis | On the Record

Congress can block DC laws, restrict how local funds are spent, and impose federal budget riders that deny the District revenue. One clear example is cannabis. DC voters legalized possession, but Congress still blocks the District from regulating and taxing recreational sales, denying millions in revenue that could be reinvested in communities harmed by the War on Drugs.

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In context

DC’s budget is under real strain, not because residents are asking for too much, but because revenue is not keeping pace with the economy or with the responsibilities DC is required to carry. The District relies primarily on local property, income, and sales taxes, along with federal funds that make up about a quarter of total revenue. Unlike states, DC must fund both city and state level services, including Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and human services, while lacking full control over its own budget.

Congress can block DC laws, restrict how local funds are spent, and impose federal budget riders that deny the District revenue. One clear example is cannabis. DC voters legalized possession, but Congress still blocks the District from regulating and taxing recreational sales, denying millions in revenue that could be reinvested in communities harmed by the War on Drugs.

At the same time, DC’s tax code and development strategy continue to favor the wealthy. Capital gains, inherited wealth, and high value property remain lightly taxed, while working families carry a disproportionate share of the load. The District has increasingly relied on mechanisms like Opportunity Zones, Tax Increment Financing (TIFs), and long term bonding to spur development without clear accountability for results. Too often, these tools shift risk onto future taxpayers while delivering limited public benefit. Without change, revenue will continue to lag behind economic growth, putting…

Ward 1 Member of the Council

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Manuel Rivera

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Brian L. Schwalb

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Robert Simmons

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Paul Strauss

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Ciprian Ivanof

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And when I was in law school in 2016, it was clear that state governments were salivating over marijuana taxes and that there was a massive lobby. I argued that governments could get addicted to marijuana taxes the way the Russian government got addicted to vodka taxes but that was dismissed without an argument. And now we are seeing more evidence that marijuana doesn't trigger schizophrenia, it causes a schizophrenia-like condition. It time, we will probably recognize marijuana resulting in b

Apr 1, 2026X post

Franklin Garcia

Democrat

Ward 1 Member of the State Board of Education

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Ben Williams

Measures tied to someone on your ballot

12 measures introduced by Robert White

Returning Citizens Cannabis Equity Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (B24-0221)

11 more

33 measures introduced by Phil Mendelson

Medical Cannabis Licensing and Unlicensed Establishment Enforcement Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2026 (B26-0759)

32 more

1 measure introduced by Elissa Silverman

Medical Marijuana Program Patient Employment Protection Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (B24-0184)

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Raising revenue and using our dollars effectively aren't mutually exclusive things - in fact, we need both. We've seen over a decade of mismanaged contracts and patronage by the Bowser admin, and I'm looking forward to working with our new mayor on where we can save costs.

Oct 16, 2026X post

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Because of our density and commercial corridors, Ward 1 is rat central in DC. Really excited to see @Janeese4DC’s rat plans and to bring smart bins and expanded composting to Ward 1, as well as implementing a rat czar!

Oct 15, 2026X post

In context

The post it quotes, by @aparnafordc

As we talk to voters around Ward 1, one issue has come up more than any other: RATS 🐀🚫 Today, we’re releasing our “Ratform” on how we plan to address the rat crisis, part of our larger constituent services platform, Making Government Work For You: https://aparnafordc.com/platform

Trump has ordered the National Guard to occupy DC through the next presidential transition. His federal agents have detained political dissidents and murdered people in broad daylight. Going after political opponents is the next escalation in his abuse of state power.

Oct 12, 2026X post

In context

The post it quotes, by @AP

BREAKING: Federal agents searched Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar's home as part of a criminal investigation, AP sources say. https://apnews.com/article/ilhan-omar-home-searched-8e18c2aea948bd90f4d7a4eb32b9ec3a?taid=6accd54d558573000116c06e&utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter

Choose Your Fighter: Week Without Driving edition! 🥊 This week is a chance to note ways to improve bus times, bike lane connectivity, sidewalk repairs, and more. Whether you ride transit, bike, or are a pedestrian, let's make it easier, faster, and safer to move around DC!

Oct 5, 2026X post

Interested in working in the Ward 1 DC Council office? While our focus right now is the general election, we're also gauging interest from people dedicated to fighting for a better Ward 1 in the Council office. Fill out this form by November 8: https://airtable.com/app5UvQUZgEwGHBB3/pagDsLEGdebUQt45E/form

Oct 2, 2026X post airtable.com

People turned OUT for last night’s Ward One for All town hall for Park View & Pleasant Plains at Hook Hall (& feat. @BenWilliamsDC)! There was lots of energy around expanding tenant protections, renovating the Park View Rec Center, ending MPD collaboration with ICE, and more 💥

Sep 29, 2026X post

This fundamental difference in values was the core of the election. How does DC respond to economic downturns? After historic layoffs, immigrants afraid to go to work, & ERAP falling short, do we try to address why people can’t pay rent or just take an axe to tenant protections?

Sep 29, 2026X post

In context

The post it quotes, by @kristoncapps

@aparnafordc @AshleySchapitl I think any developer would say that investment in DC is more complicated than TOPA yes/no and also that adding tenant protections when DC leads the nation in rental nonpayment will raise eyebrows

Full TOPA restoration means people have a say in what happens to their home. Pathways to homeownership, forming a co-op, or even just getting necessary fixes and agreements from a future landlord. We had universal TOPA until 2018 and periods of development booms with it!

Sep 29, 2026X post

In context

The post it quotes, by @AshleySchapitl

Full TOPA restoration would mean even less housing than is currently in the pipeline.

The people here *are* many of the people actively responding to ICE, trying to keep Congress from messing with DC’s budget, protesting the national guard, and pushing back against DOGE cuts. If people outside of DC cared to see us as our own place, they might know that.

Sep 19, 2026X post

In context

The post it quotes, by @FordFischer

NOW: Protesters march to encircle and symbolically protect Kennedy Center from Trump renaming or demolishing the building.

One year after the occupation started, and it’s dangerously escalating. A surge of armed troops and a helicopter at a school don’t make families feel safe, they just serve to intimidate and keep people living in fear. https://www.washingtonsun.com/metro/dc-federal-agents-park-view-elementary-school

Sep 17, 2026X post washingtonsun.com

Times someone voted against the majority

Elissa Silverman Apr 5, 2016YesNo