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 3 Member of the Council

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Matthew Frumin

DemocratOn the DC Council

26 recorded votes on cannabis

Attorney General

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Manuel Rivera

Republican

Brian L. Schwalb

Democrat

United States Senator

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Robert Simmons

Republican

Paul Strauss

Democrat

United States Representative

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Ciprian Ivanof

Republican1 quoted

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 3 Member of the State Board of Education

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Eric Goulet

Aaron Wesolowski

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)

See every matching Council measure (144 measures)

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Whole record

Despite the rain, this morning's Army 10-Miler was such a fun and memorable race. Thanks to all of the U.S. Army servicemembers supporting the runners. We had such a great time! Now, after a power nap, it's back to SBOE campaigning.

Oct 11, 2026X post

In context

The post it quotes, by @EJGoulet

Tonight, it was time to celebrate my younger son’s birthday, who became a teenager today. He wanted to do the Army 10-Miler tomorrow (& maybe be the youngest finisher) b/c you have to be at least 13 to compete. I agreed to run it with him, a decision I may regret by mile 5. (2/2)

9 more

I had an amazing day meeting Ward 3 residents from dawn to dusk… listening to their ideas about how we can keep improving educational outcomes in our city, answering questions, & discussing accomplishments of the DC State Board of Education these past four years. (1/2)

Oct 10, 2026X post

I’m delighted to testify at today’s @councilofdc public hearing on technology in DC schools. @DCSBOE has also received extensive public feedback on this important issue at our monthly public meetings and at a Ward 7/8 community engagement event. (1/5)

Oct 9, 2026X post

This is very positive action for the federal government to be taking in DC & doing it through prevention is great. I contracted West Nile Virus in August 2011. It took my short-term memory & it was 5 months before I could walk up a flight of stairs without being short of breath.

Sep 30, 2026X post

In context

The post it quotes, by @ZachBIsrael

Trump signed an executive order yesterday directing federal agencies to develop and implement, by November 27, a campaign across Washington, D.C. to reduce, by 2028, invasive mosquito populations by 90% & tick populations by 50%: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/eliminating-disease-carrying-pests-and-restoring-enjoyment-of-the-great-outdoors/ @chenderson

Unfortunately, the copperhead disappeared in the 12 minutes it took me to walk back to my house with my dog, gather the snake-capturing gear, & walk back. As an animal lover, born in the Year of the Snake, I was disappointed I couldn’t relocate the snake to nature. (1/3)

Sep 30, 2026X post

In context

The post it quotes, by @EJGoulet

I’ve been searching on site with my amateur snake-capturing gear… work gloves, lacrosse stick, plastic tub for the snake, and old campaign signs to set up barriers. But, the snake appears to have fled the scene. I’ll keep looking for it for another 15 minutes or so. 🐍

On tonight’s edition of Wildlife of the Palisades we’ve got a ~3 foot Eastern Copperhead on the 5600 block of Sherier Place NW. (1/3)

Sep 30, 2026X post

I'm very proud of what we've accomplished, but there's much more work to be done closing the citywide proficiency gap, adding Pre-K in Ward 3, reducing truancy & chronic absenteeism, increasing nurse staffing, & restoring developmentally appropriate kindergarten enrollment. (2/2)

Sep 23, 2026X post

Here is the latest edition of my Ward 3 DC State Board of Education newsletter that is also posted on Ward 3 community listservs. This newsletter focuses on SBOE's approval, this week, of the revised DC high school graduation requirements with four significant changes. (1/4)

Sep 19, 2026X post

The high school graduation requirements will allow students to earn 2.0 credits for proficiency on an assessment test to meet the World Language graduation requirement, which will open pathways for students to have less common languages recognized on their transcripts.

Sep 19, 2026X post

(1) The new requirements add a half-credit of financial literacy to ensure every DC student graduates with knowledge of personal financial management including budgeting, borrowing, & investing. (2) The number of required community service hours is reduced from 100 to 60. (2/4)

Sep 19, 2026X post

Aaron Wesolowski

Times someone voted against the majority

Elissa Silverman Apr 5, 2016YesNo