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…

Darryl Moch

Statehood Green

Darrell Green

Republican

Elissa Silverman

IndependentOn the DC Council

1 measure introduced on cannabis35 recorded votes on cannabis5 against the majority

Ward 5 Member of the Council

Vote for 1Race brief →

Zachary Parker

DemocratOn the DC Council

26 recorded votes on cannabis

Joyce Robinson-Paul

Statehood Green

Jeffrey Kihien-Palza

Republican

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 5 Member of the State Board of Education

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Jon Alfuth

Lynn Jennings

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

Ward 5 seeing the second largest gains in ELA proficiency in the city!

Aug 21, 2026X post

In context

The post it quotes, by @OSSEDC

Great news for DC students! 📈 ELA proficiency is on the rise — increasing in 5 of 7 grades and 7 of 8 wards across DC. Progress is happening citywide! Big shoutout to 5th and 8th graders who saw the largest year-over-year improvements! 🔗 https://osse.dc.gov/dccape

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Federal Law Enforcement: My team and I have knocked on thousands of doors across Ward 5 and we’ve heard time and time again that federal law enforcement actions are making students and families feel less safe. Students in Trinidad have been intimidated by National Guard troops since the beginning of the school year. Students at some of our Hispanic-serving charter schools have had to find creative ways just to make sure students can get safely to and from the building due to the presence of ICE.

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In context

Build opportunities for cross Ward community engagement so that parents, students, teachers, and advocates have a collective voice in advocating for safe and healthy learning environments as well as other issues.

Federal Law Enforcement: My team and I have knocked on thousands of doors across Ward 5 and we’ve heard time and time again that federal law enforcement actions are making students and families feel less safe. Students in Trinidad have been intimidated by National Guard troops since the beginning of the school year. Students at some of our Hispanic-serving charter schools have had to find creative ways just to make sure students can get safely to and from the building due to the presence of ICE.

Special Education: We also have heard that students with special needs are being poorly served by our current education system. Reports from the US Department of Education and conversations with neighbors speak to the failures of our current system, including both classroom services and transportation. And too often, when services are delivered they come after severe delays. Students need to have access to the services to which they are entitled in a timely manner. If elected, I would support adding metrics to our state accountability system that track how well schools are serving students…

We can't prepare students for their future if they aren't in school. If elected, I'll focus on working with stakeholders across the city to put in place strategies that support all students in regularly attending school.

Jun 25, 2026X post

We need to make sure that students have access to both rigorous academic experiences and high quality college and career pathways if we're truly going to prepare them to be future ready.

Jun 23, 2026X post

Ensuring safe and healthy learning environments reflects a major priority for families I talk to. This includes safety getting to buildings, in the building, and students feeling supported while at school, as well as supporting our teachers. Read more at https://www.jonforward5.com/

Jun 22, 2026X post jonforward5.com

how the heck do I contact @actblue? I need to change something on my account but you have no public contact information and the form that I keep getting routed to won't go through. What am I supposed to do?

Jun 14, 2026X post

This past week I got to see two of my wonderful former debaters make the case for why they should get credit for their hundreds of hours of debate work every year! Thanks to them for all their hard work in preparing their testimony and the @DCSBOE for listening so intently!

Apr 26, 2026X post

Please reach out to [email protected] for media inquiries. You can also access our media packet here.

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In context

Our smallest canvasser, my son William and I, getting back from a community canvass in Brookland where he knocked on 30 doors!

Please reach out to [email protected] for media inquiries. You can also access our media packet here.

Elevate the voices of both DCPS and charter schools across Ward 5 in funding conversations to make sure that all schools have the financial resources to create safe and healthy learning environments for all students and prepare them for the future.

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In context

As your state board member, I will work towards the following:

Elevate the voices of both DCPS and charter schools across Ward 5 in funding conversations to make sure that all schools have the financial resources to create safe and healthy learning environments for all students and prepare them for the future.

Support increased safety getting to and from schools by ensuring access to safe passage programs for Ward 5 schools and for the many students who travel outside of Ward 5.

“Here is a School Board Candidate that has the planks on his platform that will provide measurable outcomes for our public schools in Ward 5. Increased Literacy Percentages, improved student attendance, and a growing workforce readiness makes up his foundation.”

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In context

Ward 5 Resident, Mom of Four, and Education and Healthcare Advocate

“Here is a School Board Candidate that has the planks on his platform that will provide measurable outcomes for our public schools in Ward 5. Increased Literacy Percentages, improved student attendance, and a growing workforce readiness makes up his foundation.”

Donnie Shaw, Ward 5 Resident and Rotary Club President

Lynn Jennings

Times someone voted against the majority

Elissa Silverman Apr 5, 2016YesNo