A Republican lawmaker who has built a reputation as one of the staunchest opponents of marijuana reform in Congress—and whose record includes ensuring that Washington, D.C. officials are blocked from legalizing recreational cannabis sales—may be at risk of being unseated in November due to redistricting in his state.
The Maryland House of Delegates on Monday approved a congressional redistricting proposal that would leave Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) especially vulnerable in the next election, according to analysts, giving Democrats an advantage in the state’s first congressional district for the first time since the last map was drawn in 2011.
Harris, the only GOP lawmaker in Maryland’s eight-member U.S. House delegation, has been a critical voice against D.C. autonomy on a number of issues, including marijuana reform. And as chair of the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies subcommittee, he’s been uniquely positioned to maintain that agenda.
The so-called Harris rider that’s been annually renewed in appropriations legislation covering Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) since 2014—the same year that District voters approved a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for adult use. The provision prevents D.C. from using its local tax dollars to implement a system of
Read full article on Marijuana Moment
