{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-requests-display-marijuana-us-botanic-garden", "Norton Requests Display of Marijuana at U.S. Botanic Garden", "2023-05-11", "2023", "2023-05", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote to the U.S. Botanic Garden requesting it begin displaying marijuana for the first time after the Botanic Garden recently displayed hemp for the first time in its history. Norton had previously requested that the Botanic Garden display hemp.\n\n\u201cAs individual states and the country as a whole are moving toward the legalization of marijuana, having a display with male and female marijuana plants would be a historic opportunity to highlight the impact of marijuana on American society and, especially, the American economy,\u201d Norton wrote.\n\nThe full letter follows.\n\nMay 10, 2023\n\nDr. Susan K. Pell\n\nExecutive Director\n\nUnited States Botanic Garden\n\nWashington, DC 20001\n\nDear Dr. Pell:\n\nAs you are aware, I worked with your predecessor, Dr. Saharah Moon Chaptoin, regarding the display of hemp and marijuana at the U.S. Botanic Garden. I am very pleased that the Botanic Garden recently began displaying hemp for the first time. I am writing to request that the Botanic Garden also display marijuana for the first time.\n\nMore and more states, as well as the federal government, are beginning to legalize various forms of cannabis. In recent years, the House of Representatives has passed several bills that would have descheduled cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.\n\nAs individual states and the country as a whole are moving toward the legalization of marijuana, having a display with male and female marijuana plants would be a historic opportunity to highlight the impact of marijuana on American society and, especially, the American economy. According to recent statistics, states that legalized marijuana sales collected an estimated 20% more in taxes on retail marijuana sales than on the sale of alcohol products in 2021. Twenty-one states and D.C. have legalized adult use marijuana. Cannabis sales are projected to reach approximately $33.6 billion by the end of this year and as much as $53.5 billion by 2027.\n\nI appreciate your consideration of this request. I request a response in writing by May 24, 2023.\n\nSincerely,\n\nEleanor Holmes Norton\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:55:44Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-requests-display-marijuana-us-botanic-garden"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.617336180061102, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}