{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://norton.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/norton-releases-faq-page-on-dc-marijuana-provision-in-omnibus", "Norton Releases FAQ Page on D.C. Marijuana Provision in Omnibus", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Since discussing an alternative interpretation of the anti-home-rule marijuana rider in the fical year 2015 omnibus spending bill, the Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has received inquiries on the legal basis for implementing the District of Columbia\u2019s voter-passed marijuana legalization intiative.\u00a0 The Office is releasing a new web page, www.norton.house.gov/Initiative71, with frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers for District residents and the general public on the legal basis for the implementation of the initiative.\nThe web page, now live, follows:\nFrequently Asked Questions on Implementing D.C.\u2019s Marijuana Legalization Initiative\n\u00a0\nQuestion: Does the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Omnibus), which prohibits the District of Columbia from using local funds \u201cto enact any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties\u201d for marijuana, block D.C.\u2019s marijuana legalization initiative (Initiative 71), which allows the possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana?\nAnswer: Most likely no.\u00a0 D.C. can implement Initiative 71 after the expiration of the congressional review period unless a resolution of disapproval overturning it is enacted during that period or other legislation is enacted before, during or after that period that blocks or overturns it.\nQuestion: Does the Omnibus prevent D.C. from implementing Initiative 71?\nAnswer: Most likely no.\u00a0 The plain meaning of the provision and principles of statutory interpretation support implementation of the initiative.\u00a0 The original version of the provision said D.C. may not \u201cenact or carry out any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties\u201d for marijuana.\u00a0 \u201cCarry out\u201d was dropped from the Omnibus.\nQuestion: Does Congress need to take additional action for Initiative 71 to take effect?\nAnswer:\u00a0 No.\u00a0 Under the D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973, an initiative \u201cshall take effect\u201d upon the expiration of the congressional review period unless a resolution of disapproval is enacted during that period, in which case the initiative \u201cshall be deemed to have [been] repealed\u201d.\u00a0 A measure can be repealed only if it had been enacted in the first place. \u00a0\nQuestion:\u00a0 Does D.C. need to enact additional laws or regulations to implement Initiative 71?\u00a0\nAnswer: Most likely no.\u00a0 The initiative is self-executing by its terms.\u00a0 It requires no additional enactment of laws or regulations to be implemented.\nQuestion: Has Initiative 71 already been enacted?\nAnswer: Most likely yes.\u00a0 Initiative 71 was enacted when it was approved by voters in November 2014.\nQuestion: Do Members of Congress and Leadership support the position that D.C. has a strong legal case for implementing Initiative 71?\nAnswer: Yes.\u00a0 Many of the Omnibus\u2019 negotiators believe D.C. can implement the initiative, including House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey and House Appropriations D.C. Subcommittee Ranking Member Jose Serrano.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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": ["http://norton.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/norton-releases-faq-page-on-dc-marijuana-provision-in-omnibus"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9578224271535873, "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"}