Stop Evicting People For Weed In States Where It’s Legal: NJ Senator

NEWARK, NJ — Marijuana is now legal for adults in New Jersey and dozens of other states across the nation. And it is finally time to stop putting cannabis users at risk of eviction if they live in states where it’s been legalized, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker says.

On Thursday, Booker – a resident of Newark, New Jersey – joined with U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) to reintroduce the Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act.

If the federal bill becomes law, it would ensure that people living in federally funded housing – including Section 8 housing – would not be denied admission or face eviction for using cannabis in states where usage is legal. Read the full text here.

Here’s why the law is needed, according to Booker:

“Under current federal law, landlords are able to evict residents of federally assisted housing for drug use, even if the substance is legal in the state where the property is located. Both adult use and medical use of marijuana are legal in 38 states and Washington D.C., and over 90 percent of Americans support legalized medical marijuana.”

If the Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act is passed, here are three things it would do, Booker said:

PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS – “Amends the United States Housing Act to prohibit legal action against tenants in federal housing that are taking part in the sale, distribution, use, or possession of marijuana in compliance with the law of the state in which the manufacture, sale, distribution, use, or possession takes place.”

RESTRICTIONS FOR LANDLORDS – “Restricts a public housing agency or an owner of federally assisted housing from establishing standards prohibiting admission to the federal housing program or admission to federally assisted housing for any household with a member who engages in the use, distribution, possession, sale, or manufacture of marijuana that complies with the law of the State.”

SAME AS TOBACCO – “Directs [the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] to issue regulations that restrict smoking marijuana in federally assisted housing in the same manner and same locations as the Secretary restricts smoking tobacco in public housing.”

“This legislation challenges the discriminatory practices that still negatively impact tenants in federal housing programs, and ensures that personal choices made in accordance with state law are protected,” Booker said.

“No one should face eviction or be denied housing for legally using marijuana or treating a medical condition in states where it is permitted,” he added.

• See Related: 5 Things You Need To Know About Marijuana Legalization In NJ
• See Related: NJ Clears Way For Weed Lounges, Cannabis Consumption Areas

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