D.C. Marijuana Bill Would Encourage Formerly Incarcerated People To Work In Legal Industry

A Washington, D.C. councilman introduced a bill this week that would expand opportunities for formerly incarcerated people to participate in the medical marijuana market.

Councilman Robert White (D) said on Monday that there’s “no reason why those who’ve paid their debt to society should be locked out of this industry any longer.”

In addition to ending the ban on industry participation by most people with felony convictions, his bill, which currently has four cosponsors, would establish two programs meant to encourage cannabis business ownership by so-called “returning citizens.”