Congress May Not Want Pot in DC, but Council Pushes Forward

WASHINGTON (AP) – While it's uncertain whether Congress will allow the District of Columbia to make further changes to its marijuana laws, the D.C. Council is pushing ahead.

The council will hold a hearing Monday on a proposal to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol and a bill that would ban potential employers from testing people for marijuana until after they are hired.

Last year, District voters approved an initiative that legalized possession of pot for recreational use. Congress then passed a spending bill that sought to halt legalization. District leaders argue that because of vague language in the bill, they can still legalize marijuana, but they can't tax or regulate it.

That doesn't stop the council from taking up the bill, but it would need an OK from Congress to become law.