While posters and props are known for appearing on the floors of the Senate and House of Representatives, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) is likely the first member of Congress to pull out a joint — albeit fake — during a hearing.
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Mica unveiled his prop — much to the surprise of those at the hearing — during a House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee hearing Friday on the District of Columbia’s new law decriminalizing marijuana.
“I have this joint here,” the Florida Republican said as he held it up. “Don’t get too excited out there, some of you, this is not a real one. It’s a mock one.”
D.C.’s new law would remove criminal penalties for some marijuana offenses, and under the law, Mica said, people in the District would be legally allowed to possess up to 28 joints. His joint, which he brought to prove a point, held only one gram of marijuana.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) quickly jumped in to ask Mica if he rolled it himself.
“No, I had staff do it,” he replied. “They have more experience.”
Mica is not in favor of decriminalizing marijuana, but he reassured his fellow lawmakers that they were “not here to negate District law.” He did, however, argue that Congress had the right to review D.C. laws as it is a federal district, not a state.
Congress could pass legislation to overturn the District’s law, and the bill would require President Barack Obama’s signature.
The president and the Department of Justice, though, have begun to move toward decriminalizing marijuana.
Mica said no decision has been made on whether the House and Senate will take up legislation to contest the law.
