Can you imagine if the state you lived in permitted you to take a medication for your health, but if you took this medicine you could find yourself kicked out of your home? This insane predicament is what some Coloradoans find themselves facing–even if they have a medicinal marijuana license. The problem arises from a conflict between state and federal law.
Currently, the State of Colorado permits certain individuals to have and use marijuana (in limited quanitities and in certain locations) and only if they receive a medical marijuana license. As the Denver Post noted, however, obtaining a license may only be the beginning for some people who live in federally subsidized housing:
[Bill] Hewitt, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, is a card-carrying medical- marijuana user. And he is living in this worn-down travel trailer because he was evicted from federally subsidized housing on account of his marijuana use.
The difference between Colorado’s legal acceptance of marijuana for medical use and federal law, which categorizes marijuana as an illegal drug, is resulting in a housing quandary for the disabled.
Even with the state’s OK to use medical marijuana, people such as Hewitt can’t live in federal housing or receive federal subsidies for rent under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development still defines marijuana use, even with a state approved license, as “substance abuse” and marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Although lawsuits have challenged this policy, none have yet been successful. In the interim, we can unfortunately expect to meet more people like Mr. Hewitt.
Hewitt is fearing winter in his little trailer. He said the owner has told him it will be like an icebox. And he has to make his way about 50 yards across a lot to use a restroom in a former gas station.
“It’s a lot harder than living in a house,” he said. “But the peace and the freedom is so worth it.”
For more: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13219609?source=rss
Filed under: Marijuana
