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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Senate Bill Would Bar Federally Assisted Housing from Evicting Tenants Over Legal Marijuana Use

Also known as: Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(2)
Child Tax Credit
Neutral
Criminal Record
Neutral
Positive Impacts(3)
Housing Assistance
Helps
Renter
Helps
Cannabis User
Helps

Key Points

  • Would stop public housing agencies and federally assisted housing owners from denying housing just because someone uses marijuana in a way that is legal in their state.
  • Says marijuana activity that follows state law should not count as “criminal activity” or “illegal drug use” for key housing admission and eviction-related rules.
  • Applies across major federally assisted housing programs, including public housing and voucher-style assistance, where “drug-related criminal activity” rules are used.
  • Keeps smoke-free rules in place: HUD would have to treat marijuana smoking the same way it treats tobacco smoking in public housing.
  • Tells HUD’s Secretary not to block or discourage state-legal marijuana activity in federally assisted housing, while still allowing smoke-free limits.
HousingDrug PolicyConsumer Protection

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 17, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After HUD guidance/rules are released

Public housing agencies and participating landlords update admission and screening policies

Applicants and tenants in states where marijuana is legal should see fewer denials based only on marijuana use/possession that follows state law. You may still have to follow other lease and safety rules.

Soon after policies are updated

Tenants and applicants begin using the new rule to challenge denials or terminations tied to state-legal marijuana activity

If you’re denied or threatened with losing assistance based only on marijuana that is legal in your state, you may have a clearer basis to appeal or file a complaint under program rules.

Related News

4 articles
The Marijuana Herald·6 days ago

U.S. Congress: Every Cannabis Bill Under Consideration in 2026, From Nationwide Descheduling to Housing Protections

The Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act of 2025 would prohibit public housing authorities and other federally assisted housing providers from denying admission to, or evicting, individuals solely for using marijuana in compliance with state law.

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Marijuana Moment·3 months ago

New Congressional Bill Would Let People Use Marijuana In Public Housing Without Being Evicted

Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton filed the 'Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act' to protect residents in federally assisted housing from displacement for using cannabis in states where it is legal. It also requires HUD to regulate smoking like tobacco.

CL=
Truthout·almost 2 years ago

Federally Subsidized Tenants Are Being Evicted for Pot Even Where It's Legal

Discusses the legal disparity where Section 8 and public housing tenants face eviction for marijuana use legal in their states. Highlights the Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act as a solution to address historic inequities in drug law enforcement.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 3537
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.