Reading Room Document

Proposed District of Columbia Uniform Controlled Substances Act

The document is a memorandum opinion on the proposed District of Columbia Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The conclusion reached is that the District of Columbia Council does not have the authority to enact Section 503 of the bill, as it would conflict with the right of the United States under 21 U.S.C. § 881 to property forfeited on controlled substances grounds. The questions presented for review include whether the District of Columbia Council has the authority to enact Section 503 of the proposed bill and whether the bill would give the District a competing claim to property in which the United States now possesses the sole right of forfeiture.

September 12, 1977