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Councilmembers Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) and David Grosso (I-At Large) introduced an amendment to D.C.’s medical marijuana bill last month, which would scrub the list of qualifying condition for a pot prescription, instead allowing physicians to determine if a patient would benefit from medical marijuana.

Next month, Alexander and Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) will hold a joint public hearing, as chairs of the Committee on Health and the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, on the proposed amendment, along with another amendment which would “increase the number of living marijuana plants medical marijuana centers can possess at any time.”

Despite legalizing the use of medical marijuana, the District’s medical marijuana laws are among the most restrictive in the country. But the Council is looking to change that. Speaking with DCist last month, Grosso says these amendments are “a big deal and big shift,” and he hopes “we can get it through [the Council] quickly.

Even with these new amendments, however, D.C.’s medical marijuana laws will still be pretty restrictive, Grosso says. Mostly, because of the complicated process involved for doctors to write prescriptions. “You’re not going to see a bunch of doctors [writing] new prescriptions,” Grosso says, “maybe about three or four [who will be] willing to write prescriptions.”

Wells and Alexander’s hearing will be held on June 12 at 11 a.m. at the Wilson Building. Both Committees invite the public to testify, which they can by emailing Nicole Goines at ngoines@dccouncil.us by June 10.