Boycott of Maryland's 1st congressional district

[1] The boycott was prompted by an appropriation amendment by Maryland Representative Andy Harris that would nullify D.C. laws on marijuana decriminalization.

[2][3] In March 2014, the D.C. Council voted overwhelmingly to eliminate jail time for possession of marijuana, calling it necessary to combat deep racial disparities in drug arrests in the city.

[4][5] The Harris amendment bans the D.C. government from spending any funds on efforts to lessen penalties for Schedule I federal drug crimes.

[8] The interference by Harris was viewed as a defeat for District of Columbia home rule, and the ability of its Democratic mayor and the D.C. council to self-govern.

The groups, collectively representing millions of Americans, pledged a united front in opposing measures that they say "target" the district.

[12] The nonprofit group D.C. Vote called for an all-out boycott of vacation spots in the 1st Congressional District, saying Harris "acted in wanton disregard" of the views of D.C.

"[13] An initiative was launched encouraging businesses to ban Maryland Rep. Andy Harris and his congressional staff from their establishments.

Organizers arranged buses to the Eastern Shore to educate tourists and protest Washingtonians' lack of voting rights, encouraging more calls to Harris' office.