The Delaware House of Representatives has approved a bill that would legalize marijuana possession and retail licensing, bringing the state one step closer to becoming the latest to legalize recreational marijuana. The bill, titled House Bill 2, also known as the Delaware Marijuana Control Act, is seen as a major breakthrough in marijuana reform in the state.
The bill, proposed by Representative David M. Delloso (D-Delaware), was co-sponsored by Representatives Andria L. Bennett, Paul S. Baumbach, and Ed Osienski. The bill was passed in the House by a vote of 24-16, and is expected to be voted on in the Senate in the near future.
The Delaware Marijuana Control Act seeks to regulate and control the sale and possession of marijuana in the state. The bill would remove all penalties for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana for those ages 21 and older. The bill would also establish licensing requirements for potential marijuana retailers, as well as provisions to ensure equity in the licensing process.
The passage of this bill has been met with both optimism and caution. While many believe it is a step in the right direction, there are still many questions surrounding the implications of legalizing marijuana in the state. For example, while the bill would remove penalties for possession, it would not remove federal penalties, which could still be enforced. Additionally, the bill does not address other issues related to the legalization of marijuana, such as the decriminalization of other drugs and the taxation and regulation of the sale of marijuana.
Another issue is that the bill does not address the question of how marijuana would be taxed and regulated. This is an important question, as the taxation and regulation of marijuana could have an impact on the state's economy. Additionally, the taxation and regulation of marijuana could also have an impact on the availability of marijuana to those who need it for medical reasons.
The bill has also been met with opposition from some who don't believe that marijuana should be legalize. This opposition has been particularly strong in Delaware County, where a referendum on recreational marijuana legalization was voted down by a margin of 50.51 percent no votes to 49.49 percent yes votes.
Despite this opposition, the bill is seen as a major step forward in the legalization of marijuana in the state. With the passage of the bill, Delaware may become the next state to legalize recreational marijuana, joining other states like Minnesota, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Delaware who have already legalize the drug.
