Delaware House approves legalization bill

Lawmakers in the Delaware House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill legalizing adult-use marijuana in the state — but the governor’s veto pen remains hanging over the effort.

According to the Delaware News Journal, which noted that the measure received two votes from Democratic lawmakers who had previously not supported cannabis legalization, the bill passed the chamber by a bipartisan vote of 28-13.

The only Democrat voted against, the paper said, was the party leader in the chamber, House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf.

Schwartzkopf isn’t the only senior Delaware Democrat to break with his party against the legalization of cannabis — a policy supported by a large majority of Democratic voters nationwide and practically closed among Democrats in Washington and state houses across the country a mainstream position has become country.

The Democratic Gov. of Delaware, John Carney, has spoken out strongly against the legalization of marijuana.

After a similar bill was passed by both chambers of the Delaware General Assembly last year, Carney vetoed the measure and lawmakers failed to garner enough votes to override the veto.

“[The legalization bill] would, among other things, eliminate all penalties for the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana by a person 21 years of age or older and ensure that there are no criminal or civil penalties for the gratuitous transfer of an ounce or less of marijuana between persons who are Are 21 or older,” Carney said in his veto statement at the time.

“I recognize the beneficial effects that marijuana can have for people with certain health conditions and for that reason I continue to support the medical marijuana industry in Delaware,” the governor continued. “I supported marijuana decriminalization because I agree that people shouldn’t be jailed just for possessing and using a small amount of marijuana for personal use — and today, thanks to Delaware’s decriminalization law, they aren’t.”

“However, I do not believe that promoting or expanding recreational marijuana use is in the best interest of the state of Delaware, particularly our young people,” Carney added. “Questions about the long-term health and economic effects of recreational marijuana use, as well as serious law enforcement concerns, remain unresolved.”

Undeterred, the Democrats, who still hold the majority in the General Assembly, renewed their legalization offensive in January.

“My hope is that continued open dialogue with the governor’s office will help mitigate a veto,” House Representative Ed Osienski, a Democrat who supports the new law, said earlier this year. “I have more support from my members… for a veto, but I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Early signs aren’t good, as a spokesman for the governor said earlier this year that his position on marijuana remains unchanged.

Nevertheless, the Democrats continue. According to the Delaware News Journal, “The bill is now making its way to the Senate, where it is expected to be passed. The question looming is whether Democrats will have the political support this time around to override another possible Carney veto.”

The newspaper has more details on the latest legalization proposals in the General Assembly:

“House Bill 1 would remove all penalties for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana for persons 21 and older. This law required a simple majority of 21 votes. Marijuana is now decriminalized in Delaware. The second law, HB 2, would create a framework to regulate the cultivation, sale and possession of weed. Lawmakers say marijuana would be regulated and taxed the same way as alcohol. This bill requires a three-fifths vote because it is about revenue and taxes. It is expected to be voted on soon.”